Julius Alexander Gray (Greensboro, NC)
Julius Alexander Gray (Sep. 6, 1833 – Apr. 14, 1891)
Biography
- Name: Julius Alexander Gray
- Birth: September 6, 1833 Randolph Co., North Carolina
- Death: April 14, 1891 Greensboro, North Carolina
Early life and family
Julius Alexander Gray was born in Randolph County, North Carolina near Thomasville, September 6, 1833. He was the son of General Alexander Gray, who was for a long time a member of the state senate and commander of the North Carolina militia during the war of 1812 at Wadesboro. His mother was Sarah Harper Gray. In 1850 he entered Davidson College, from which he graduated in 1853. In 1858 he married Miss Emma Victoria Morehead.
The Edgeworth Seminary building in Greensboro burned to the ground in 1872. It was owned by Mr. Gray who was using it as a residence and it was insured for $10,000. In 1873, he ran streets through the Edgeworth property and developed desirable building lots.
He was a member of the Elmwood Masonic Lodge and was Treasurer in 1872. He was a trustee of the Independent Order of Good Templars in 1873.
Banking and business career
In 1855 he was made teller of the Bank of Cape Fear in Greensboro while Mr. Jesse H. Lindsay, his brother-in-law, was president. In 1858 he was made cashier of the Bank of Danville, Virginia, and in the same year married Miss Emma, daughter of Gov. Jno. M. Morehead. After spending some time in Florida because of failing health in 1860, he took complete charge of the Morehead Mills at Leaksville, and was in 1862 made an officer of the CSA in the treasury department at Richmond, which position he held until the close of the war. In 1869 Mr. Gray became cashier of the Bank of Greensboro with Jesse H. Lindsay as president. This institution converted into the National Bank of Greensboro in 1876. Being elected in 1875 as president of the Cape Fear and Yadkin Valley (C.F. & Y.V.) Railway Company, he resigned that position, but was elected in 1887 as president of the National Bank of Greensboro and held that position until he passed away. Colonel Gray was a director of the R. & A. [probably the Raleigh and Augusta Air Line Railroad], Atlantic and North Carolina, and North Carolina railroads, besides being connected with a good many other companies. Besides all this he was a leading spirit in nearly every enterprise that was projected for the welfare and up-building of Greensboro. In forming his syndicate to purchase the state's interest in the C.F. & Y.V. road, he drew around him men who were able and always willing to lend him their support, and in the building of that road from 40 to over 300 miles, did a work for North Carolina of greater magnitude than any enterprise ever completed in the state by any other company. His generosity and extreme liberality were prominent traits of his character; his enterprise and public spirit was unbounded.
Later life and death
Col. Julius A. Gray died at approximately 6 PM Tuesday, April 14, 1891. His residence for years had been the old Morehead Homestead, "Blandwood," which he loved and beautified. This sad intelligence of his death spread rapidly through the city of Greensboro, and though not a surprise, the expression, “how sad," fell from many lips. One of Greensboro’s favorite and most highly esteemed citizens, surrounded by those who loved him, passed away. He had been ill with pneumonia for some time, and for several days, but little hope of his recovery was entertained. The death of this distinguished man would be heard with sorrow throughout the state. His place would not be filled again. He left his wife, two sons, Percy, assistant president of the Cape Fear and Yadkin Valley Railroad, and Morehead, whose health is now in a critical condition, and three daughters, two of whom were married. The National Bank building, the armory of the Guilford Grays, the C.F. & Y.V. railroad offices and all the locomotives were draped in mourning. The funeral services were held at West Market Street Methodist Church on Thursday afternoon, at 2:30 o'clock, Dr. J. Henry Smith officiating. The interment was immediately thereafter in Greene Hill Cemetery.
Bank Officer Summary
During his banking career, Julius A. Gray was involved with the following bank(s):
- Bank of Cape Fear in Greensboro, NC: Teller 1855-1857
- Danville Bank, Danville, VA: Cashier 1858...1859
- National Bank, Greensboro, NC (Charter 2322): President 1887-1891; Cashier 1876-1882
Sources
- Julius Alexander Gray on Findagrave.com
- Banks & Bankers Historical Database (1782-1935)
- The Greensboro Patriot, Thu., June 13, 1872.
- The Daily Era, Raleigh, NC, Mon., Oct. 21, 1872.
- The State Chronicle, Raleigh, NC, Wed., Apr. 15, 1891.
- Greensboro North State, Greensboro, NC, Thu., Apr. 16, 1891.