Fred W. Gray (1885 - 1946)
Fred Gray came to Whitehorse from Massachusetts in 1913 and worked to install lighting systems on two White Pass steamers. After two months in town, he replaced Mr. A. Tod as electrician for the Yukon Electrical Company. In 1914, Fred Gray, Willard Phelps and Charlie French, the night operator at the plant and an old riverboat steam man, bought out the shareholders and became the owners of the company.1)
Gray was the vice-president of the company and ran the plant and did the wiring. He was afraid of spiders and so ran the wires outside instead of in the attic. Gray would decide when it was dark and when the power was to be turned on in the evening. He ran the day shift at the plant for many years and did any wiring required around town. He also read the metres.2) Gray was a principal shareholder and largely responsible for the development and extension of the company's plant.3)
In 1913, Gray bought into a Whitehorse company that occasionally showed movies. He took a course outside in operating movie machines, and returned in September to show the first reels. The movies were shown at the North Star Athletic Association Hall and became a regular part of Whitehorse life. He was able to buy complete control of the company in 1917.4)
In 1920, A.G. Smith in Vancouver was the President of the Yukon Electrical Company, W.L. Phelps was the vice-president, A. Wood was secretary, C. French was the power station engineer and Fred Gray was the chief electrician. The night operator for many years was Sammy McClimmon.5)
The Grays lived in the old Crane House at 103 Elliot Street, later occupied by Yukon Office Supplies. It had hardwood floors, and a winding stair leading to the sewing room and bedrooms. There was a beautiful built-in buffet and French doors leading to a parlour.6)