William A Wray
WILLIAM A. WRAY, a farmer of Kiskiminetas township, was born May 9, 1855, in Shady Plain, this county, son of Daniel and Sarah (Frantz) Wray, natives of Pennsylvania.
Daniel Wray, his great-grandfather, was born in County Antrim, Ireland, in 1754, and came to America in the latter part of the eighteenth century. He settled near Mercersburg, Franklin Co., Pa., but in a short time went to Mount Pleasant, Westmoreland Co., Pa., and afterwards to the site of Saltsburg, where he bought a farm of 200 acres, a portion of the town being built on his original homestead. When he purchased this property it was covered with timber, and the wolves frequently attacked his sheep and drove them to his cabin door. His death occurred in 1825.
Robert Wray, the grandfather of William A. Wray, was born near Mercersburg, Franklin Co., Pa., Dec. 8, 1784, and died Aug. 15, 1869. He was a farmer, and came to Kiskiminetas township with his son in 1820.
Daniel Wray, the father of William A. Wray, was born at Saltsburg, Indiana Co., Pa., April 1, 18l6, and was brought to Kiskiminetas township in 1820. He was reared on a farm, receiving his education in subscription school. In 1840 he commenced teaching school, continuing thus for six winters, and in the summer months worked on the farm. At the time of his death he was the owner of 165 acres of land. On Oct. 20, 1840, he married, and he and his wife had seven children, of whom William A. was next to the youngest in order of birth. Politically he was a Republican, while the Presbyterian Church at Elder's Ridge held his membership.
William A. Wray attended school until he attained his majority, and lived at home until his marriage. He owns a good farm at Shady Plain, and in addition to his agricultural interests, is a member of the board of managers of the South Bend Township Mutual Fire Insurance Company. For twelve years he was postmaster at Shady Plain, and in the years 1900 and 1910 acted as census enumerator for Kiskiminetas township. At the present time he is township tax collector, health officer and a member of the country board of viewers by appointment of the late Judge W. D. Patton, of whom he was a strong personal friend. He is recognized as a public spirited man, interested in the development of his community. The Republican party has his vote and support.
On Sept. 28, 1887, Mr. Wray was married, in Armstrong county, to Anna M. Anderson, daughter of John B. Anderson, an old settler of the county, and resident of Leechburg. Mr. and Mrs. Wray have had children as follows: Sloan S. and Grace A., twins, Augusta, Helen M. and Daniel. Grace A. was married Jan. 25, 1912, to Alfred Boyd Shields, of Worthington, Armstrong county, a prosperous and progressive farmer. Helen M. is a successful school teacher in her native township.
Source: Pages 684-685, Armstrong County, Pa., Her People, Past and Present, J.H. Beers & Co., 1914
Transcribed September 1998 by James R Hindman for the Armstrong County Beers Project
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