University of Virginia Library

MARQ GRAY

Marq Gray, one of Roanoke's young business men
and the proprietor of the Gray Shoe Store, was born in
Buchanan, Virginia, November 28th, 1882, his parents
being Dr. Henry V.
Gray, deceased, and
Edmonia W. Gray. In
his boyhood his educational
advantages were
limited and his studies
were principally at
home, he succeeded to a
liberal education and is
a self-made man.

At the age of nine
years, he accepted a position
in the shoe store
of Wright & Stoll, and
afterwards clerked for
J. M. Mangus, Webber
& Yager, and the Snyder-Stoll
Company, where
he gained a varied and
extensive business experience.
In August, 1906, he succeeded to the business
of the Snyder-Stoll Company at No. 110 South
Jefferson Street, which he has since been operating
most successfully. He adopted the trade word of
"Marq" and to-day the name is known throughout
this city and section and stands for the very best in
high-grade shoes for men, women, and children. He
may be regarded as one of the progressive business men
of Roanoke, belonging to the younger set.

He is an active member of the Retail Merchants'
Association and of the Chamber of Commerce.

Socially he is a Pythian, an Elk, and a member of the
Masonic Fraternity.

Religiously he is a communicant of St. John's Episcopal
Church.

He has taken an active part in the development of
the commercial interests of Roanoke.

For the past two years he has been Superintendent
of the Horse Department of the Agricultural and Industrial
Association and has been much in evidence at
the annual fairs.

Some years ago, he was Chief Marshall of the Flower
Parade which was held in Roanoke and acquitted himself
most creditably. He was also a member of the
reception committee appointed by the Chamber of
Commerce to meet the late H. H. Rogers and entertain
him as he passed over the new Virginian Railway
on his tour of inspection one month before his death.