Silas B. Gray papers, 1935-1939

Silas Bradford Gray was born on July 8, 1856 near Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. In 1880 Silas accompanied his oldest brother on a trip to Jefferson City, Montana, and from there to Judith Basin, Montana. Between 1881 and 1889, Gray lived in Chicago, Illinois; Lake Geneva, Wisconsin; and Grand Island, Nebraska. Silas Gray returned to Helena, Montana, in 1889 and worked for the Helena Light Company. By 1896 he was a foreman for the Golden Sceptre Gold Mining Company. Following this job in 1897, he worked for the telephone company in Great Falls, Montana, then operated the stagecoach stop in Lewistown, Montana, until the arrival of the railroad in 1900. At this time, Gray moved to Helena and took a job at the Helena Light and Railway Company. He was appointed the city electrician in 1912 and maintained this position for nineteen years. In addition to his work, Gray served as the President of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, No. 16 and on the Helena city council. Gray married Hattie Coon on December 25, 1883 in Hall County, Nebraska. After their divorce, Gray married Theresa Becker in Livingston, Montana, with whom he had an adopted daughter. They were married until her death in 1901. He then married Edna Warner in 1906 and had one son, Eugene F. Gray, and two daughters, Vivian Ryan and Helen Gunderson. Gray died in Helena on March 3, 1940. He is buried in Forestvale Cemetery in Helena, Montana.