Duval County FlArchives Biographies.....Ray, Alexander August 30, 1854 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/fl/flfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Nancy Rayburn http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00025.html#0006128 October 19, 2015, 11:54 pm Source: Vol. II pg.106 The Lewis Publishing Co. 1923 Author: History of Florida, Past and Present ALEXANDER RAY, who has served since 1909 as city Treasurer of Jacksonville and whose every election has been compassed without the appearance of an opposing candidate, needs no further voucher than this in determining his status in popular confidence and esteem in his home city. Mr. Ray was born at Watertown, New York, August 30, 1854, and is a son of JACOB and MARGARET RAY, the former of whom was likewise born at Watertown, where he died at the age of thirty-two years. The latter was born in Germany, and she was forty years of age at the time of her death. The subject of this sketch was the elder of their two children, both sons. The father was a tailor by trade and occupation, was a democrat in politics and was affiliated with the Masonic fraternity. ALEXANDER RAY was doubly orphaned while still a mere child, and his education and subsequent advancement represent the results of his own ability and efforts. As a lad of thirteen years he found employment in washing dishes in a restaurant, his compensation being five dollars a week. At the age of fifteen he obtained a position in a real estate office in his native city, and about two years later he entered the employ of an important house in New York City, the concern being appreciative of his ambition and effective service, and aiding him by paying his tuition in a night school, where he learned bookkeeping. In 1877 Mr. Ray came to Jacksonville, Florida, and later he went to Putnam County and engaged in the growing of oranges, a line of enterprise with which he there continued his association until 1891, when he returned to Jacksonville and entered the service of what was then known as the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad. In 1893 he took an office position with the Florida Fruit Exchange, and in 1898 he engaged in the retail grocery business in this city. In the following year, however, he was appointed to a clerical position in the office of the city treasurer, with the functions of which he has continued his close association during the intervening years. His election to the position of city treasurer occurred in 1909, as previously noted, and successive re-elections, without opposition, have continued him in this responsible fiscal office to the present time. Mr. Ray is a democrat in his political allegiance. In the Masonic fraternity his basic affiliation is with Temple Lodge No. 23, F. and A. M., of which he was master in 1892, and which he represented as district deputy from 1902 to 1906. He has served continuously as treasurer of this lodge since 1908. November 1, 1888, recorded the marriage of Mr. Ray and Miss ARMINDA TYRE, who was born in Florida January 16, 1851, a daughter of JESSE and MARY TYRE, both likewise natives of the state, the father having been a prosperous farmer and having served as a loyal soldier of the Confederacy in the Civil war. Mrs. Ray was the firstborn in a family of thirteen children, and in her home city and native state has a wide circle of friends. Mr. and Mrs. Ray have no children. elections, without opposition, have continued him in this responsible fiscal off office to the present time. Mr. Ray is a democrat in his political allegiance. In the Masonic fraternity his basic affiliation is with Temple Lodge No. 23, F. and A. M., of which he was master in 1892, and which he represented as district deputy from 1902 to 1906. He has served continuously as treasurer of this lodge since 1908. November 1, 1888, recorded the marriage of Mr. Ray and Miss ARMINDA TYRE, who was born in Florida January 16, 1851, a daughter of JESSE and MARY TYRE, both likewise natives of the state, the father having been a prosperous farmer and having served as a loyal soldier of the Confederacy in the Civil war. Mrs. Ray was the firstborn in a family of thirteen children, and in her home city and native state has a wide circle of friends. Mr. and Mrs. Ray have no children. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/fl/duval/bios/ray211bs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/flfiles/ File size: 4.6 Kb