David W. Wray

As printed in 1912

DAVID W. WRAY

David W. Wray is one of the native sons of Johnson county who have won success in life in that locality. He was born on the old homestead where he still resides, on Section 2, Madison township, January 7, 1848, son of Carson Buford Wray, one of the earliest settlers of Johnson county, who became one of its most influential citizens and extensive landholders. Carson Buford Wray was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, July 24, 1819, son of Richard Wray, a Pennsylvania farmer.

Richard Wray was a pioneer of Hamilton county. His father and uncle emigrated to the United States from Ireland, coming in a primitive sailing vessel. They located first in Maryland, where they separated, Richard Wray's father going to Pennsylvania and the brother never being heard of again by his family. Richard Wray was one of six sons, two of whom became farmers, two blacksmiths, and two tinners. He moved from Pennsylvania to Ohio and thence to Indiana in a very early day. He met his death by accident, at a horse race, in 1825. He married Catherine Buford, a native of Maryland, who lived to the venerable age of eighty-five years. They became parents of eight children.

Carson Buford Wray was reared on a pioneer farm and received his education in a primitive log school house. After the death of his father, being then a small boy, he was sent to live with a neighboring farmer, where he soon began life for himself. He worked by the month when he was old enough to do so, and after reaching his majority, ran a distillery for seven years. In 1841 he started on foot and alone for the newly opened and unsettled land in eastern Iowa, arriving at Iowa City May 8th of that year. He took up a claim in the spring and about the same time (1842) married Miss Mary Ault, a native of Ohio. A sketch of the Ault family appears in this volume. The young couple began housekeeping in the primitive log cabin he had erected for them, which they made a tern;i.-'m:xkk hi-' i>. w. wp.av porary home. This shelter was replaced by a frame building on the same site, the family home for fifty-six years. Mr. Wra>" went a long distance to mill and was thus often caught in blinding snowstorms. Many of the farmers of the neighborhood pulverized their own corn in a home-made mortar or similar primitive contrivance, and all endured many inconveniences and trials in the early days. Mr. Wray was for many years an influential member of the school board of his district, being much interested in the cause of education, and often when the other members failed to be present at an appointed meeting, he acted for them, nominating himself as chairman and secretary, after which he would nominate a neighbor for director and vote on various questions in the regular way. He filled out a certificate of membership for the new member and was always careful to observe the rules for such proceedings. He was a stanch democrat in politics and active in the councils of his party, representing its interests at various township and county conventions. He was many times selected by his party for offices which he declined, preferring a quiet life. However, he was many times elected to the office of supervisor and took great interest in anything pertaining to local affairs up to the time of his death. He also served as township trustee. For many years he made a specialty of stock-raising and handled some of the best bred horses in the state. For over thirty years he shipped his stock to the Chicago market. At one time he owned 1,100 acres of rich Iowa farm land, which he eventually divided among his children. He was truly a self-made man, beginning life for himself with a capital of one hundred dollars. His wife was a most valuable helpmeet, a good business manager and a wise advisor in affairs in general. At the time of the Civil War and afterwards Mr. Wray contributed generously to the help of the unfortunate families of soldiers, who were left to eke out a living as best they might. Carson B. Wray died March 1, 1899, only twenty-four hours after the death of his beloved daughter Catherine, who had tenderly cared for him during his last years. Their funeral was one of the saddest ever held in Johnson county. Of the eight children born to Carson B. and Mary (Ault) Wray, but four now survive, namely: Joseph C. and David W., both given extensive mention in this review; Anna, wife of Charles Ault, of Penn township; Mrs. C. Custer, of Greene county. Catherine Wray was born December 12, 1842, and died February 27, 1899. She had been ill for some time but her condition had not been considered serious, and her death was a great shock to her many friends. Her devotion to her aged father was touching, and on account of the close attachment between the two, their friends found the occasion of the double funeral very painful. She was his constant companion and solace in his declining days, especially after the death of the wife and mother, which occurred in February, 1898, and her beautiful character will be remembered as long as her friends remain on earth. The services for these two were held in the pioneer home on Thursday morning at ten o'clock, Rev. W. C. Barclay, a Methodist divine, officiating, and numerous beautiful Moral offerings were sent from near and far by those who sympathized with the doubly bereaved family. Mr. Wray had been connected with many affairs and incidents of pioneer days that are creditable to him, and had won a reputation of which his children are proud. In the 'forties he had helped in rating down rock for building the state house in Iowa's new capital. The rock was loaded on Mat boats, which were propelled down the Iowa river by means of poles. He and his wife participated in many movements for the public welfare and for the development of the community and both were held in high esteem for their many Mne qualities of mind and heart.

