"Portrait and biographical album of Coles County, Illinois"
  
E. RAY, proprietor of a large livery and sale-stable in Charleston, under the firm name of S. E. Ray & Son, is one of the active, enterprising business men of the city. He was born Aug. 5, 1833, in Montpelier, Vt., and is the son of George G. and Betsy (Billingsley) Ray, the former a native of Vermont, and the latter of New York. George Ray was a farmer in his native State, and came West in 1833, settling in Lake County, Ohio. That State is noted for its agricultural resources, and Mr. Ray successfully engaged in farming there, making it his home for life. He belongs to a substantial old New England family and served in the Revolutionary War. In politics, he was a member of the Henry Clay Whig party. Himself and wife were members of the Methodist Church, and actively interested in promoting the cause of religion. Mrs. Ray, who has attained the advanced age of ninety years, is still living in Ohio. They had a family of twelve children born to them. S. E. Ray was reared on his father’s farm, receiving a good common-school education and acquiring a practical knowledge of the details of farming. He remained at home until he was fifteen years of age, and was then employed by the Geauga Iron Company as Collector, and traveled for them two years. He was next employed by Luce & Co., blank-book manufacturers at La Fayette. Ind., and traveled for that firm six years, selling and collecting through Indiana, Illinois, Iowa and Minnesota, lie then accepted the same position for Culver, Page & Hoyne, of Chicago, and was employed by that firm five and one-half years. In 1862 Mr. Ray came to Illinois and engaged in the grocery business in Charleston, but soon sold out and started a livery stable. He built his barn in 1866, and continued in that occupation until 1875, when he sold out again and engaged in the dry-goods line. In six years he sold out again and re-entered the livery business, in connection with which he has engaged in buying and shipping horses. He keeps a fine stock of horses and carriages and his former establishment was the oldest in Charleston.
March 31, 1863, Mr. Ray was married to Miss Josephine Bunnell, of this city, but their married life was of short duration. Mrs. Ray died Sept. 18, 1867, leaving one child, Henrietta, since deceased. He was married the second time, Dec. 10, 1867, to Mrs. Elizabeth J. Wilhoit, of Edgar County, Ill., the sister of his first wife. They have one son, Samuel A. William Bunnell, Mrs. Ray’s father, was a native of Kentucky. In 1835 he came to Illinois and engaged in farming in Edgar County, but subsequently removed to Charleston, where he was for ten years proprietor of a hotel.
Mr. Ray is interested in municipal affairs, and was President of the Board of Education four years, and also served two terms as Alderman. He is a Democrat in politics, a member of the I. O. O. F., and the Knights of Honor.
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