Carroll Co., AR - Biographies - E. R. Ray

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E. R. Ray was born in Hickman County, Ky., on February 17, 1828, and 
is a son of Dennis and Nancy (Hays) Ray, both natives of Washington 
County, Ky. The father was of English extraction, and was born on 
August 26, 1798. In early life he taught school, but he followed 
farming as a life vocation. His death occurred on August 6, 1875. The 
mother was of Irish descent, and was born on March 3, 1803. She died 
January 12, 1884. E. R. Ray spent his early life on his father's farm, 
and until he was twenty years of age was almost deprived of school 
privileges. Between that age and twenty-five he acquired a good 
education by attending school some, and much private study. He also 
[p.1072] taught school some in the meantime. At the age of twenty five 
he began the study of law, and was soon admitted to the bar of his 
native county, where he practiced very successfully until the war 
began. During the war, and for several years afterward, he was engaged 
in merchandising and farming. In 1880 he removed to Eureka Springs, 
Ark., and resumed the practice of his profession, and now controls a 
lucrative practice. While a resident of Kentucky he held a county 
clerk's office for eight years, and since coming to Eureka Springs has 
served one term as police judge of the city. On January 5, 1854, he 
married Harriet M. Brown, a daughter of Peter Brown, of Washington 
County, Ky. They are the parents of seven children who are living, 
viz.: Ruth M. (Mrs. J. B. Rawls, of Alabama), Susan N. (Mrs. A. W. 
Blackford, of Eureka Springs), Annie I. (Mrs. D. A. Oates, of 
Meridian, Miss.), Willie E. (Mrs. C. B. Fitch, of Eureka Springs), 
Edwin D. (a law student with his father), Joseph B. (of Louisiana) and 
Rachel R. The mother of these children died on January 12, 1878, and 
on October 10, 1878, Mr. Ray was united in marriage with Rachael 
Beasley. Both he and wife are consistent members of the Baptist 
Church. Mr. Ray takes considerable interest in political affairs, and 
is a Democrat, but he is especially interested in any enterprise that 
is for the benefit of his town, regardless of politics, and is a 
strong advocate of temperance and prohibition.