The Gray family’s roots in Johnstown date back to 1885 when James Albert Gray, his wife Ellen, and their six children moved to die Hillsboro district near what would become Milliken. The family settled on a quarter-section of land and lived in a dug-out until it was possible to build a house. In 1901, James was killed in a horse run-away while on his way to the Shamrock Coal Mine near Firestone. He was the first man His son Sidney and wife Lillian welcomed their first child, James S. (Jim) Gray in 1911, born on the family homestead. Jim grew up there and learned farming and dairy operations. He graduated from Johnstown High School and started college at
the University of Colorado before transferring to the State Normal School, now the University of Northern Colorado, in Dec 12/1911
