William T. Gay
William T. Gay, manufacturer of wagons, plows, buggies, etc., was born in Devonshire, England, December 25, 1848, and is the son of William T. and Selina (Down) Gay, both natives of Devonshire, England. The father was a mechanic, and this trade he followed from his twelfth year until his death, which occurred in Ironton, in February 1884. The mother died in 1885. Their family consisted of nine children, four now living: Ann (Mrs. Robert Tetley), William T., Martha (Mrs. John Tetley), and John H. The father, with his family, immigrated to America in 1852 taking a passage at Liverpool and landing at New York after a long and tedious ocean voyage. From there they went to Ohio, and located at Bellevue, where he carried on his trade for nine years. In 1861 he immigrated to St.Francois Co., Missouri, where he purchased a farm, put his sons to work on it, and he carried on his trade at Ironton until the time of his death. W. T. Gay was only about three years of age when his parents came to the United States. As soon as large enough he began learning the blacksmith and wagon maker’s business under his father. He remained on the farm most of the time until of age, when he went into business with his brother, Samuel (now deceased), and carried on the business together about sixteen years. After the death of Samuel the firm title, became Gay & Co. This firm does an extensive business for a small town, in the way of manufacturing wagons, plows, buggies, etc., and employs generally about six or seven hands.
Mr. Gay was married December 25, 1871, to Miss Lucy C. Logan, a native of Missouri. To this union was born one child, Baby May. Mr. Gay is a member of the K. of H., also a member of the K. and L. of H., and is a member of the Masonic fraternity. Mrs. Gay is a member of the Presbyterian Church.