Rev. Marcus Lemon Gray, son of Emmanuel Lemon Gray and Martha Ellen (Graham) Gray, was born eight miles west of Shelbyville, Missouri on October 7, 1857. He was educated in Shelbyville High School, Central College and Vanderbilt University. Ordained a minister in 1885 in Columbia, Missouri. He married Margaret Henton of Louisville, Missouri. He wrote and published the book, 1806-1906 The Centennial Volume of Missouri Methodism, Methodist Episcopal Church South in 1907.