JOHN L. BRAY was born in Jersey county, Illinois, April 26, 1848, his parents being Ira and Mary (White) Bray, his father a native of North Carolina, and his mother of Illinois. His father came to Jersey county at a very early day, and located near Grafton, where he lived for several years. He then moved into Otterville precinct, where he resided until his death, which occurred in the year 1851, when that dreadful disease, cholera, was raging, and with which he was carried off. His wife survived him until the fall of 1860, when she too was laid to rest. John L. remained with his parents during their lifetime, being left an orphan when only 10 years of age. His grandmother then took him to raise, and with her he lived two years. He then came to Greene county, and lived with his uncle, Jesse White, for four years, when he began working around, and continued so doing until he was married. In 1874 he began to learn the plasterer's trade, and worked at it four years. On the 26th of Nov., 1876, he was married to Sarah F. Stamps, daughter of Thomas and Ellen (Lapiere) Stamps. Mr. Bray farms to some extent, but works most of the time at his trade, plastering and brick masonry, and is a good workman. In politics, he is a republican.