The profession of the law, when clothed with its true dignity and purity, and strength, must rank first among the callings of men, for law rules the universe. The work of the legal profession is to formulate, to harmonize, to regulate, to adjust, to administer those rules and principles that underlie and permeate all government and society and control the varied relations of man. As thus viewed, there attaches to the legal profession a nobleness that cannot but be reflected in the life of the true lawyer, who, conscious of the greatness of his profession, and honest in the pursuit of his purpose, embraces the richness of learning, the profoundness of wisdom, the firmness of integrity and the purity of morals, together with the graces of modesty, courtesy and the general amenities of life. The leading attorney of Malad, and a worthy representative of his calling is George E. Gray.
Born in Sparta, Wisconsin, July 26, 1867, he is of Scotch, Irish and German descent. His father, P. D. Gray, was born in New York and when a young man removed to Wisconsin, where he married Miss Harriet L. Nash, a native of Vermont. Both parents are still living in Wisconsin and are well-to-do and respected citizens of that state. They had three children, George E. being the eldest. Having acquired a good preliminary education, he entered the University of Wisconsin, wherein he pursued both a literary and law course, graduating in the law department with the class of 1891. He was then admitted to the bar of his native state, and coming to Idaho soon afterward, at Boise, he was admitted to practice in the supreme court of this state and in the United States courts. For two years he was a member of the bar of the capital city, and in 1893 he came to Malad, where he entered almost immediately upon a large and constantly growing practice. Demonstrating his ability in the careful manner in which he handled the litigated interests entrusted to him, he naturally won an increased clientage, and is now regarded as the leading practitioner at the bar of southern Idaho. He engages in general practice, but prefers corporation and irrigation law, and has attained a high degree of proficiency in those branches of jurisprudence. He is now serving as city attorney of Malad, to which position he was elected on the Republican ticket, being one of the stanch supporters of the Republican Party.
In 1891 Mr. Gray was united in marriage to Miss Meda Whalen, a native of Wisconsin, and they now have a very bright little son, Warren P., who is the light of the household. Their home is one of the pleasant residences of Malad, and they hold an enviable position in the social circles of the city.