Frank Paul Gray, cashier of the Broughton (Kan.) State Bank, former county superintendent of schools of Clay county, and a well known educator, was born on a farm near Lake Crystal, Blue Earth county, Minnesota, July 2, 1881, second son of John M. and Elizabeth (Williams) Gray. The father was born on a farm near Wilmington, Will county, Illinois, Oct. 9, 1850. He was reared in the country, attended the district schools near his home and, having learned the practical side of farming at home, followed that vocation himself. In 1872 he married Elizabeth, daughter of John Williams, a Virginian by birth, who located in Illinois and followed agricultural pursuits. Two years after their marriage, the Gray family removed to Minnesota, in quest of good, cheap farm land, locating in Blue Earth county where they rented land six years. During this time Mr. Gray heard of the fine land to be had in Kansas and, in 1883, came to this state. He bought a 240-acre farm in Clay county near Wakefield, for six dollars an acre, and the same is now valued at $100 an acre. Mr. Gray took an active part in the affairs of the community and was elected to various positions of trust in Gill township. The family are members of the Evangelical church. Six children were born to John M. and Elizabeth Gray; Susan Montieth, born April 21, 1877, is a teacher at Albuquerque, N. M.; Alexander Craven, born March 2, 1879, is a farmer near Vernon Center, Minn., who married Myrtle Force, Dec. 9, 1904; Frank P. is the next in order of birth; Isabella, born July 11, 1883, is at home; George Ralph, born Sept. 12, 1891, is a teacher in Clay county and John William, born Oct. 12, 1894, is a student in the Clay County High School. Mr. Gray came to Kansas when a great part of the state was still called "The Great American Desert," but he had faith in the country and his faith has not proved in vain, for he has lived to see the great rolling prairie blossom like the rose and raise wheat and grain to feed thousands; and today Kansas is one of the greatest meat producing states in the Union. He has made money and is regarded as one of the wealthy and progressive farmers of Clay county.

Frank P. Gray was a small child when his parents came to Kansas and may be said to be a thorough and enthusiastic Westerner, and he is as true to the state as though native to the soil. He received his elementary education in the district schools of Clay county, but was ambitious and entered the State Normal School at Emporia, to fit himself for teaching. After completing a course with credit, in 1902, he began to teach in his home county. He at once took a leading part in politics and local affairs and was elected, in 1906, on the Republican ticket, as county superintendent, filling that office so efficiently that he was reëlected in 1908, and completed a four-years service in May, 1911. In September, 1911, he accepted a temporary position with the Union State Bank of Clay Center. In the summer of 1911 he was one of the organizers of the Broughton State Bank at Broughton, Kan., and was elected its cashier, a position he assumed in January, 1912. This bank has a capital of $10,000 and its officers and directors are men of prominence. On Nov. 15, 1911, Mr. Gray was married to Miss Flossie Myrtle, daughter of the late John W. Erickson, a former register of deeds and a prominent citizen of Clay Center. Mrs. Gray is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Mr. Gray may be pointed out as one of the successful men of Clay county, as he met with marked success in his calling, is a man of strong character and marked personality, and has been one of the leaders in educational work in the state. His entrance into the field of banking at a time in life when his physical and mental energies are unimpaired should presage for him a successful future. In politics he has always been a Republican and an earnest worker for party interests. Fraternally he is associated with the Modern Woodmen of America, and in religious faith is a Congregationalist.