The Wray Family of Nodaway County, Missouri

STEPHEN KELLAR WRAY.

The strong, true men of a people are always public benefactors. Their usefulness in the immediate and specific labors they perform can be defined by meets and bounds; but the good they do through the forces they put in motion and through the inspiration of their presence and example is im measurable by any finite gauge or standard of value. The late Stephen Kellar Wray was such a man. To epitomize his life and character within the limits which this work allows is impossible. But less than most men his equal does he need the voice of eulogy. For many years a resident of Nodaway county. Missouri, which was the scene of his mature labors, he left a distinct impress on the civic and commercial life of the county and in his death the community suffered an irreparable loss. Probably no man who ever lived in the county held a warmer place in the hearts and affections of the people, or whose memory is today more revered, than he, and this history of Nodaway county would be incomplete were there failure to make specific mention of him.

Stephen Kellar Wray was born January 27, 1834, on a farm in Gallia county, Ohio, and he was the second in order of birth of the children born to John and Sarah (Wiseman) Wray. His father was a farmer and also engaged in teaching in the country schools. They were pioneers of Gallia county, as also they were afterwards of Nodaway county. Missouri, having moved to this state in 1854. They located three miles east of Pickering on a large tract of land, buying part and entering part. The parents spent the remainder of their days on this farm, the father dying there in 1880 and the mother in 1904. They reared nine children, eight of whom are still living. John Wray was a man of considerable native ability and occupied a prominent place in the community, having served at one time as county judge, in which position he gave eminent satisfaction. In politics he was a Republican, while his fraternal relations were with the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.

Stephen K. Wray grew to manhood in his native county and secured his education in the schools of Gallia county and in eastern Iowa. He engaged in teaching school at Hillsboro, Iowa, and up to the opening of the Civil war he engaged in teaching school during the winter months, engaging in farm work during the summer. He came with his parents to Nodaway county in the spring of 1854. When the tocsin of war was sounded the patriotic sent ment of Mr. Wray was promptly aroused and in the fall of 1861 he enlisted in what was known as Kimball's Six-months Volunteers, in which command he held the rank of first lieutenant. He also served eight months in the Home Guards, holding the position of captain of a company. In the fall of 1863 he was appointed recruiting officer of the Twelfth Missouri Cavalry and. in company with Captain Martin, he recruited Company F of this command, being made first lieutenant of the company, and afterwards was appointed adjutant of the regiment. He proved a valiant and courageous soldier and took part in many of the most hotly contested battles of the war. At the battle of Campbellsville he was captured by the enemy, but, thirty-six hours later, while being taken South, he effected his escape and. after a month of exposure and hardship, he rejoined his regiment and served with it until the close of the war, receiving an honorable discharge in 1865.

At the close of his military service, Mr. Wray returned to his home in Polk township. Nodaway county, and there gave his attention chiefly to agricultural pursuits until in March. 1880, when he came to Hopkins and engaged in the hardware and implement business in partnership with A. Watson.

Subsequently he purchased Mr. Watson’s interest and conducted the business alone until his death, which occurred on January 24. 1901, at the age of sixty-six years, eleven months and twenty-seven days, his death terminal ing a brief illness with pneumonia. The funeral services, which were held at the Methodist church, were very largely attended, the edifice not holding half the people who came to pay their last respects to the man whom they had admired in life. The Masonic lodge of Hopkins, of which Mr. Wray was an appreciative member, attended the funeral in a body. Among the many eulogistic expressions uttered at that time, the following from the tongue of

Rev. C. J. John, pastor of the Methodist church, are beautifully expressive of the esteem in which the deceased was held: “If there had come a message from heaven declaring there was but one honest man in Hopkins, the people with one voice would have said: That man is S. K. Wray. No man lives for a nobler purpose than to make the world better. This is what the deceased did. No man associated with him without feeling the impress of his influence for good, his influence being the result of the inherent force of a noble life rather than from any effort on his part. * * * In my forty-six years of experience with men in the church I have never known a more conscientious, faithful man than Stephen K. Wray.” Other words of similar import were uttered on all sides, and Xenia Lodge, No. 50, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of Hopkins, passed strong resolutions of respect. At the age of eleven years Stephen Wray joined the Methodist Episcopal church and during all the subsequent years he never wavered in his allegiance to it nor in his full performance of what he considered his duty, his unassumed, practical piety, Christian manliness and faithful devotion to his church and his God having been among his most marked characteristics.

