Jackson B. De Tray (deceased) was born at Providence, R. I., Feb. 18, 1816. He is descended from French ancestors, and his patronymic was originally spelled Des Tres. His great-grandfather, Jean Baptist Antoine Des Tres, was one of the court of Louis Sixteenth and was beheaded March 16, 1794. He had two sons, Francois and M. Pierre. The first was a Marshal in the French Army and served in the seven-years' war with Germany, and was guillotined at the second confiscation in Paris, in 1811. Mr. Pierre (or Peter) came to America during the Revolution as an officer in Rochambeau's Division, and acted in that war as Commissary. He was wounded at Yorktown, and after being discharged from the army, settled in Providence, R. I. He died at Woodstock, Conn., in 1824, while journeying to see Lafayette on the occasion of his last visit to America. M. Des Tres left five children – Nancy, Emeline, Antoine, Pecky and Bachez. The father of Jackson De Tray settled in Crawford Co., Ohio in 1820. There were three other children – Wm. R. , Amy and Nancy. Mr. De Tray of this sketch, was married Nov. 30, 184, to Charlotte, daughter of David and Louisa Hilliard, born in Tompkins Co., N.Y., July 30, 1823. Of six children four are living – Henry M., born Oct. 11, 1841; James H., April 1, 1843; Albert C., Nov. 7, 1845; Willard W., Nov. 7, 1850. Mr. De Tray settled on sec. 26, in August 1853. Two years before he entered 320 acres of land on secs. 24, 25 and 26. That and the surround country was unbroken forest, and the family underwent all the hardships and privations incident to pioneer life, and bore the burdens with the unflinching and courageous fortitude that met so bountiful a reward in the noble fields and beautiful residences that make Kent county so pre-eminent. Mr. De Tray died Aug. 26, 1873, aged 57.
- This biographical information on Jackson DeTray is on page 742 of the "History of Kent County, Michigan" by Charles C. Chapman and Co. It can be found in the Ancestry.com library catalog or online.

One error in this bio sketch is the maiden name of Charlotte DeTray. She was the daughter of David Wickham and Louisa Hilliard or Hilyard according to her death cert.