Contributed by Charlene Saunders:
BENJAMIN RAY, deceased, was a resident of Wea Township, and one of the
most enterprising and successful business men of Tippecanoe County, his
occupation being that of agriculture and handling live stock. Born in
Pickaway County, Ohio, January 3, 1821, he was reared there in the
pursuits which he followed through life. At the age of twenty-one years
he married MARY FRYBACH, a native of the same county. In 1838 he made a
preliminary visit to this county, remaining some time, thus becoming
fully acquainted with the peculiarities of the wild West. In 1841 he
came again to Tippecanoe, and the next year purchased a farm in
Vermillion County, Illinois, where he settled and lived until 1848. In
1844 he lost his wife; and in January, 1847, he married MARTHA SMITH, a
native of Oxfordshire, England, who was but four years of age when she
came with her parents, JOSEPH and ANN (BROOKS) SMITH, to America. Her
parents resided in the State of of New York five years, and then removed
to Illinois, where they lived the remainder of their days. They had a
numerous family. A number of her brothers are leading citizens of
Illinois, where their parents had lived.
In February, 1848, MR. RAY sold his Illinois farm, came again to
Tippecanoe County, and settled on section 18, Wea Towsnhip, with but
little means; but by energy and good management he became one of the
chief agriculturists and stockraisers in the county. He in time came
into possession of 5,000 acres of the best soil. Inheriting on the side
of his father, GEORGE RAY, the elements of German industry and economy,
as the phrases are, he "made every edge cut," "drove with a steady
rein," and "reaped the harvest of the industrious man."
Politically he was a Republican. He never aspired to office, but in
1871 he was induced to become a candidate for the legislature, and was
elected by a large majority. He died April 21, 1880, leaving to his
family a competence which his own energy and tact had acquired. His two
children by his first wife were JOHN N. and ELIAS, both residing in this
county. The present MRS. RAY has two children, namely--MRS. LAURA R.
BLACKSTOCK and MISS MARTHA E. RAY, living with her mother. She has lost
two sons--BENJAMIN F., at the age of twenty-nine years, and CLINTON at
the age of twenty-four. MRS. RAY still owns the homestead, where she
resides, comprising nearly 600 acres of good and highly improved land.
Her home is one of the most beautiful to be found in the State. The
house is of modern style, furnished in excellent taste, and surrounded
by an oak grove that is a luxury to behold.
Biographical Record and Portrait Album of Tippecanoe County, Indiana
pp. 550-551