Politically, Mr. Wray was a stanch Republican and took an intelligent interest in local public affairs, having served at one time as a member of the county court, where he acquitted himself with dignity and honor.

On April 30, 1859, Mr. Wray was united in marriage to Mary Carmean, the daughter of Curtis and Mary (Coddington) Carmean. Curtis Carmean was a native of Maryland, where he was born on October 3, 1806. He removed to Ohio, where he met Miss Coddington, their marriage afterwards occurring in Indiana. His death occurred in Hillsboro. Iowa, in 1882, after which event his widow made her home with her daughter, Mrs. Wray, at Hopkins. Her death occurred in 1892, while she was on a visit to Nebraska. To Mr. and Mrs. Wray were born six children, namely: Rosa M., the wife of D. A. Bugby, of Steele City, Nebraska; M. Alice, the wife of Frank Mahan, of Hopkins; Curtis, of Maryville, this county: Bertha L., the wife of O. H. Saylor, of Hopkins; Howard, cashier of the bank at Pickering, and Florence, wife of Fred B. XIonroe. assistant cashier of the Bank of Hopkins.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

S. K. WRAY, of the firm of Watson & Wray, is one of the old and well known pioneers of Nodaway County. He is a native of Gallia County, Ohio, and was born January 27, 1834. He was reared at his birthplace, spending ftiis boyhood days on a farm, and receiving a good business education. In the winter of 1853, he accompanied his parents to Iowa, and from there came to Nodaway County, Missouri, in the spring of 1854. The county was then new, and, after passing through many hardships, Mr. W. commenced farming in the summer season, and teaching in the winter. During the late war he first enlisted, in the fall of 1861, in what was known as Kimball's six months' volunteers, and held the position of first lieutenant. He also served some eight months in the home guards, and held the position of captain of a company. In the fall of 1863, he was appointed recruiting officer, and, with the aid of Captain Martin, organized Company F, of the Twelfth Missouri Cavalry. He afterwards became adjutant of the regiment, and took part in many minor battles, and skirmishes. He was captured at the battle of Campbellsville, Tennessee and remained a prisoner for but thirty-six hours, when he escaped, and, a month later, joined his regiment again, and served with them until the close of the war. He then returned to this county, and has since given his attention chiefly to agricultural pursuits. He owns a fine farm of 160 acres, in Polk Township, which is well watered and improved In March, 1880, he came to Hopkins, purchased a half interest with Mr. Watson in his agricultural implement establishment; also a half block of residence property. He has held the position of justice of the peace, and was at one time a member of the county court. He belongs to Xenia Lodge, No. 50, A. F. and A. M., also to the Good Templars. Mr. Wray was married April 30, 1859, to Miss Mar)- Carmean, a native of Macon County, Illinois, "although she was principally raised in Iowa. They have had seven children, six of whom are living: Rosa, Alice, Curtis, Bertha, Howard and Florence. Mr. and Mrs. Wray are active members of the M. E. Church, of Hopkins. He fills the position of superintendent of the Sabbath School.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected.

