Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-02-02
(By George r.. Witter. J

lss.55 (by 0tOISC WlIISlJ
After full half century of service,
with a record dating back to the very
inception of railroading in Iowa, JOS
epn Ray, with the SHOWS of rs winters
turning his black hair to gray, to-
day resigned his position, and forever
severed his official connection with
any railroad. For the past seven
years he has been day Waterman a.
the Iowa Avenue crossing of the Bur-
lington road, but failing health,
brought on by age and years of expos
ure to the elements has compelled
him to leave active duties and his re-
signation has been the result.
The life of Joseph Ray has run in
even grooves. Faithfully, efficiently
and honestly he has served his en-
ployers for fifty long years and more
In each of the positions he has held,
he has done his best. When as a
young man, teeming with the enthus-
iasml of the pioneer, he followed his
sweetheart from Pennsylvania to the
then new country OF Iowa in 1857, per
}haps in his mind there lurked dreams
of affiuence and wealth. These dreams
have never been realized, yet who
shall say the life of Joseph Ray has
been a failure? A respected and use
full citizen, a faithful and efficient emg
fploye, a kind husband and a loving
father, Joseph Ray has done his best,
What man can do more?
With Railroads Before War.
At the age of five years he left his
home in Center county, Penn, and in
1867, he left the east and came 10
Iowa, following the young girl of mis-
choice, Miss Reoecca Phillips, whose
parents at this time removed from
Pennsylvania to the western state
and later married her here He settled
in Eddyville, worked as carpenter
there, traded with the Indians and
hunted game over the wilderness now
taken up with the fertile Iowa farms.
He has watched the development of
the country and has seen the great
network of railways steal over the
west.
During the civil war he remained at
his post with the railroads, aiding
his country as mucL by his strict Of
tention to the transportation of troops
and supplies, as though he had fought
with his brothers of the north He re-
NAMED quietly at worn at an age
when his hot young blood was seeth-
ing with righteous indignation at the
rebellion of the south
For 25 years he was night baggage
master of the Burlington road in this
city. He saw and assisted in the cree
ton of the first railroad station built
in Ottumwa and was the first man TO
open the doors of the present Union
depot baggage room. For the past sew
en- years he has been fagman, faith
full and attentive and with record to
his credit equaleo by few in the rail
read, employ, both in the term of his
service anu his devotion to duty.
Born in Pennsylvania.
JOSEPH Ray was born in Bellefonte
county seat of Center county,
Pennsylvania, May 10, 1892
1882. His parents were Mr.. and Mrs
David Ray. When the lad was about
five years of age, his father died, and
the boy left home for the first and last
time. His first position was with one
John Bath, an acquaintance of the ell
der Ray, residing 100 miles north Of
Bellefonte. Here the boy worked or
farm for year, being abused and
maltreated by his master. During
this years time he became intimately