HON.
FINDLEY R. DRAY, State Senator, was born in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, Oct.
23, 1833. His father, Moses Dray, was a
carpenter and a millwright, and having lost his health, came overland to
California in 1850, accompanied by his son, Findley R., the subject of this
sketch, then a youth of seventeen years, who has from that time made this
"Golden State" his home, although his father returned in 1853, and
has since died. Hangtown (now
Placerville) was the first point struck, July 17, where for a little time
mining was carried on. From there he
went to Drytown, in Amador County, and in September of the same year came to
Sacramento. He next went to La Porte,
Sierra County in the Rabbit Creek mines, being of the first to go to that camp,
and finding snow fully three feet deep to welcome him. In 1852 he returned to this city, and after
remaining a short time went in the fall of 1852 to the mines at Shasta. The next spring he returned again to
Sacramento, and found it underwater.
For about twelve months he was employed in a store carried on by Joseph
Pratt, at McCourtney's Crossing, on Bear River, and afterwards by McCourtney. He continued this until 1855, when he came
down and went to farming about five miles below this city. In 1858 he returned again and engaged in
clerking for William Hendrie. In 1863
he went to the Reese River mines, Nevada, but in the fall of that year again
came back, and accepted a position in the sheriff's office under the late James
McClatchy, who had just been elected to that position. After the close of Mr. McClatchy’s term he
was public administrator one term, then County assessor, a position which he
held to the complete satisfaction of all for a period of no less than eight
years. Next he was appointed by Judge
Clark as a supervisor to complete the unexpired term of H. O. Seymour,
deceased. After he went into the real
estate and insurance business, continuing this successfully until, in 1875, he
became connected with the Sacramento Bank.
From that time until the present he has been a director, and as surveyor
has had charge of all the outside business of the bank in connection with its
loans, etc. It is not saying too much to state that his indefatigable zeal and
watchfulness has aided materially in advancing the warfare and prosperity of
that leading financial institution of this city. Two years ago he was elected
by the votes of the people to represent this city and county in the State
Senate, and again this year (1888) was re-elected for another term, so highly
were his efforts in behalf of this section appreciated. Mr. Dray was married January 1, 1861, to
Miss Mary F. Orrick. Eight children
have been born to them, of whom seven are still living. Their names are as follows: Laura E., now
the wife of George H. Perry, Esq., of San Francisco; Carrie E., now the wife of
W. O. Terrill, Esq., also of San
Francisco; Mary F., since deceased; Annie B.,; Alice M.; Arthur E.; Frank R., and
Bruce L., the latter five being all at home.
Source:
An Illustrated History of Sacramento County, California. By Hon. Win. J Davis. Lewis Publishing
Company 1890. Page 254.
Submitted
by: Nancy Pratt Melton