WILLIAM W. WRAY, farmer and stock raiser, section 28, another old settler of this county, was born in Gallia County, Ohio, on the 4th of February, 1836, and was the son of John and Sarah F. (Wiseman) Wray. The former, a farmer by occupation, was a native of Virginia, and in that state was William's mother also born. Young Wray spent his youth on a farm at his birthplace, and attended the common schools until about eighteen years of age, when in the fall of 1853 he removed to Missouri. In November of that year he came to Nodaway County. His parents first settled seven miles from Maryville, then a small village, and when saloons were the prominent business houses. The first fall after locating here he and his father killed twenty-five deer, game of all kinds being very plentiful. A large dressed turkey was worth but twenty-five cents. Mr. Wray occasionally indulged in hunting, but the most of his spare time was passed in splitting rails. When about twenty-two years old he commenced in business for himself, by teaching and working by the month. He has risen to his present condition through his own habits of industry, economy, etc. Is now the owner of 415 acres of land, in 200 of which his mother has an interest. His farm is well adapted to stock raising, in which he is largely interested. The place is supplied with good water facilities, and there is also an orchard, barn, etc. Mr. Wray has held the position of township supervisor, and for some nine months acted as ex-officio county judge. He has been township treasurer and clerk for five years, and during his term of office the township erected four school houses. He is Republican in politics, and a member of the M. E. Church. Mr. W. was married March 31, 1861, to Miss Sarah E., a daughter of J. and Nancy Shelman. They have ten children: Bayard T., born January 10, 1862; Edward P., born November 15, 1863; John B., born March 14, 1865; William, born February 19, 1867; Henry H., born June 28, 1869 Wilbur W., born April 17, 187 1; George Thomas, born May 21, 1874 Clara E. M., born February 1, 1876; Fred. A., born September 3, 1877 and Irene, born April 28, 1881. The mother of Mrs. Wray lives with her son and daughter. She is in her seventy-sixth year, and enjoys good health.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

HENRY T. WRAY, farmer and stock raiser, section 23, was born in Lawrence County, Ohio, April 13, 1844. His father, John Wray, was born in Monroe County, Virginia, and his mother, Sarah (Wiseman) Wray, was a native of Rockingham County, Virginia. Henry was taken to Gallia County, Ohio, in 1845, and remained there until 1853, when his parents moved west, and wintered in Hillsboro, Henry County, Iowa. In the spring of 1854 they came to Nodaway County, and settled in Polk Township, though the county was then wild and unsettled. On this frontier Henry was raised to manhood on the farm, receiving an education, such as the country schools afforded. Becoming proficient in the use of tools, he did all his own carpenter work, and he does so at present. During the war he was a strong Union man. He first served in the Enrolled Missouri Militia, and in July, 1864, he enlisted in Company K, Forty-third Missouri Volunteer Infantry. Being ill, he was unfit for duty most of the time. He filled the office of sergeant, and was discharged on account of disability, June 30, 1865. He takes a great interest in educational matters, and has served some nine consecutive years as clerk of the district. He owns his old homestead of twenty-eight acres and an interest in 300 acres. Mr. Wray is a strong Republican. He was married February 25, 1863, to Miss Maria A. Partridge, a native of Clark County, Illinois, born June 23, 1845. They have nine children living: Theodore K., born November 21, 1864; Albert A., born April 30, 1866; William N., born April 10, 1868; J. Carroll, born October 22, 1869; Edith L., born January 3, 1872; Perris E., born September 20, 1874; George T., born July 18, 1876; Frank W., born October 23, 1878, and Charles H., born October 3, 1880. Mr. Wray has always been an active Christian worker in the M. E. Church. He was licensed to preach at the conference held at Mound City, Holt County, Missouri, in November, 1881, and now fills some appointments, often officiating as class leader.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JAMES ARTHUR WRAY.

A man who would win his way in any locality where fate might place him is James Arthur Wray, one of the best known citizens in local industrial circles, for his career shows that he is a man of sound business judgment, coupled with great energy and tact, together with upright principles, all of which make for success wherever and whenever they are rightly and persistently applied. He has won a host of friends in Nowaday county by reason of these principles.

Mr. Wray was born September 1, 1856, in Polk township, this county, and is the son of John and Sarah (Wiseman) Wray, the father born on February 13, 1805, in what is now known as West Virginia, and was the son of Thomas and Rachel (Neal) Wray. Thomas Wray was a school teacher. John Wray worked on a farm and taught school and in an early day moved to Gallia county, Ohio, and in 1854 came further west, locating in Nodaway county, Missouri. He entered four hundred acres in Polk township. There he farmer and taught school during the winter months. In the early sixties he was elected county judge and served one term very acceptably, and for some time he was a man of considerable prominence in the county. He enlisted in the Missouri Home Guards in the service of the Union and served six months during the Civil war. After this he devoted his attention exclusively to his farm until his death, which occurred on February 6, 1879. He was a Republican in politics, a member of the Masonic fraternity and the Methodist Episcopal church. On July 17, 1831, he married Sarah Wiseman, in Gallia county, Ohio. She was born in West Virginia, August 27, 1811, the daughter of Isaac and Mary (Armentrout) Wiseman, old settlers of the Buckeye state, dying March 19, 1904, in Polk township, Nodaway county, Missouri. Eleven children were born to them, eight of whom are now living.

