BIO: Chester B. WRAY, Blair County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JRB Copyright 2006. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/blair/ _________________________________________ Donehoo, George P., Editor-in-Chief. Pennsylvania, A History, Vol. 3, Biography. New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Co., Inc., 1926, pages 11-12. _________________________________________ CHESTER B. WRAY - In the affairs of the modern business world it has become a well established fact that mind rules business as it rules the universe; and that man who can best control the output of thoughts from his mind, speeds best his business or professional affairs. The art of modern advertising is the art of suggestion; and in business and professional life, the man who suggests thoughts of success, thoughts of service, of kindness, of cheerfulness, attracts to himself the reflection or the return of those sentiments. But a man becomes what he thinks, so it follows that a man who sends out such thoughts, soon acts upon them, and becomes a servitor of the human race. Someone long ago said that self interest or selfishness brought success, but selfishness is not self interest, but its opposite, for the man who gives most is serving most his self interest, and the giver is not selfish. The greatest men have been those who have best served humanity, and today in modern business life, this thought is still operative. Modern education, opens the door to this knowledge, and there never were so many successful men in the world's history, as there are today. Mr. Chester B. Wray, who today is serving his community in the legal profession, after having given many years of his life in service to a great railroad system in the capacity of chemist, and in various other ways, has reaped the reward of his labors in the esteem he has won from his associates, as well as in the substantial success that has come to him. He is still moving along the upward path of service, and the future holds bright promise in store for him, for his interest in his fellows in finding expression along various paths, his activities in the civic, fraternal and social life, being but an extension of the service he is rendering in his own profession. His ambition, his enthusiasm, and his love of his fellowmen, is winning him a large circle of friends and an extensive clientele, that bid fair to carry him high in his field of endeavor. Chester B. Wray was born October 19, 1889, in Altoona, Pennsylvania, son of George H. and Annie B. (Lafferty) Wray. His mother was a native of Blair County, Pennsylvania, and is still living (1925). His father was born in Warriors Mark, Pennsylvania, and is engaged in business as a wholesale grocer. The son received his education in the Public and High Schools of his native town of Altoona, and then went to Franklin Marshall College, being graduated in the class of 1913 with the degrees of Bachelor of Philosophy and Bachelor of Science. Subsequently he attended the University of Michigan, receiving his degree of Bachelor of Laws, in the class of 1917. Previous to taking his college courses, Mr. Wray worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad System, and on completing his college course, and before taking up his law, he again worked for them in the capacity of chemist, his service covering about fifteen years. In 1918 he resigned from this organization, and began to practice his profession of law, opening offices at No. 212 Union Bank Building, in Altoona. He has since been moving steadily forward to his chosen goal, and his service to his fellows is leading him into paths of usefulness that will undoubtedly carry him to the heights of his ambition. Mr. Wray is active in fulfilling his civic duties, and his help can be depended upon in all matters that affect the general public welfare. He is a member of the Masonic Fraternity, belonging to Lodge No. 616, Free and Accepted Masons; and of the Chi Phi Fraternity of his alma mater. Since 1921 Mr. Wray has been acting as Court reporter for Blair County. His clubs are the Blair County Bar Association; and the Inter Fraternity Club. Besides his other activities he is solicitor for the Phoenix Building & Loan Association, and for the Alliance Building and Logan Association. In his religious connection he attends the Second Presbyterian Church. Chester B. Wray married in 1919, Margaret E. Riddell, born at Glen Campbell, Pennsylvania, died in 1921.