Bray, Edward James 1870 - 1929

BRAY, KLOCK, ABEL, STEVENS, FLANDERS, GILPIN, ANDERSON, MINER, FUSSELL

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 2/16/2014 at 11:28:40

Fayette County Leader, Thursday, 4 April 1929.

Edward James Bray was born in McGregor, Iowa, November 4, 1870. When he was about five years old his parents removed to Fayette, and in this place he grew up and received his education. Later he found employment for two years at Madison, Wisconsin. Here he was married October 22, 1892, to Arlie Klock, and Madison was their home seven years; then after some years spent upon a farm near Sherburn, Minnesota, they came to Fayette in 1906.

Their children are Chalmer, superintendent of schools at Blairsburg, Iowa; Mila, who has been engaged in teaching, now a student in the school of speech, Northwestern University, and Lucile, wife of Clyde Abel of Fayette.

Some indications of the failing of his strength began to be shown about three years ago, and led him to purchase the Sugar Bowl restaurant with Clyde Abel as his assistant. While he was definitely ailing for two years no serious trouble such as prevented his work appeared until in the middle of last September, and in November an examination at the hospital at Rochester, Minnesota, disclosed a condition, multiple myeloma of the bone, for which the best medical knowledge and skill gave no promise of permanent relief. At one time this winter he seemed improved to the extent that family and friends were encouraged, but it now appears that the disease was simply shifting its location and the seat of its inroads upon his vitality. He was assiduously nursed by his family, Mrs. Bray giving him devoted care. He was the recipient of most gratifying attentions and tokens of affection from a multitude of friends attached to him by reason of his own gracious qualities.

He became a member of the Masonic Order in 1907, passing rapidly through the usual degrees, becoming a member of the Chapter Knight Templar, and a Shriner, as also of the Eastern Star. He served as Master of the Lodge and as Worthy Patron of the Eastern Star.

His father, by whom he was instructed in his occupation of a mason, died in March 1916; his mother in July, 1928.

There survives him his wife and children, his brother, Will A. Bray, Madison, Wisconsin; sisters, Mrs. Nettie Stevens, Sioux City; Mrs. Nellie Flanders, McGregor; Mrs. Carrie Gilpin and Mrs. Jennie Anderson of Sioux City; and a niece, Mrs. Georgia Miner, of Madison, Wisconsin.

Mr. Bray's work, because of his faithfulness and proficiency, took him into various portions of the country, into many towns, and many homes. Always and everywhere, abroad and in the home community, his geniality, courtesy and generosity commended him and won him a great number of friends and admirers.

In his boyhood he was a member of the drum corps organized by Rev. C. W. Burgess, playing the piccolo and fife, taught thus early an interest in that which is refining and makes contribution to the public service and pleasure.

Death came Wednesday, following coma of several hours duration.

The funeral service was held in the Masonic Hall, conducted there by Rev. D. M. Parker, members of the local Order being in attendance, as well as Knight Templars from Fayette and West Union. Two solos were sung by Sydney Ainsworth, with Owen Anderson at the piano. Interment was in Grandview Cemetery, with the service at the grave in charge of the Masons.

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NOTE: This obit refers to Mrs. Georgia Miner as his niece, further proving that Mrs. Georgia Miner, the former Georgia Fussell and child of Frank H. and Ida (Bray) Fussell, is the grandchild of, rather than the child of Nancy J. Bray, as Nancy's obituary mistakenly indicates. See Nancy Bray's obit on this obit board. Also the obits of Ida Fussell, Frank H. Fussell, Georgia Miner, and Rachel Fussell for further indications of relationships.

Submitter is not related.

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