Levi Spencer Ray

ALLCOCK, BEEM, PAGE, RAY

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 10/12/2005 at 13:37:07

Levi S. Ray is a well known farmer living on section 18, South township, and is a representative of one of the old pioneer families of Madison county. He was born September 7, 1863, in the township where he still resides, his parents being Levi and Frances (Allcock) Ray. The former was a native of Indiana and came to Madison county in 1856, when a youth of nineteen years, in company with his parents, Barnabas and Mary (Hill) Ray, who settled in Scott township, where they spent their remaining days. The paternal grandfather of Levi S. Ray was not only an enterprising farmer of the locality but was also a local minister of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Levi Ray removed from Scott to South township, where he continued to carry on general agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred March 6, 1863, when he was in his twenty-sixth year, his birth having occurred September 6, 1837. His wife, who was born in Gentry county, Missouri, was a daughter of Norvil S. and Lucy (Page) Allcock. Her father was born in Virginia and in his boyhood days was bound out but ran away. After attaining his majority he was married in Virginia to Miss Lucy Page. He and his wife walked to Kentucky. He was a great hunter and enjoyed the opportunities which the pioneer districts afforded for indulging in hunting In 1847 he came by team to Iowa and settled where the town of Hanley now stands at which time there were but three or four families in this section of the state. He was indeed one of the pioneer residents of the locality and took an active part in the early development and progress of the community. He became one of the first county commissioners of Madison county and was otherwise identified with its early development. He lived to the advanced age of about ninety-two years while his wife passed away at the age of seventy-two or seventy-three. He too was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church and was one of the organizers of the Elm Grove congregation. His daughter, Mrs. Ray, was reared in this county and continued her residence here until her death.

Levi S. Ray was born after the death of his father. He spent his boyhood days with his mother and stepfather, living at home until twenty years of age and then starting out in life on his own account on a rented farm in Scott township, where he remained for ten or twelve years. He then purchased his present farm, comprising forty-two acres, and he has since added to this until he is now the owner of one hundred and forty acres of rich and valuable land, which he has carefully, systematically and wisely cultivated, making it a productive tract yielding to him a gratifying annual income. He carries on general agricultural pursuits in the raising of the cereals best adapted to soil and climate and he also breeds shorthorn cattle.

On the 3d of April, 1884, Mr. Ray was united in marriage to Miss Mary L Beem, who was born in Scott township, this county, September n 1862. Their five children are as follows: Frank M., a resident of South township; and Fred J., Jennie L., Carl G. and Beulah E., all at home.

The parents are consistent and faithful members of the Methodist church Mr. Ray belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen camp and his political allegiance is given to the republican party. He has filled several local offices, serving as township clerk, as township assessor for four years and as census enumerator in 1910. He has led an industrious life characterized by the strictest honesty and the fact that he enjoys the confidence of his fellow townsmen is indicated in his being called upon to settle several estates in the county.

Taken from the book, “The History of Madison County, Iowa, 1915,” by Herman Mueller.