The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1883-07-11
WILSON RRAY

The gentleman whose name heads these
paragraphs has certainly experienced his
full share of those vicssitudes in business
life that are usually supposed to fall to
the lot of an energetic American. And
as it is the purpose of THE RECORD in
these "walks and talks !" to speak of
persons quite as much as of things, we
shall at least outline Mr.. Bray's business
life. He is native Of IIunterdon county.
As long ago as 1910 he began learning
the carpenters and joiner's trade with
the late Sidney Blackwell--a man who
was one Of Lambertvilles best friends
and one of its most active, energetic
workers. Having acquired the trade Mr..
Bray then travelled through the Southern
and Western States for some years, and
in 1850 he proceeded to California. 1t is
unnecessary that we should dilate upon
his experiences as q miner--as carpenter
las contractor and builder during those
flush times-it is sufficient to say that he
remained in California nine years and
then returned to this section, where, for
the following nine years he was engaged
in farming and the flax trade.
In the year 1867 he turned his attention
to matter that has since been provoea-
tive of wonderful effects. He had seen
the vast herds of cattle in the southwest,
and he believed that a method of shipping
dressed beef might be perfected. Ex-
pertinent followed experiment, and in the
year 1869 he shipped the first cargo of
fresh, dressed beef upon salt water, lading
vessel at Indianola, Texas, for New
Orleans, this being done in the interest of
a company that had been formed in Phil
adelphia for this purpose, Mr.. Bray hav-
ing for an assistant Henry C. Hunt, now
resident of Lambertville. This and
subsequent efforts determined him upon
attempting a trans. ocean business, so he
came North. A company was organized
in Philadelphia, and he was employed to
superintend the fitting up Of the Ameri-
can line of steamers with refrigerators
and other adjuncts of the business. In
the meantime he visited Europe, familiar
lied himself with the market, and was
prepared, upon his return, to enter heart
and soul upon the work in hand-a work
that afterward, under his direction and
that of others, reached gigantic proper
tions.
The extremely high price of beef in 81
operated as check upon tho enterprise,
but Mr.. Bray had retired from it, the
work of shipping being in practical opera
ton, he having engaged in the coal and
wood trade here in 1879, buying the old
est established yard in the city. A CAPT
tai location is had at the foot of Coryell
street, and the dockage front of the yard
admits the rapid unloading of boats that
bear the black diamonds from Maneh
Chunk to this city.
As nearly as we can learn, between
90, 900 and $4,000 tons of coal are con
sumed in Lambertyille per year; what
proportion of this gross amount Mr.. Bray
or any Oliief dealer nanuleS we arc not III
liberty to mention so far as his business
is concerned, however, he appears right
well satisfied, and it is apparent that his
trade constantly grows. His farmer trade
is especially large. The sale of hard
wood for fuel is also a very considerable
item.
All of the coal received at the yard is
carefully screened, and the different sizes,
chestnut, stove and egg, reach the con-
sumner in the best Of shape in fact great
care is taken to deliver clean coal, because
it is to family trade that the yard chiefly
caters.
To the business Mr.. Bray gives his per
sonal attention-he expresses himself wei
satisfied with the condition and outlook
of trade, and THE RECORD cordially
wishes the enterprise renewed prosperity
under his management.