My Genealogy Hound

Peter McGaray (colored) was born in North Carolina, December 1, 1830, and is now engaged in farming in the First District of Dyer County. He was one of thirteen children; when a boy he learned to read, write and figure; was raised in Gibson County, and lived with his mother until eleven years old, then moved to Dyer County, with Capt. Jones, in 1850. In 1849 he married Margaret Jones. She was about his age, and died in 1875. They had eighteen children, five of whom are living: Maria (wife of Wylie Pauls), Tennessee (wife of Vincent Smith), Jerry, Mary J. and Margaret. In 1870 he bought 250 acres of land, but since then gave forty-five acres to his brother Thomas, and two acres to a church. It is productive land, well improved. March, 1877, he married Rachel Nash. She was born in Dyer County, February, 1862. They had five children, two of whom are living: Solomon and Peter. Mr. McGaray has been a hard working man, a good manager, and has been very successful. He is strictly honest in all of his transactions, and is much respected. He is giving his children a good education. In politics Mr. McGaray is a Republican, and cast his first presidential vote for U. S. Grant. His wife and himself are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.