The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1920-12-24
i ~
JOHN H. RAY IS DEAD
Former Early ResidentD lies
In Los Angeles
INTERESTS IN MANKATo
Once Prominent Banker Here
Stricken Suddenly; Was III
Short Time

Word has been received in Man
'kato of the death Of John H. Ray
formerly prominent early resident
of this city, who has been residing
in Los Angeles for the past two
years. Yesterday morning his broth
er. b: T. Ray, 542 Byron street, re-
ceived letter from Mrs Ray in
which she stated that Mr.. Ray had
been ailing for some time, but
his condition at the writing of the
letter was better. About an hour
later the telegram arrived, which
read:
Los Angeles, December 20
John passed away last night sudden
H. Ray"
About two weeks ago B. T. Ray
received a letter from his brother in
which he spoke of the fact that he
was suffering from cold and had
been to doctor, who gave him some
medicine and informed him that he
would be all right in a few days.
Deceased was eighty three years of
age the twelfth of this month.
Native OF Ohio.
John III. Ray was born near North
field, Ohio, December 81 1886, his
parents being William and Ellen Ray
natives OF Pennsylvania. The family
moved, in April 1851 to Charlotte,
Michigan, where Mr.. Ray engaged in
the mercantile business in 1857. In
the year 1861 he came to Blue Earth
county, arriving at Mankato on May
%, and soon opened a general store
at Garden City, where he continued 20
do business until 1865. He then re-
moved to this city and erected the
store building at 40 South Front
street., and conducted a retail and
wholesale grocery business there
until 1872, the first establishment Of
the latter kind in the city. In Febru-
airy, 1872, he with others organized
the National Citizens bank. and he
was elected it's first cashier, which
position he held for twelve years. In
January, 1884, he went to Minneapo-
lis to take charge of the Manufactur-
ers' National bank of that city, which
also he had helped to organize. In
1885 he returned to this city and
aided in starting the Mankato Ma
tional bank of which in 1888 he was
made president and which position he
continued to hold in it's successor
the "Mankato State Bank" until
January 10, 1903, when he retired
from active work. Mr.. Ray always
refused to enter the domain of poll
dent, if less prominent world of bust
ness, in which he was most eminent
ly successful, and were he ever en-
joyed the esteem and confidence of
his fellowmen. He was courteous
genial, companionable gentleman and
a high grade citizen. His property
interests in Mankato were large He
built and owned for a number of
years, the building at Front and
Jackson streets, SO long occupied by
the dry goods store of George e.
Brett Incorporated, and which struc-
ture is now the property of the
Bretts. He was one of the founders
of the Mankato Cemetery associa-
ton and took a great interest in
starting GleHwood Cemetery.
More than ten years ago Mr.. Ray
and his family went to Minneapolis to
reside, his sons at that time were at
tending the state university. About
two vars ago Mr. and Mrs. Ray
moved to Los Angeles.
He was married first in December,
1859, to Miss Mary F. Williams, who
died in 1882. In December, 1885,
he married Mrs. Genevieve Hawley,
who survives him with two sons,
Attorney John H. Ray, Minneapolis,
member Of the state normal board,
and Phillip l.. Ray, also of Mime
an0liS