My Genealogy Hound

Judge Matthew Grey, judge of the police court of Fort Smith, was born in Ireland, County Cavan, Parish of Columbkill, July 14, 1833, and is a son of John and Rose (Ruden) Grey, also natives of Ireland, where they were well-to-do citizens and farmers. At the age of thirteen our subject crossed the ocean to America alone, and, locating in Philadelphia, learned the shoemaker’s trade. Leaving that city to go west, he crossed the Mississippi River and upon arriving at St. Louis enlisted in the United States regular service. He was stationed upon frontier duty in Utah and Mexico, and after serving ten years was honorably discharged, on account of disability, in 1860. Upon the outbreak of the Civil War he enlisted in the Home Guards. Having visited Fort Smith in 1851, while a soldier, he returned to this place in 1863, and engaged in trading with the Comanche and Wichita Indians. In 1870 he permanently located here, where he soon became a leading political power. He has served as mayor of Fort Smith, and since 1875 has been a magistrate. In 1887 he was elected police judge, and he is now discharging the duties of that office. Judge Grey married Miss Martha Evans, daughter of the late James P. Evans, M. D., and now has the following family of children: Mary Agnes, a graduate of St. Mary’s Academy, of Fort Smith; John, who is at school; Kate, James and Lucy. Mr. and Mrs. Grey are members of the Church of the Immaculate Conception, and he belongs to the American branch of the Home Ruler’s League.