John W. Ray

RAY, FOOTE, BURLING, SECOR

Posted By: Sharyl Ferrall (email)
Date: 2/20/2005 at 01:39:35

John W. Ray Dead
Last Sunday morning at 7:30 in Excelsior Springs, Mo., occurred the death of
John W. Ray, one of the most prominent men of Butler county, who had gone to
the south in the hopes of benefiting his health. The news of Mr. Ray's
demise will throw a shadow of sadness over the entire community, for he was
a man beloved in this locality and one who had a statewide acquaintance.
His death was due to stomach and liver trouble, from which he had been
suffering for a long time. Deceased was born in Youngstown, Ohio, 66 years
ago, and came to Blackhawk county in 1859. At Cedar Falls he ran a mill
until the war broke out and in 1862 enlisted in the 31st Iowa. He served
until the close of the war, and in 1865 he went to Shell Rock and bought a
mill that he ran for many years. During the year 1879 he was elected to the
office of county treasurer for Butler county and went to Butler Center to
fill the position. After he had been there one year the county seat was
moved to Allison and he transferred his residence to the latter place. He
filled the office of county treasurer for four years and in 1884 he
purchased an interest in the bank of Slimmer, Perrin & Co. For thirteen
years the business was conducted by these men, but in 1897 he purchased the
stock held by Messrs. Slimmer and Perrin and associated with him his two
sons, W.F. and F.J. Ray. In 1902 the bank was incorporated as the State
Bank of Allison with J.W. Ray as president. Besides his wife, Mr. Ray
leaves the following children: W.F. Ray, director of the State Bank of
Allison; F.J. Ray, cashier of the same institution; Mrs. H.J. Foote, of
Bristow; Mrs. C.G. Burling of Clalksville; and Mrs. Mary Secor of Cedar
Falls. W. F. Ray went to Excelsior Springs immediately upon hearing of the
death of his father, and has no doubt by this time returned with the remains
of his father. The funeral will be held tomorrow or the next day. The
deceased was a Knight Templar and a member of the commandery at Cedar Falls.
He was a member of the G.A.R. post at Allison.

-source: Iowa Recorder; September 11, 1907

(transcriber is not related to this person)