Balys E. Gray, a prominent and substantial citizen of this city, was born in Charlotte, N.C., in 1844, and in 1852 went to Holly Springs, Miss., where he was reared to manhood. He is the son of E. D. and Sarah E. (Withers) Gray. The parents are natives of North Carolina. The father was a farmer by occupation, was prosperous in early life, but later met with reverses that encumbered him financially. Five children blessed their union, three of whom are yet living. The father died in Holly Springs in 1856, his widow followed him in 1862. In 1861 our subject enlisted in the Confederate service, Seventeenth Mississippi Regiment, and remained with them until the close of the war. In 1872 he was united in marriage to Miss Anna Davidson, of Holly Springs, and daughter of S. M. and Matilda (Cheatham) Davidson. She was born in Mississippi in 1850, and is the mother of four children, three of whom are yet living. In 1874 he moved to this city and engaged in the liquor trade, and continues it up to the present time. Mr. Gray began life poor, his possessions being gained by his own honesty, energy and perseverance. His politics are strictly Democratic. His wife and family are members of the Episcopal Church.

Goodspeeds History of Tennessee