Marion County, West Virginia          Biography of French MCCRAY LL.B.

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The History of West Virginia, Old and New
Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc.,
Chicago and New York, Volume II, 
pg.122

  French McCray LL.B., (West Virginia University) 1909, LL.B. (Ohio State 
University) 1910, is established in the successful practice of his profession 
in the City of Fairmont, Marion County, is one of the representative lawyers 
of that community and Divorce Commissioner of Marion County. 

   He was born at Fairmont, February 23, 1883, and is a representative of 
families whose names have been long and prominently identified with the 
history of the northern part of West Virginia.  His mother, whose maiden name 
was Martha Virginia Prichard, was a daughter of the late Thomas and Mahala 
Prichard and a niece of the late Capt. Amos N. Prichard, of Mannington.  His 
father, Charles Edward McCray, one of Fairmont's oldest, best-known and most 
prosperous citizens, was born in Harrison County, Virginia, (now West 
Virginia), as were also the latter's parents, John Elliott and Rebecca 
(Cunningham) McCray, the latter a granddaughter of John Dragoo, a pioneer 
settler of that section.  

   French McCray was graduated from the Fairmont High School in May, 1904, 
and thereafter continued his studies at the Fairmont State Normal School 
during the year 1904-1905. The following fall he entered the Ohio State 
University (Columbus), which institution he attended during the four years 
1905-08, 1909-10, College of Arts-Law, and received the degree Bachelor of 
Laws in June, 1910.  During 1908-09 he attended the West Virginia University, 
College of Law, from which school he was graduated in June, 1909, with the 
degree of Bachelor of Laws.  

   Mr. McCray was admitted to the bar of his native state April 8, 1910.  On 
the 28th day of June, 1910, he was admitted to the bar of the State of Ohio, 
and honor earned by the successful passing of the rigid bar examination 
required by that state; and likewise, on November 5, 1910, he was admitted to 
the bar of the State of Indiana.  In November, 1917, he was also admitted to 
the bar of the United States District and Circuit Courts.  Since November, 
1910, he has been actively engaged in the general practice of his profession 
at Fairmont, with a record of excellent achievement as a resourceful trial 
lawyer and able counselor.  During the 1911 and 1913 sessions he was special 
counsel for the Standard Oil Company at the West Virginia Legislature.  At 
present Mr. McCray holds the position of Divorce Commissioner for Marion 
County to which place he was appointed by the Circuit Court of said county 
July 12, 1922. 

     He is a member of the Southern Club (Ohio State), Sphinx Fraternity 
(West Virginia), "Sons of the Revolution, " Knights of Malta (Fairmont), 
Marion County and West Virginia Bar associations. His political allegiance is 
given to the republican party, and he and his wife hold membership in the 
First Methodist Episcopal Church Fairmont.  

    April 28, 1913, was the date of Mr. McCrays marriage with Miss Marry Rhea 
Flinchbaugh, who was born in a Columbus, Ohio.  She is a daughter of John H. 
and Alice (Alexander) Flinchbaugh, of Columbus, both natives of the state of 
Ohio.  Mr. and Mrs. McCray have a daughter Alice Ann, who was born in the 
spring of 1921.