David W. Wray early developed a taste for learning and has always kept abreast of the times as to current events and issues, being an intelligent, well-read citizen. He has been active in political matters and is a recognized power in the councils of his party. For years he has subscribed for the Commoner, William Jennings Bryan's periodical, and he has great confidence in the sagacity and integrity of the proprietor and editor. As he says, he is a democrat "from the crown of his head to the sole of his foot," and has always upheld the principles advanced by the party's leaders. He would travel many miles to hear Mr. Bryan set forth his views, and fully believes the latter 's predictions that the republicans will be compelled to ' ' sit up and take notice, ' ' are about to be fulfilled. He has represented his party in county and state conventions and has served as township committeeman. He is to be found in the front ranks whenever the party is in action and is a leader in all measures affecting its welfare and advancement. He cares little for public office for himself, though he has served as school director, following his revered father in this respect. He rents most of his farm land at the present time, but has large herds of stock and keeps abundant pasture for them. He and his brother Joseph C. own about 800 acres of land in partnership. After the death of the father David W. moved from his own home to the old homestead, where all his father's children were born.

In boyhood and young manhood Mr. Wray had many interesting and exciting adventures. One of the most thrilling and one which he remembers most vividly, was connected with a trip to Chicago when he was in his seventeenth year. His father had fattened a herd of cattle for market, and in company with David and a neighbor, John P. Oakes, started to Chicago with the stock. (Mr. Oakes became brother-in-law of David Wray when, on October 11, 1865, he married Isabel Wray, who died December 17, 1875.) The trio mentioned above started with 117 cattle, going over the prairie, through much slough, with a yoke of oxen, and crossed the Mississippi River at Rock River Bridge, this particular portion of the journey being accomplished on July 4th. All went well until they had proceeded into Illinois, when they experienced trouble with the farmers living along the route of their journey. While they were in what was known as the "cat-tail" sloughs, the cattle stampeded and were lost for two days. Young David Wray took off his trousers and waded into the slough after the cattle and eventually they were all recovered and taken to Chicago. A month had been spent on this trip. The party camped out at night and had many interesting experiences during this time.

David W. Wray has married twice, (first) to Martha Virginia Vonstein, daughter of Philip Vonstein, who was killed in the Civil War, a sketch of whose brother, Peter Vonstein, appears in this work. The widow of Philip Vonstein married John Stoner, of North Liberty. Mrs. Wray was born October 18, 1850. Children as follows were born of this union: Carson Philip married Eva Lentz, lives on a farm in Madison township, and they have three children, Charley, Pearl Irene, and Everett William; Miss Lillie Belle, who was long the most noted beauty of her native township, married Clarence Wolfe, of Iowa City, a sketch of whom appears in this work, and they have a beautiful little daughter, Catherine Wray Wolfe.

David Wray was married (second) on December 17, 1893, to Dora Adeline Milby, a native of Illinois, and they have one daughter, Emma Edith (Burton) Wray.

Joseph Cyrus Wray was born and reared on his father's old homestead, attended the district school in boyhood and for one term studied in Iowa City Academy. Like his brother, mentioned above, he is well-read and wide-awake, and takes an intelligent interests in the issues and events of the day, being a stanch democrat. He is active in party councils and has served as township committeeman and delegate to county and state conventions. He rents most of his land and there are about 300 acres under cultivation. He and his father were for some time in partnership in raising horses, and many fine animals left their care. He married rather late in life, being in his thirty-fourth year when he was united in holy matrimony with Miss Dora Mansfield, a native of Danbury, Connecticut, but who was reared in Johnson county. Mrs. Wray is a gifted housekeeper and hostess and a valuable helpmate to her husband, looking out for his interests with intelligence and ability. One son has blessed their union, Frederick, who is married and lives in Cedar Rapids. Frederick Wray and wife had two children, Frances Thelma, four years old, who has been adopted by her father's parents, and Dora Elizabeth, with her mother in Cedar Rapids.

Joseph C. Wray gave a right-of-way through his place to the Interurban Railway Company, operating between Cedar Rapids and Iowa City, and his farm is known as the Joe Wray Crossing. Mid River Park, a popular picnic ground, beautifully laid out and illuminated by means of electricity, is located on a portion of this farm, the place formerly occupied by David Wray, Sr. Mr. Wray and his brother mentioned above, are fitting representatives of an old and honored pioneer family, and are accorded the cordial respect and esteem of all who know them.

As printed in Leading events in Johnson County, Iowa, history (1912). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.