GRAY, ELISHA (1835-1901), American electrician, was born in Barnesville, Belmont county (0.), on Aug. 2, 1835. He worked as a carpenter and in a machine-shop, reading in physical science at the same time, and for five years studied at Oberlin college, where he taught for a time. He then investigated the sub ject of telegraphy and in 1867 patented a telegraphic switch and annunciator. Experimenting in the transmittal of electro-tones and of musical tones by wire, he utilized in 1874 animal tissues in his receivers, and filed, on Feb. 14, 1876, a caveat for the in vention of a telephone, only a few hours after the filing of an ap plication for a patent by Alexander Graham Bell. See TELE