James Taylor Gray was a businessman, steamboat designer, and pilot. Son of Oregon pioneer and historian, William Henry Gray, and the son-in-law of General Oliver Otis Howard, Gray's early business was real estate and railroad promotion in and near Astoria, Oregon. In partnership with L.W. Alderman, as the Alderman, Gray Company, he platted, founded, and sold property in the Columbia River town of Frankfort, Washington. He attempted to promote railroads from Frankfort to the coast and other destinations. Gray was associated with the Vancouver Transportation Company, a Columbia River steamboat firm. In 1902 he began working for the Northern Navigation Company and Northern Commercial Company of San Francisco, as Yukon River pilot, general agent, and boat designer and builder. In 1912 Gray returned to design river boats and barges, and later returned to the real estate business and management of family properties. Gray died in 1928.
From the description of James T. Gray papers, 1867-1928. (University of Oregon Libraries). WorldCat record id: 52254639
James Taylor Gray was a businessman, steamboat designer, and pilot. Son of Oregon pioneer and historian, William Henry Gray, and the son-in-law of General Oliver Otis Howard, Gray's early business was real estate and railroad promotion in and near Astoria.
In partnership with L.W. Alderman, as the Alderman, Gray Company, he platted, founded, and sold property in the Columbia River town of Frankfort, Washington. He attempted to promote railroads from Frankfort to the coast and other destinations. Gray was associated with the Vancouver Transportation Company, a Columbia River steamboat firm. In 1902 he began working for the Northern Navigation Company and Northern Commercial Company of San Francisco, as Yukon River pilot, general agent, and boat designer and builder. In 1912 Gray returned to design river boats and barges, and later returned to the real estate business and management of family properties. Gray died in 1928.
From the guide to the James T. Gray papers, 1867-1928, (Special Collections and University Archives, University of Oregon Libraries)
