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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
Contributed for use by the Armstrong County Genealogy Project (http://www.pa-roots.com/armstrong/)Armstrong County Genealogy Project Notice:
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