John Simpson Gray (October 5, 1841 – July 6, 1906) was a candymaker, business man, and banker from Detroit.

However, Gray's father decided farming was not a suitable profession, and in 1857 the family moved to Detroit.

[1] While Gray was engaged teaching school, his father bought a toy store in Detroit.

[1] With the passing of his partners, Gray incorporated the firm (but kept the name), and by 1891 Gray, Toynton & Fox was located in a five-story building, employing 150 people year round (and up to 200 people during the peak season)[1] and producing $400,000 ($13.6 million in 2023) of candy per year with nationwide distribution.

[7] On the strength of Gray's name, Malcomson attracted enough other investors to bankroll the new company, even convincing the Dodges to accept stock in lieu of payment.

On June 16, 1903, the Ford Motor Company was incorporated, with 12 investors owning a total of 1,000 shares valued at $100,000.

At the first meeting of stockholders, Gray was elected president, Henry Ford vice-president, and James Couzens secretary.

[7] The issue came to a head when the principal stockholders, Ford and Malcomson, quarreled over the future direction of the company.

[9] When the estate finally sold his shares to Henry Ford, the price was $26,250,000, making a total return of $36,605,075 on Gray's $10,500 initial investment.