BIO: Warren B. WRAY, Huntingdon County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JO Copyright 2008. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm ********************************************************** __________________________________________________________________ Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley: Comprising the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata and Perry, Pennsylvania, Containing Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens and Many of the Early Settlers. Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. Runk & Co., 1897, pages 136-137. __________________________________________________________________ WARREN B. WRAY, Spruce Creek, Huntingdon county, Pa., was born December 4, 1860, in Franklin township. He is a son of William and Jane E. (Lowers) Wray. His paternal grandfather came from Ireland to this country at the age of eighteen. He was a cooper, but here he turned his attention to farming. He settled in Huntingdon, where he and his wife, whose maiden name was Douglas, died. The left children, among whom was William B. Wray. Born November 24, 1815, and reared in the southern part of the county, in the vicinity of Union Church, William B. Wray learned the trade of blacksmith, and worked at it until six years after his marriage. He was then obliged to abandon it, having lost the sight of an eye, which was struck by a piece of hot iron flying off the anvil. Mr. Wray now began farming, renting the Evert farm for five years, then the Muncy farm, in Warriors Mark township, for nine years, and then buying a farm, on part of which the city of Altoona is now built. He afterwards again rented the farm in Warriors Mark township for a year, and thence removed to the Madison farm, which he cultivated for nineteen years. Mr. Wray bought the homestead property in 1876, but did not make it his residence until the spring of 1879. His wife, Miss Lowers, was a native of Alexandria, Pa., born April 19, 1818. They had these children: Regina (Mrs. J. Porter Hazlet), Altoona, Pa.; Jane Ann (Mrs. Samuel E. Stewart), Arch Springs, Blair county, Pa.; David L., formerly a merchant, now in the lumber business at Bellwood, Pa.; Hannah M. (Mrs. William H. Wallace), Arch Spring, Blair county; Allie M. (Mrs. William R. Moore), Morris township, Huntingdon county; Ada K., keeps house for her brother Warren; James H., M. D., Winterset, Madison county, Ia.; William P., merchant, Bellwood, Pa.; George H., clerk, Altoona, Pa.; and Warren B. Mrs. Wray died May 19, 1887; her husband survived her but four years, dying June 3, 1891. They are interred in the Presbyterian cemetery at Alexandria. Their memory is a rich legacy to their children, for they were both devout Christians, members of the Presbyterian denomination. Warren B. Wray was brought up on the Madden farm, on Eden Hill, now occupied by Harvey Richey. He now owns the place which his father bought on leaving the Madden farm. His education was obtained in the common schools of his native place, which he attended during the winter, while doing farm work in summer. At the age of twenty, Warren Wray began teaching, and continued in that vocation for five years. He then rented his father's farm for five years. He had previously purchased fifteen acres, which now form a part of his present farm. In February, 1893, he bought the place from his father's heirs, and has made it his home ever since, his sister, Miss Ada, residing with him. Mr. Wray is a Democrat, but has never sought office. He is a member and a deacon of the Presbyterian church at Spruce Creek.