Born in Knox County, Ohio, September 7, 1825, and came to Iowa in 1845. He lived in Muscatine County and Cedar County for one year and in Cedar Rapids three years. Mr. Traer came to Benton County in August, 1851, and was one of the earliest settlers there. He practiced medicine for several years, and was one of the first physicians in Vinton. He studied law and has practiced this profession for twenty years. Mr. Gray had also engaged in the banking business since 1855. He was a member of the Constitutional Convention in 1857, and held the office of Mayor two years. He married Miss M. W. Ferguson, from Portage County, Ohio, in November 1849; they had eight children.