The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1920-05-13
PAY TRIBUTE TO
WILLIAM [. BRAY
Remains of Pioneer Minis
ter Laid at Rest with
Impressive Services.
HAD NOTABLE CAREER

Simple but impressive tribute was
paid to the memory of the late William
| L. Bray, pioneer minister Of the Con-
gregational Church this afternoon.
The funeral services were held at
/ Green Ridge cemetery. The service
OF the church was read by the Rev.
Henry 7. Sell. D. D., pastor Of the
church and prayer was offered by the
Rev. i. w. Corey, D. D., pastor of the
| First Baptist church, who for many
4 years had been close personal friend
of the deceased.
The music was furnished by Mrs. Ed
ward H. HOLSTER, who had presided
as organist of the church during the
pastorate of Mr.. Bray.
Late this afternoon the remains were
laid at rest in the Bray famiis plot.
Had Notable Career.
The simple services this afternoon
marked the end of notable career Of
one of the men who had given his life
to the work of the church, largely in
this section of the country. Few men
were more widely known to the lead
ers Of the Congregational denomina-
ton than the Rev. William Louis Bray.
For more than half century he was
in the regular pastoral work of the
church and during this long period of
work his influence had been powerful
in guiding the general policies Of the
church. He had been delegate to
many of the national conventions of
the denomination and had headed inn
portant committees for church work.
Was Native of England.
He was a son of the late William Bray
and he was born near Plymouth on
February 5, 1882. The father, William
Bray, became one of the pioneers of
Wisconsin. He came to this country
with his family in 1845 and settled
near Elk Grove, later removing to the
neighborhood Of Darlington. DR.. Bray
was on his way to- the old Bray home
near Darlington when he met his death.
1t was memory Of the old days of
his young manhood which caused him
| to take short cut across the railway
bridge and pasture lot to the old
home which brought the fatal accident
resulting in his death. It has been
definitely established that Mr.. Bray
was not drowned but mark on his
head Indicated that in crossing the
slippery railway bridge on the night
Of April 21st he slipped and fell, HIS
head striking one of the timbers of
the bridge. The fact that no water
was found in the lungs indicated that
he had been killed before the body fell
| into the water.
Educated at Amherst.
DR.. Bray was educated in the schools
1 of his native town in England and af-
ter the family came to Wisconsin he
entered the old Platteville Academy
to begin his work of preparation for
| the ministry. Later he went to AM
herst College from which institution
he was graduated with honors as a
member of the class Of 1858. He con-
tinued his theological education at
Andover and at the Chicago Theologi-
cal Seminary and was graduated from
the latter institution as member Of
i the class of 1861. His first pastorate
WIS at Inc CHuECn at Aurora, ILL., Later
he served as pastor of Congregational
churches at Marshalltown, Ia, Hatfield,
Mass, Clinton, Ia, Kenosha and Shell
don, Iowa. He came to Kenosha in
1884 and remained as pastor Of the
church until 1891. During his pas
torate the church had great advance
ment, After the close of his passionate
at Sheldon he went to Koshokong, Mo-,
where for short time he engaged in
farming and then came back to Keno
sha to spend his last years of life.
Married in 1861.
DIR. Bray was married at Galena, Ill.,,
in 1861 to Miss Emily Ann Temple.
Mrs. Bray died in Kenosha in March
| Of 1917. Five children were born to
them and four survive the father. The
surviving children are: Mrs. Ella T..
Graham of Beirut, Syria, the wife of
| DR.. Harris Graham, leader in the
American University at Beirut; Mrs.
Alice B. Todd, the wife Of John R.
Todd of Summit, N. j.; Miss Mary E.
Bray of Pasadena, Cal, and William
S. Bray of Sheldon, Iowa. Mrs. Todd
and her daughter, Miss Frances Todd,
and Mr.. and Mrs. William S. Bray were
in Kenosha today to attend the funeral.