In 1886, the Governor of Indiana, Isaac P. Gray (from Randolph County, Indiana) issued the following proclamation;

Isaac P. Gray   (October 18, 1828 – February 14, 1895) was an Indiana Governor from Union City, Indiana.

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ISAAC PUSEY GRAY, the nineteenth Governor of Indiana, was born near Downington, Chester County, Pennsylvania, October 18, 1828. When eight years old, his family moved to Ohio and settled at New Madison. Here Isaac grew to manhood and became proprietor of a dry goods store.

 In 1855 he removed to Union City, Indiana, where he soon became one of its leading citizens. He at first embarked in the dry goods business, but later went into banking. He studied law in his spare time and was admitted to the bar. After several years of successful practice and upon the breaking out of the war, he enlisted and became Captain of the Fourth Indiana Cavalry, but was forced to resign on account of ill health. He also raised and organized the 147th regiment of Indiana Volunteers and was Colonel of the 105th Indiana regiment (minute men).

 At the close of the war he returned to Union City and established the Citizens Bank. In 1868 he was elected State Senator from Randolph County on the Republican ticket. Becoming dissatisfied with the administration of President Grant, he joined the Greeley Liberal Movement in 1872, and from that time acted with the Democrats. He was in 1876 nominated by acclamation for Lieutenant-Governor of Indiana and was elected. In 1880 he was a candidate for the nomination for Governor, but lost it by four votes. He was Lieutenant-Governor under Governor Williams. When the latter died in November, 1880, Gray became Governor.

 He was nominated and elected to the same position in 1884 and served the full term. Governor Gray was highly respected and was the recognized leader of his party in Indiana. Four years after completing his term as Governor, he was appointed by President Cleveland, Minister to Mexico. He returned to Indianapolis on leave of absence in 1895 to attend the farewell reception given by Governor Matthews. On the journey back to Mexico he was stricken with paralysis and died soon after his arrival at the City of Mexico. The date of his death was February 14, 1895.

Source; Governors of Indiana; By Chas. J. Oval; 1916

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Governor Gray was a Civil War Veteran. One of Col. Gray’s  skirmish reports is detailed below;

Report of Col. Isaac P. Gray, Fourth Indiana Cavalry, of skirmish near Green’s Chapel, Ky.

Munfordville, December 31,1862.

Colonel : In accordance with your order, I took the forces under my command, consisting of two companies of the Fourth Indiana Cavalry and two companies of the Fifth Indiana Cavalry, and proceeded to scout the road. I had just reached the pike Avith the column when my advance, which was about 1 mile ahead, was fired upon by the advance of the enemy. I immediately ordered the fences to be thrown down on each side of the road, and directed Captain Purdy’s company, of Fourth Indiana Cavalry, to proceed through the field on the right of the pike, and form his company in line of battle. He had just got his company formed when the enemy came on at full speed, on a charge, 300 strong, and, when within shooting distance, commenced firing.

 I sent Lieutenant Smith, in command of Company C, of Fifth Indiana Cavalry, through the field on the left of the pike, and ordered him to proceed down a hollow in the field out of view of the enemy, who did not discover him until he commenced firing at not to exceed 50 yards range, which threw him into confusion and caused him to retreat in disorder, with a loss of 9 killed, and, as near as I can ascertain, 22 wounded and 5 prisoners. My loss was 1 killed and 2 taken prisoners, by being intoxicated and straggling behind the command. I had also several horses shot. I had scarcely got my command reorganized before the main force of the enemy, 4,500 strong, came on at full speed, flanking at both sides for the purpose of surrounding my command, but were not fast enough to effect this object. Yours, most respectfully,

ISAAC P. GRAY, Colonel, Fourth Indiana Cavalry.

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Hon. Isaac P. Gray, prominent in State and National politics, was born October 18, 1828, in Chester County, Pennsylvania, and is a son of John and Hannah (Worthington) Gray. His ancestors were members of the Society of Friends, or more commonly known as Quakers, his great-grandfather coming with William Penn from England. Receiving but a common school education in youth, he embarked in mercantile pursuits at New Madison, Ohio, removed to Union City, Indiana, in 1855, where he continued merchandising, but later began the practice of law, having previously qualified himself for that profession.

 During the War of Secession, he commanded the Fourth Indiana Cavalry for a time, but ill health necessitated his withdrawal from an active military career, and returning home he helped recruit the One Hundred and Forty-seventh Indiana Infantry. Until the organization of the Republican party Col. Gray was a Whig. As a Republican he was defeated for Congress in 1866, but two years later was elected to the State Senate, where he served four years. In 1870 he was appointed minister to the Island of St. Thomas, West Indies, but declined the honor.

 In 1871 his political views underwent a change, and since that time he has been an active Democrat. He was nominated by acclamation and elected lieutenant-governor in 1876, and upon the death of James D. Williams became governor of the State. As a candidate of the Democratic party in 1884, he was nominated for governor of the State by acclamation on the first ballot, and upon election gave it an excellent administration.

 For the past two presidential terms lie has been prominently mentioned as a candidate for either the first or second place on the Democratic presidential ticket, but the uncertain game of politics has decided in each instance in favor of others. By appointment of President Cleveland, in 1893, he became minister to Mexico. Gov. Gray is a man of unquestioned ability and of unbounded ambition. He married Miss Eliza Jaqua in 1850, and to this union there are two living children.

Source; Pictorial & Biographical Record of La Porte, Porter, Lake & Starke Counties, Indiana; Goodspeed Brothers; 1894

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Governor Gray’s remains  were laid to rest  at the Union City Cemetery; Union City, Ind.

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RANDOLPH COUNTY  HAS  RAISED TWO  INDIANA  GOVERNORS!

GOVERNOR ISAAC P. GRAY & JAMES P. GOODRICH; Read  the Goodrich  story here

GOVERNOR JAMES GOODRICH WAS INDIANA’S WW1 GOVERNOR.  

The Goodrich’s were also (very) successful in their business ventures.

Burial location