Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 517 - 518 

DR. ALFRED RAY, capitalist, is a successful business man and an esteemed citizen of Wichita. He can be ranked among the early settlers of the city, having taken up his residence here Dec. 17, 1874. He first rented the Valley House, and there meeting with such success as "mine host," he purchased it the following year, and until 1883 was a popular caterer to the appetites of the hungry public. He then disposed of the hotel and subsequently purchased one acre of land on Douglas avenue. On this he built a fine house and laid out the remainder in house lots which he advantageously sold. He is now living at No. 151 Hydraulic street, corner of Prince street, where he has a commodious residence, fitted up with all modern conveniences. Dr. Ray is actively engaged in buying and selling city property.

            The subject of this biographical sketch was born in Livingston County, Ky., May 5, 1819. His parents were Joseph and Margaret (Rutter) Ray, natives respectively of Maryland and Kentucky. His father was reared in his native State, but in early life moved to Kentucky, where he engaged in farming on an extensive scale, and became owner of a large number of slaves. He remained in that State until his death, at the advanced age of eighty-two years. To him and his wife had been born nine children, three of whom are now living, namely: Judge R. D. Ray, of Jefferson City, Mo.; Dr. F. G. Ray, of California, and Dr. Alfred Ray.

            Our subject passed his early life on his father's plantation and in school. He was a studious and ambitious scholar, and acquired a substantial knowledge of the elementary branches. At the age of eighteen years he left home and went to Macon County, Mo., where he purchased laud. In 1845 he commenced the study of medicine, and for a few years engaged in the practice of his profession.

            When the glowing accounts of the auriferous soil of California began to attract people from all parts of the United States and foreign countries, our subject was caught in the tide of emigration surging westward, and in 1849 found himself in the Golden State, where he at first engaged in mining. Subsequently he bought a ferry-boat, on Trinity River, and the next two years managed that, and at the same time was actively engaged as a physician. During the two years he remained in California he had one or two perilous adventures, one of which occurred while lie was making a trip on the steamer, the "New World," from Sacramento to San Francisco; while running down the river the cap head of the steam chest blew off, and twenty-one persons were killed, the other passengers having a narrow escape. In 1851 Dr. Ray started on his homeward journey, taking a steamer from San Francisco to Panama, but before reaching there came very near being wrecked. After receiving considerable damage the steamer finally put in at Realeo, Central America, where the passengers were safely landed. Our subject remained there two days, when he, in company with fourteen other men, traveled with three ox-carts to Nicaragua, thence proceeded down the San Juan River to Greytown, in Mosquito Kingdom, where they took a steamer for the Island of Cuba. From there Dr. Ray went to New Orleans, thence up the Mississippi River to Missouri, and from the river to his home in Macon, that State, having had a long and hazardous trip, the varied experiences of which are never to be forgotten.        Subsequently our subject engaged in the real-estate business in Missouri, remaining there several years. Being a man of sagacious judgment and keen foresight, he realized the great advantages offered enterprising capitalists in a growing town possessing such great natural resources as Wichita, hence in 1874 came here, as before mentioned.

            Dr. Ray was married, in 1842, to Miss Emeline Griffin, of Missouri. She was born in Kentucky, being the daughter of Capt. W. M. Griffin. To them have been born six children, namely: Mrs. Susan Gregg, William, Mrs. L. Edwards, John, Mrs. Mary Johnson and Edwin.

            The Ray family is an ancient and honored one, and on the paternal side our subject is related to some of the leading men of the country, among whom may be mentioned his cousins, ex-Gov. Proctor Knott, of Kentucky, and D. B. Ray, of St. Louis, editor of the American Baptist Flag.

            Politically, the Doctor belongs to the Democratic party, and warmly upholds its principles at all times. Socially, he is a member of the Masonic fraternity. Religiously, he and his excellent wife are earnest members of the Baptist Church, where he holds the office of Deacon. These estimable people have well performed their part in upholding the intellectual, social and moral status of Wichita, and have gained the respect and confidence of the entire people.

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