The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-10-02
DAVID s. RAY,
{. PROVIDENCE,
DIES, AGED So

Hon. David s. Ray, town treasurer Of
East Providence. died yesterday afternoon
at his home ON Taunton avenue, after an
illness OF more than two years.
Until a few years ago Mr. Ray had
taken prominent part in the affairs OF
his home town, as well as in the various
organizations OF which he was a member.
Politically he was a Republican. but for
several years there was no opposition to
him for the responsible office.
David Saunders Ray was born on Dec
"a, 1910. and was the son of Robert and
Mary n, (Graham) Ray. His early edu-
cation was received In tho public schools
of Rehoboth and Providence. and at the
age of 10 he began work OH the farm In
addition to his school duties.
When about l6 years of age he was ap-
prenticed to a shipbullder at Berneyvile,
where he remained until the business
there was discontinued. He later went
to Taunton as apprentice TO carriage
maker, and worked until 1853. lie lived
in Fall River two years. coming to East
Providence, then known as Seekonk, IN
1850, and opening a carriage shop.
In October. 1861, he enlisted as private
In Troop G., Rhode Island cavalry, and
was with Gen. Sheridan I'm the Shenan-
doah Valley. as well as In the army of the
Potomac, taking part I'm several engage
ments and seeing continuous service. In
October. 1864. he was mustered out at
Harrisburg, Va, as quartermsster ser
geant
He again took up carriage making, but
in tho fall of '65 went to Ohio In search
OF new business fields. Remaining there
three years he returned to East Provl-
dence and established another carriage
shop I'm Providence, continuing the bust
ness until 1874. when he sold out and set
up a hardware store In East Providence.
While I'm the hardware business he
amassed a considerable fortune.
Mr.. Ray retired In 1892, and since that
time had devoted most OF his time to the
duties OF town treasurer
In 1888 he was elected state senator from
East Providence and was offered the
honor the following year, but declined
lie was second representative In 1892
serving for three successive years. He
was at one time Lieutenant and captain
OF the Providence Horse Guards, as well
as hrst lieutenant and commlssary on the
stan OF Maj. George ~. Bliss OF the First
Battalion OF Cavalry, r. /. NJ.
In the Grand Army he was n past COM
mander OF the department of Rhode Is
land, being elected from the position OF
senior vice commander OF the encamp-
IltnN OF 1881 tte llibl Jolhtu Ailt ts ~ lN
I'm 1869. He transferred 20 Buckln Post
OF East Providence In 1856 and was its
first commander, serving three years. He
was on the stan Of the national COM
mander as alde-de-camp for two years.
He was a member OF ST. Johns lodge OF
this city, Providence Royal Arch chap
ter Calvary commandery, Knights Tenn
par. Palestine temple, order OF the Mys-
tic Shrine OF OF Naomi chapter, order OF
the Eastern Star. For three years he was
vice president OF the East Providence
Business Mems association.
lie married on oct. 30, 1854, Mary r..
daughter OF Miles B. Lawson Of Provi-
lenee, and children were born 10 the
union. Five OF these are now living. They
are Miles Hobart, Clara Josephine. Edgar
Saunders, Myra Amelia and Emma Lou
Use. all OF East Providence.
In addition 10 his immediate family ne
Is survived by two brothers, Thomas ".
Ray and Rev. Robert G. Ray. and a sis
ter. Mrs. Cyrus A. Aldrich, all OF whom
are Of East Providence.