J. Arthur Wray of this review was educated in the country schools and worked on a farm in his youth; but, deciding that he would devote his life to other lines of endeavor, he came to Maryville and attended a business school. However, he returned to the farm and taught school during the winter months. In 1897 he bought the Banner Steam Laundry, the name of which he changed to Wray’s Laundry. He successfully conducted this for a period of ten years, buying the building in the meantime. This has long been known as one of the leading and most reliable laundries in this part of the state, Mr. Wray having so ably conducted it as to give it this prestige. He is now devoting his exclusive time to his farming interests, owning three hundred and twenty-nine acres of fine land in Polk township. It is well improved, well managed and on it stand many substantial buildings. Mr. Wray has a beautiful, modern home at No. 505 South Main street, Maryville, which is presided over by a woman of refinement, known in her maidenhood as Minnie M. Neil, whom Mr. Wray married on September 25, 1883. She was born in Muscatine county, Iowa, September 30, 1864. but was still living in Polk township, Nodaway county, when she married. To this union three children have been born, named as follows: Nellie is attending college; Bessie is teaching school; Walter N. is attending school in this city.

In political matters Mr. Wray is a Republican and he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a pleasant man to know, always courteous, genial and straightforward in his business life.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

Among the energetic, public-spirited men of affairs, to whom, as much perhaps as to any other person in recent years, Nodaway county is indebted for the impetus which has added so materially to its growth and prosperity, the name of Curtis Wray, the well known proprietor and owner of the Maryville Tribune, should be mentioned. To him should be accorded full credit for what he has accomplished in the field of journalism, for he started out in life under none too favorable environment, but despite obstacles, lack of large inherited wealth or the assistance of influential friends, he has steadily and surely fought his way to the front, not only winning success in a material way but also gaining the confidence and esteem of a wide circle of friends and acquaintances who recognize him as a leader in the affairs of this locality.

Mr. Wray was born in Polk township, Nodaway county, December 9, 1868, the son of Stephen K. and Mary C. Wray, an excellent old family, a complete sketch of whom appears elsewhere in these pages.

Mr. Wray was educated in the schools at Hopkins and early in life decided to enter the newspaper arena, and, when a mere lad learned the printer's trade in the Journal office in Hopkins. After working success fully at his trade for about seven years in various parts of the country, he returned to Hopkins in 1890 and purchased a half interest in the Journal. In the spring of 1892 he started the Hopkins Leader. In the fall of 1893 he moved the plant to Maryville and started the Tribune as a weekly. Having been very successful in this venture and observing the need of a live daily, in 1899 he began issuing his paper as a daily and it has been successfully continued ever since, having become an important factor lo call and taking its place among the best news mediums of its type in this section of the state, its circulation having steadily increased until it is generally recognized by the commercial world as a valuable advertising medium. A job office is maintained in connection with the plant and is extensively patronized, the office throughout being well equipped and under a splendid system.

Mr. Wray's marriage took place on September 18, 1888, to Abbie Paddock, of Markesan. Green Lake county, Wisconsin. She is the daughter of Franklin and Eliza Paddock, her parents being of English ancestry. To this union three children have been born, named as follows: Raymond, Helen and Gladys, all members of the home circle.

Mr. Wray is prominent in the Masonic fraternity, having attained the thirty-second degree; he is also past chancellor of the Knights of Pvthias, in which order he also takes a great deal of interest. He belongs to the Methodist church and is a Republican in politics.

