My Genealogy Hound

GEORGE H. RAY, Assistant Treasurer and Secretary of the Nonotuck Silk Company at Florence, Mass., whose portrait is presented in this connection, is a capable and efficient business man, and is held in high regard as an eminently useful and worthy citizen. He is of Connecticut birth, having entered upon this stage of existence, February 22, 1843, in the town of Canterbury, Windham County. His father, George K. Ray, now living with him in Florence, was born at Griswold, Conn., February 13, 1818, son of Daniel and Harriet (Tracy) Ray. Grandfather Ray was a farmer. His other children were: a daughter, who died; and a son, Moses T. Ray, who is a prosperous agriculturist in Mendota, La Salle County, Ill.

George K. Ray was a wheelwright, and was busily employed at his trade in Canterbury, Conn., during the most of his working years. In May, 1842, he married Elizabeth Burnett, of Canterbury; and they became the parents of four children, of whom two, a son and a daughter, died in infancy, George H. and Marion F. being the only ones now surviving. The latter is book-keeper at the Universalist Publishing House on West Street, Boston.

George H. Ray was reared to agricultural pursuits on the parental farm, and was a constant and diligent pupil at the district school, where he acquired a substantial education, being fitted for the teacher’s calling, in which he engaged two winters during his early manhood. In the second year of the Rebellion his patriotism was aroused to such an extent that, although he had not yet attained his majority, he enlisted, in August, 1862, in Company A, Eighteenth Connecticut Volunteer Infantry. He was at the forefront in many of the important conflicts of the war, and on June 15, 1863, at the battle of Winchester, Va., was taken prisoner, being subsequently confined, in durance most vile and abominable, at Libby Prison and Belle Isle, until he was exchanged. He was mustered out at Hartford in July, 1865, having served three years lacking one month. On his return to civil life Mr. Ray taught school one term at Leeds, coming thence to Northampton, December 9, 1865. He was first engaged in a mercantile business for a few months, giving it up to accept the position of book-keeper for the Nonotuck Silk Company, beginning his duties February 11, 1867. Mr. Ray has been connected with this company a period, of twenty-eight years, and has occupied his present office as Secretary and Assistant Treasurer of the company for the past ten years, a sufficient indication of his ability and trustworthiness. He is likewise a stockholder and a Director of the John M. Leonard Silk Company.

On May 21, 1867, Mr. Ray was united in marriage with Miss C. Emily Chesson, of Northampton, a daughter of Frederick W. and Ann J. Chesson, of Chatham, England, being one of their four children that came to America. Five children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Ray, one of whom, George Burnett, died January 28, 1871, aged three years; Annie James Ray, the wife of Harold Chesson, of this place, has one son; Benjamin Eastwood Ray was graduated from Amherst College in 1895; Elizabeth Chesson Ray was graduated from the Northampton High School in the class of 1895; and Julia Marion, a young lady of sixteen years, is still a student.

In local affairs Mr. Ray has always evinced genuine interest, and in the performance of public duties has shown the same efficient capability that has marked his private labors, devoting to them his time and attention in a generous measure. In politics he uniformly casts his vote with the Republican party, and for three years was a valued member of the School Board; he was also a member of the first City Council. He is also a Trustee of the Lilly Library. Socially, he is a Master Mason and a member of the William L. Baker Post, No. 86, Grand Army of the Republic, having been Commander two years. He and his wife are valued members of the Congregational Church, in which he is Deacon.