Grundy County IL Archives Biographies.....Ray, Hon Lyman B 
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Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com May 13, 2006, 7:49 pm

Author: History of Grundy County, 1914

RAY, Hon. Lyman B—More than half a century ago, the country was agitated, as 
later, over the formation of a new party. Then there was the impending 
conflict between the North and South, to consider. The old organizations 
seemed unequal to the task of handling the issues before the people, and the 
leading men throughout the North, organized what was to become the mightiest 
party of the United States, the Republican party. Few of the original founders 
of this organization are now living, but one of them, who was honored upon 
many occasions by this same party, is Lyman Ray, formerly of Morris, now 
living retired at Joliet, Ill., after an honorable career as a merchant 
extending over a long period.

Lyman B. Ray was born at Hinesburg, Vt., August 17, 1831, a son of John and 
Annis (Beecher) Ray, both natives of Vermont, the former a son of William Ray, 
and the latter, a daughter of Lyman Beecher, both of New England birth. The 
parents of Mr. Ray were farming people, who lived and died in Vermont. 
Although he grew up on the farm, from boyhood Mr. Ray had an ambition to 
become a merchant. After finishing his educational training in the common 
schools of Vermont, and the New England academy, he began to realize his hopes 
as a clerk in a store in his native place. In 1852, he came west to St. 
Charles, Kane County, Ill., where he continued clerking in a general store 
until 1855, thus gaining a valuable experience that served him well when in 
that year he came to Morris, and embarked in a mercantile business for 
himself. From then on to 1888, he conducted one of the leading stores of the 
county seat, and was known all over Grundy County as a reliable and honorable 
merchant.

After locating here, and becoming interested in public matters, Mr. Ray 
recognized the necessity of a new political party, and in 1856 assisted in the 
organization of the Republican party of Grundy County, his associates on this 
memorable occasion all now deceased. In 1872 he was honored by election to the 
lower house of the Illinois Legislature, and re-elected to the same office, 
and so well did he acquit himself, that in 1882, he was sent to represent his 
district in the upper house. In 1888 he was elected to the office of 
Lieutenant-Governor, and always gave of his best to the performance of the 
duties of his office.

On December 20, 1858, Mr. Ray was married at Morris, to Julia N. Reading, born 
in Hunterdon County, N. J., died December 16, 1912, her burial being in the 
mausoleum in Evergreen cemetery, Morris, Ill. They had one daughter, Julia E., 
now Mrs. Clifton W. Jordan of Joliet, Ill. Mr. Ray is a consistent member of 
the Congregational Church. He gave liberal support to all local enterprises of 
merit while living at Morris, and his beautiful home at No. 437 Vine street 
was one of the finest of the city. He took a prominent part in some of the 
most stirring history of Illinois and claimed as friends and associates many 
of the illustrious men of the time.

pages 888-889

Additional Comments:
Source:  History of Grundy County, Illinois, Chicago: Munsell Publishing Co. 
Publishers; 1914

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