Our History

William Perry Gray (1821-1900)

Wlliam P. Gray and his wife, Catherine, originally from Fort Covington, New York , purchased a 200-acre farm at Laramie Avenue near Irving Park Road in 1844.  They had seven children, but three died in the diphtheria epidemic of 1872.

Although William was listed as a farmer in the census, he was also very active in local politics.  In 1850, he was one of the original organizers of Jefferson Township.  He served the township as the first President of the Board of Supervisors, Commissioner of Highways, Drainage Commissioner and Justice of the Peace.  When the village of Jefferson was organized in 1870, he served as Trustee and Village President.

In 1868, William P. Gray was a Master Mason and responsible for the safety of lodge property and delivery of the property to the Providence Lodge #711.  By 1872, William assisted in the formation of a new lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons in small village of Jefferson, Illinois. 

The Gray farm was sold in 1888 and William and his second wife Louisa moved to a house on Milwaukee Avenue near Carmen Avenue.  79-year old William Gray died on November 11, 1900.  The Gray School at 3720 N. Laramie, built in 1911 is named after him and was constructed across the street from the location of Gray's Farm.  When the school was build, William's youngest son, Herbert Gray, presented a gift of $500 in his father's name to the school's principal.  The money was donated to the school's library facilities.

Northwest Chicago Historical Society

Your Neighborhood Historical Society
Newsletter - July 2012, Number XVI

New Addition to Gray School

2013 Kindergarten Modular Program

Pictures courtesy of
PUBLIC BUILDING COMMISSION OF CHICAGO