As printed in the source³. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

In examining the life records of the citizens of Nodaway county of a past generation, who have finished their allotted tasks and passed into the unknown, the biographer finds none worthier of a place in the history of this locality than that of Stephen K. Wray. He was born in Gallia county, Ohio, January 27, 1834, and he was called to his reward on January 24. 1901. He came with his parents to Iowa in 1853, and the following spring (1854) moved to Nodaway county, Missouri. He received a good education in his native state and after coming here he taught school during the winter months and farmer in the summer. When the Civil w'ar came on he served as first lieutenant in Kimball’s volunteer regiment and was at one time captain of a company of Home Guards. In the fall of 1863 he organized Company F, Twelfth Missouri Cavalry, and he became adjutant of the regiment, and he saw some very strenuous service at the front, and, according to his comrades, always performed his duty faithfully. He was captured by the enemy at Campbellsville, Tennessee, but escaped in thirty-six hours, being absent one month from his regiment. He served until the close of the war, after which he returned to Nodaway county where he became possessor of a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Polk township. In March, 1880, he bought a half interest with a Mr. Watson in an agricultural implement business at Hopkins and there continued in the active trade until his death, building up a very successful business and becoming known as one of the enterprising men of this section of the county.

Mr. Wray took more or less interest in political affairs and was always ready to promote the interests of his county. At one time he was justice of the peace, and he served very ably as county judge. He was faithful in his support of the Methodist Episcopal church. Fraternally, he was a Mason. His marriage occurred on April 30. 1859, to Mary Carmean, and this union resulted in the birth of six children, Rosa, Alice, Curtis (publisher of The Tribune at Maryville), Bertha, Howard, Florence. Mrs. Stephen K. Wray, now advanced in years, is living at Hopkins.

Howard Wray is cashier of the bank at Pickering, the duties of which he discharges in a manner that stamps him as a business man of high rank. He was born on June 12. 1876, and after being educated in the home schools, took up work with his father in the hardware store, continuing there, with the exception of one year spent in the bank at Hopkins. In the fall of 1900 he helped organize the Bank of Pickering, and became its first cashier, con tinning as such to the present time, being very largely responsible for the excellent prestige of this sound and conservative institution. He takes an abiding interest in the affairs of his community.

Howard Wray was married on September 25, 1907, to Kate Beckwith, of Chicago, a lady of education and refinement. This union has resulted in the birth of two children (twins), Florence and Katherine, born on September 17- 1909-

Mr. Wray is a Master Mason and is prominent in business and social circles of the conn tv.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

I. N. WRAY is of the firm of Wray & Moore, dealers in staple and fancy groceries and provisions. This firm, although comparatively a new one, is nevertheless doing a very extensive business. They have a large and complete stock in their line, and as business men, are well and favorably known. The senior member of the firm, I. N. Wray, is a native of Ohio, and was born December 8, 1839. At the age of fourteen years he accompanied the family to Missouri and settled in this county, where he was reared to manhood and received his education, spending his boyhood in agricultural pursuits. At the breaking out of the war he enlisted July 17, 1861, in Company I, First Nevada Regiment, and served till July 1, 1866. During that time he participated in many hard fought battles, among which were Shiloh, and from there through the Arkansas campaign. At the close of his term of service in 1866, he returned to this county and was elected sheriff, serving for two years. He then resumed farming, till, in 1870, he was again elected to the office of sheriff and held the position till 1872. It may truthfully be said of him that he discharged his duties, with credit to the county and honor to himself. He was engaged in tilling the soil till 1876, when he was appointed assessor of this township, and on June 6, 188 1, he became associated with

Mr. Kuenster in business under the firm name of Kuenster & Wray. This co-partnership existed till December of that year, when Mr. Moore became a partner. Mr. Wray was united in marriage December 31, 1866, to Miss Sarah Crane, a native of Indiana. They have seven children: Minnie, Harold, Ernest, Burton, Katie, Vern and Roland. He is a member of Nodaway Lodge of the A. F. and A. M., of this city, also a member of White Cloud Lodge No. 92, I. O. O. F. He was president of the Fair Association of this county for one year.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.