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Thomas Ray
[History of Welland County Ontario, 1887]
Thomas Ray, contractor, bridge builder and farmer, Pelham township, was born in the city of York, England, October 11th,1833. His father, John, was born in Yorkshire, February 15th, 1806, followed agricultural pursuits until 1824. was then appointed an official in a lunatic asylum called the Friends’ Retreat, where he remained four years. Thinking he could better his prospects, he gave up his situation, and in 1828 came to America, where he remained eighteen months. Returning to England, he was re-appointed to his former position, holding it for seventeen years, when the favorable impression of Canada, produced by his former visit, induced him again to give up his place and return, bringing with him his wife (Elizabeth Elliott) and family in 1845. He settled in the township of Pelham, purchasing a farm for $8.00 per acre. He was twice elected to the Pelham township council. The grandparents of our subject were Thomas and Hannah (West) Ray. Our subject was raised to farm life, but at the age of sixteen years engaged in mechanical pursuits, for which he has a natural genius. His talent for construction led him early to engage in contracting for the building of the numerous bridges over the Chippawa river. He has built and re-built the following: O’Reilley’s bridge, first in 1869, rebuilt in 1880; Montrose, a swing bridge, in 1872; Beckett’s repaired some years ago, and built new in 1885, an iron structure; Tisdale’s, wooden bridge, 1881; Robins’ bridge,1881; and the Wellandport iron bridge, in 1883. Mr Ray married March 23rd, 1859, Elizabeth, a daughter of Jesse Wilson and granddaughter of Jesse Wilson and Benjamin Martin, the latter at an early date the occupier of the land on which the court house now stands, in the town of Welland. The family of Mr Ray consists of two daughters, Clara and Bertie. He is enterprising and energetic, and is well calculated to make his way in the world.
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