John Ray
 

JOHN RAY, one of the oldest pioneers of Boone county now living, is a native of Indiana, born in Wayne county, May 2, 1822. His parents, Chesley and Nancy (Hoover) Ray, were both natives of Randolph county, N. C., and of Irish and German lineage respectively. Chesley was the son of John and Tabitha (Pettit) Ray, early settlers of Randolph county, N. C., where they reared a family of nine children, namely: Elizabeth, Presley, Sarah, Nancy, Mark, Jordan, Polly, Cynthia and Chesley, the last named being the second in order of birth. The birth of Chesley Ray occurred in the above county and state January 20, 1798; he married in 1817, and about four years later immigrated to Wayne county, Ind., where he resided for a limited period and then moved to Marion county, where the mother died March 6, 1826. The following year, Mr. Ray entered into the marriage relation with Mrs. J. Mitchell, widow of Robert Mitchell, and in 1846 the family moved to Hamilton county, subsequently to Illinois, in Knox county of which state Chesley Ray departed this life on the sixth day of March, 1869, his wife surviving him about two years. The family of Chesley Ray consisted of seven children: Netty, Nancy, John, William and Elizabeth, by his first wife, and by his second wife, Mark and Tabitha. John Ray accompanied his parents to Marion county, Ind., when quite young, and he spent his youthful years in that part of the state, being reared to a life of industry on the farm. On the twenty-ninth of August, 1844, was solemnized his marriage with Jane Jennings of Virginia, whose birth occurred May 16, 1828. She is the daughter of Allen and Eleanor (Thornbrow) Jennings, and has borne her husband three children: Chesley, Allen and Ella. After his marriage he began farming on the old homestead, where he continued to reside until 1848, in January of which year he went to Indianapolis and there remained until October following. At the latter date he purchased a farm in Hamilton county, where he made his home until 1852, when he moved to the county of Boone, locating first at the town of Zionsville and later purchasing the farm in Eagle Creek township, where he now resides. Financially, Mr. Ray has met with well-earned success, owning at this time a valuable farm of 110 acres, upon which are good and substantial improvements, the entire property representing the fruit of his industry and successful business management He is an intelligent and progressive citizen and a consistent member of the Christian church, and it is with pleasure that this brief tribute to his worth as a man is given in this connection.

Transcribed by: Chris Brown
Source: "A Portrait And Biographical Record of Boone and Clinton Counties, Ind.," pp 410-415, published in 1895 by A. W. Bowen & CO. Chicago