Marion County, West Virginia    Biography of  T. L. CORDRAY

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Submitted by Sherry Neff <Sherneff44@aol.com>, March 2000
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The History of West Virginia, Old and New
Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc.,
Chicago and New York, Volume III,
pg. 381
Bio: T. L. Cordray, Marion County

     T. L. Cordray, president and general manager of the Hall Garage Company of
Fairmont, has been a progressive factor in business circles of Marion County 
for the past seventeen years, and his success in the automobile field makes 
him one of the leading men in that line in the state.

     He was born on a farm in Winfield District of Marion County, September 
28, 1884, son of William E. and Jennie M. (Irons) Cordray.  His father, who was born on a farm
in Grant District of Monongalia County in 1845, removed to Marion County when 
a young man, married there, and during an active career gained prominence 
both in business and civic affairs.  For twelve years he was a member of the 
County Court.
 He left the farm when the dwelling was destroyed by fire in 1902 and removed 
to Fairmont and entered the feed business under the name of W. E. Cordray and Son.  
W. E Cordray died in 1913 and his wife, Jennie, who was born in Marion County in
1856, died in 1908.

      T. L. Cordray had a farm environment and training, and education of the 
common schools was supplemented by attending Fairmont State Normal School.  
Upon reaching his majority he became associated with his father in the feed 
business at Fairmont, but two years later he and his brother Joseph F. 
organized the Cordray Carriage Company, manufacturers and dealers in 
carriages.  This firm was dissolved by the death of Joseph F. Cordray in 
1910.  Following the death of his brother Mr Cordray sold the 
carriage business.  For three years he was deputy county assessor for 
Winfield and Union Districts.  He spent part of the year 1913-14 in the City 
of Cleveland, where he
familiarized himself with automobile industry.  He returned to Fairmont, and 
in the latter part of 1914 engaged in the automobile business on the East 
Side.  The Hall Garage Company was organized by him in 1917, and this company 
now conducts one of the leading garages in the city and also acts as sales 
agents and distributors for the Maxwell and Chalmers cars over a territory 
covering fifteen West Virginia counties
and a strip in Western Pennsylvania.

     Mr Cordray is president of the Fairmont Automobile Association, is 
director of the Fairmont Chamber of Commerce, and is a member of the Kiwanis 
Club, Knights of Pythias, Elks, and the First Presbyterian Church.  On April 
24, 1912, he married Miss Hallie Hamilton, daughter of the late Joseph E. 
Hamilton, of Fairmont.  They have an adopted son, Robert Luther.