My Genealogy Hound

E. R. Ray was born in Hickman County, Ky., on February 17, 1828, and is a son of Dennis and Nancy (Hays) Ray, both natives of Washington County, Ky. The father was of English extraction, and was born on August 26, 1798. In early life he taught school, but he followed farming as a life vocation. His death occurred on August 6, 1875. The mother was of Irish descent, and was born on March 3, 1803. She died January 12, 1884. E. R. Ray spent his early life on his father’s farm, and until he was twenty years of age was almost deprived of school privileges. Between that age and twenty-five he acquired a good education by attending school some, and much private study. He also taught school some in the meantime. At the age of twenty-five he began the study of law, and was soon admitted to the bar of his native county, where he practiced very successfully until the war began. During the war, and for several years afterward, he was engaged in merchandising and farming. In 1880 he removed to Eureka Springs, Ark., and resumed the practice of his profession, and now controls a lucrative practice. While a resident of Kentucky he held a county clerk’s office for eight years, and since coming to Eureka Springs has served one term as police judge of the city. On January 5, 1854, he married Harriet M. Brown, a daughter of Peter Brown, of Washington County, Ky. They are the parents of seven children who are living, viz.: Ruth M. (Mrs. J. B. Rawls, of Alabama), Susan N. (Mrs. A. W. Blackford, of Eureka Springs), Annie I. (Mrs. D. A. Oates, of Meridian, Miss.), Willie E. (Mrs. C. B. Fitch, of Eureka Springs), Edwin D. (a law student with his father), Joseph B. (of Louisiana) and Rachel R. The mother of these children died on January 12, 1878, and on October 10, 1878, Mr. Ray was united in marriage with Rachael Beasley. Both he and wife are consistent members of the Baptist Church. Mr. Ray takes considerable interest in political affairs, and is a Democrat, but he is especially interested in any enterprise that is for the benefit of his town, regardless of politics, and is a strong advocate of temperance and prohibition.