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Below is a family biography included in Portrait and Biographical Record of Berrien and Cass Counties, Michigan published by Biographical Publishing Company in 1893.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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DR. HIRAM W. RAY. Prominent among the professional men of Berrien County stands the name of this popular and successful dentist of St. Joseph. Both in professional and social circles he occupies a position of influence, and his reputation as a skillful dentist is by no means limited to St. Joseph, for his patrons come for many miles around. While he has resided in Michigan for many years, he is not a native of this State, but was born in La Fayette County, Wis., in the city of Darlington, the date of his birth being March 4, 1847. He is the son of John and Lucy (Wentworth) Ray.

During the year 1823, when adventurous pioneers from Eastern States were seeking homes in the new West, John Ray removed from Virginia, the State of his birth, and going to St. Louis proceeded via boat to Galena, Ill., where he made settlement. For three years following his arrival he was employed in the lead mines of Galena, but at the expiration of that time he removed to Willow Springs, Wis., and from there went to Darlington. He was a man of scrupulous honesty, whose character was above reproach, and who in all the affairs of life displayed the qualities of true gentlemanliness and honor. Near Galena, Ill., he was united in marriage with Miss Lucy Wentworth, a daughter of Elijah Wentworth. She died in 1865, and he is also deceased. They were the parents of eleven children, eight sons and three daughters, of whom six are living.

The subject of this sketch passed his boyhood years at Darlington and in the vicinity of that place. After having completed the studies of the common schools he entered Albion College, at Albion, Dane County, Wis., and prosecuted his studies in that institution for some time. On the 5th of December, 1865, he went to Galena, Ill., and there entered the dental office of Dr. James Brown, with whom he gained the rudimentary knowledge of his profession. Later he entered the Philadelphia Dental College and remained in that institution one year.

Opening an office at Bellevue, Iowa, Dr. Ray conducted a general practice there for a period of three years. Meantime, in 1872, he married Miss Isabella, daughter of William T. Wynkoop, a native of New York and for many years a leading merchant of Bellevue. Mrs. Ray was born in Bellevue, Iowa. Dr. and Mrs. Ray have a family of three children, namely: William H. and Lawrence F., who are assisting their father in the office; and Kittie Belle. It is not as the result of luck or accident that the Doctor has attained a position of prominence in the city and county, he having located in St. Joseph in November, 1875, but what he is may be attributed directly to his patient exercise of industry and sound common-sense.

Dr. Ray is a Republican in his political preferences and has occupied positions of trust, among which may be mentioned the office of Alderman and City Recorder. Socially, he is a member of Occidental Lodge No. 56, F. & A. M.; Calvin Brittain Chapter No. 52; Niles Commandery No. 12, K. T.; and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His residence, a beautiful frame structure, modern in architecture and elegant in its exterior appointments, is situated on Wisconsin Avenue and is one of the finest houses in the city. In their religious belief Dr. Ray and his wife are faithful members of the Congregational Church and are active in all the enterprises originated and carried on by that denomination. Dr. Ray is a member of the Michigan Surgical and Dental Association, and is recognized as among the prominent men of his profession in Michigan.

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This family biography is one of numerous biographies included in the Portrait and Biographical Record of Berrien and Cass Counties, Michigan published in 1893. 

View additional Berrien County, Michigan family biographies here: Berrien County, Michigan Biographies

View a map of 1911 Berrien County, Michigan here: Berrien County Michigan Map

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