Bio of PRAY, Albert F., Hennepin Co., MN
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EXTRACTED FROM: History of Minneapolis, Gateway to the Northwest; 
Chicago-Minneapolis, The S J Clarke Publishing Co, 1923; Edited by: Rev. 
Marion Daniel Shutter, D.D., LL.D.; Volume I - Shutter (Historical); 
volume II - Biographical; volume III - Biographical
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Vol III, pg 791-792
A. F. PRAY (Albert F. Pray)
A prominent Mason and business man is A. F. Pray of Minneapolis. He was born at
St. Cloud, a son of Otis A. and Frances A. (Fenderson) Pray. His father was one
of the real builders of Minneapolis and extended mention of him may be found
else­where in this work.
The public schools of Minneapolis afforded A. F. Pray his early education and
subsequently he became a student at the Pennsylvania Military College, Chester,
Penn­sylvania, from which institution he was graduated with the class of 1884.
Upon the completion of his college education he went into business with his
father, with whom he remained until 1886. In that year he took up the
machinist's trade and spent the following three years mastering it. Then he
became associated with his father in the conduct of the Minneapolis Foundry
Company and was active in that connection until March, 1893. He was out of
business for a year and in 1894 made his initial step into insurance circles,
becoming an adjuster of losses for fire insurance companies. In 1915 he joined
Walter L. Badger in the organization of the Badger-Pray Company, of which he is
secretary and Mr. Badger is president. They are local agents for various
insurance com­panies and enjoy an extensive and ever-increasing business. For
fourteen years Mr. Pray was special agent and adjuster for the Royal Exchange
Assurance of England, which organization is the oldest of its kind in the world.
Aside from the insurance business Mr. Pray is treasurer of the Motor Maintenance
Company. He is a splendid business man and his genial and pleasing personality
has been a dominant factor in his success.
On the 17th of June, 1890, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Pray to Miss
Frances A. Laraway of Minneapolis and to their union twin daughters have been
born: Florence and Frances. The latter is now the wife of W. W. Craig of this
city.
The political allegiance of Mr. Pray is given to the republican party and the
principles for which it stands. He is prominently known in Masonic circles
through­out the United States, at present being deputy of the Supreme Council,
southern jurisdiction in Minnesota. The honorary thirty-third degree has been
conferred upon him and he is readily conceded to be a most exemplary member of
the craft. He holds membership in Minneapolis Lodge, No. 19, F. & A. M.; Zion
Commandery, Knights Templars; Minneapolis Consistory; and Zuhrah Temple of the
Mystic Shrine. He is past master of Minneapolis Lodge and was venerable master
of the Minneapolis Con­sistory for four years. He is Junior Grand Warden of the
Grand Lodge of Minnesota and president of the Directors of the Work in the
Scottish Rite. He is also president
of the Minneapolis Masonic Club, and is a director of the Minneapolis Athletic
Club. He has never been self-centered in his interests and belongs to every
organization that has for its purpose the development and improvement of the
city. For many years, from 1886 to 1908, Mr. Pray served in the National Guard
of Minnesota and rose to the rank of brigadier general and inspector general.