Arthur T. Ray was born in what is now West Virginia and died in his sixty-ninth year, at Gallipolis, Ohio, in May 1890, for some years previously having been an exhorter and preacher in the Methodist Episcopal church. During the Civil War he served three years as a member of Co. L, 7th W.Va. Vol. Cav., and participated in many hard fought battles and won promotion, at the time of his honorable discharge being an orderly sergeant. He was seriously wounded on one occasion, receiving a fracture of his arm. His second marriage took place in Ohio County, W.Va., to Mrs. Mary J. Raines, who still survives, being now in her seventy- sixth year. She is a member of the Presbyterian church.

Robert D. Ray obtained his education in the free schools and entered into business at the age of twenty-two years and has always been a merchant since then. For seven yeas he was associated with C. Pickens, in the dry goods business and before that connection was with Albert J. Humphrey. The Elk Shoe Company was established at No. 320 Charleston Street, in April, 1910, and Mr. Ray has been interested in and manager of the same ever since. In politics he is a Democrat, and is now serving in his second term as a member of the council from the Second Ward, representing South Charleston, or Elk City, and to the advancement of this section he has been particularly devoted.

Mr. Ray was married at Charleston, in 1891, to Miss Maud Harold, who was born, reared and educated in Kanawha County. They have five children, namely: Ruby H., who was born August 19, 1893; Irene, whow as born in 1896; Mary Helen, who was born in 1903; Robert D., Jr., who was born in 1906; and Jessie V., who was born in 1909. Mr. and Mrs. Ray are members of the Baptist church.