William Gibson Ray (1840 - bef. 1920)

Born 1 Nov 1840 in Trumbull County, Ohio

Ancestors

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Biography

Born 1 NOV 1840. Trumbull County, Ohio. ^[1]

Died BEF 10 DEC 1920. ^[2]

Occupation: Farmer. ^[3]

Note: Lived in Woodman Wisconsin at time of marriage (src: Grant Co. Marriage Book, v.4, p.107 (Shirley Spease, Lancaster, WI, 1999)).

The following is from "Portrait and Biographical Album of Otoe and Cass Counties Nebraska" 1889.

WILLIAM RAY, senior member of the firm of Ray & Hicks, is engaged with his partner in general merchandising in Dunbar, and also has an interest in the City Hotel and livery stable at that point, besides owning a large mercantile house in Woodbine, Iowa. He was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, Nov. 1, 1840, and is the son of George Ray, now deceased.

The father of our subject emigrated from his native State of New York to Grant County in 1847, settling not far from the lead mines of Galena, Ill. In that region William received a common-school education, and in the spring of 1863 migrated across the Mississippi into Fayette County, Iowa. During the progress of the late Civil War he enlisted in Company F, 49th Wisconsin Infantry, serving one year, and doing mostly post duty.

Our subject upon being transformed from a soldier to a civilian returned to Fayette County, Iowa, where he lived until 1876. He then removed to the vicinity of Atlantic, and engaged in stock-raising three years. In the fall of 1879 he came to Nebraska, and locating in Holt County, carried on farming and stock-raising together with real-estate business until 1888. He still has a ranch in the vicinity of Stuart. In September of the last-named year our subject came to Dunbar, and in addition to the business already noted, ships large quantities of produce from this county to Omaha. He represents a large amount of real estate, owning besides the property already mentioned 1,920 acres of land in Holt and Brown Counties. His general merchandising transactions yield him a handsome income as the firm enjoys an extensive patronage. They keep a full stock of everything in their line.

Mr. Ray, on the 4th of July, 1867, was united in marriage with Miss Mary A. Bastedo, who was born in Wyoming County, Pa., Aug. 2, 1843. The parents of Mrs. Ray were George and Diadama Bastedo, the former of whom died in Missouri about 1867. To Mr. and Mrs. Ray there have been born four children -- George E., Paul L., Mary E. and Beatrice. The eldest is twenty years of age and the youngest ten. Mr. and Mrs. Ray are members of the Presbyterian Church, and our subject is identified with the A. O. U. W. and the G. A. R. Politically, he votes the Democratic ticket, and entertains the interest felt by every intelligent citizen in the building up of its community, and its advancement socially, morally and financially. The mother of our subject, Mrs. Lucinda Ray, was a native of Ohio and is now deceased. The parental family included nine children, five of whom are living and four deceased.

Sources

1. ↑ Source: S3151
2. ↑ Source: S3149
3. ↑ Source: S3152

• Source: S3149 Correspondence with Ruth Culton Taylor

Note: Source Medium: Electronic Italicized: Y

• Source: S3151 Note: Footnote: Grant Co. Marriage Book, v.4, p.107 (Shirley Spease, Lancaster, WI, 1999); 1860 Portrait and Biographical Album of Otoe and Cass Counties Nebraska; 1860 Census of Ellenboro, Grant, WI; 1850 Census, Grant County, Wisconsin

• Source: S3152 Note: Footnote: Grant Co. Marriage Book, v.4, p.107 (Shirley Spease, Lancaster, WI, 1999)