Siskiyou
County
Biographies
GEORGE K. BRAY
George K. Bray is another of the native sons of the
Sacramento valley who have wisely remained here and have not only won success
in material affairs, but have also by their own activities contributed to the
development and prosperity of the valley. He was born at Fall River, Shasta county, on the 11th of April, 1875, a son of
William John and Jennie (Beck) Bray. His father, who was a native of England,
came to the United States in boyhood and spent a short time in Michigan. From
there he came to California, by way of the isthmus of
Panama, landing at San Francisco. From there he proceeded by boat to Redding,
and settled at Fall River, Shasta county, where he met
his future wife, she also being a pioneer of that locality. They became the
parents of nine children. The oldest child was born in Siskiyou county, in which locality the parents had settled soon after
their marriage. They returned to Shasta county, where
their son George K. was born. Later they again came to Siskiyou county, where the father established his permanent home
here, spending his remaining years. He followed the carpenter trade for a short
time, and then turned his attention to ranching and stockraising,
which he followed until his retirement from business, at which time he was
occupying the home in which George K. now lives.
George K. Bray received a common school education and in
boyhood became familiar with ranching and stockraising,
which work he has followed throughout his active life. He is now the owner of
eleven hundred and sixty acres of land, on part of which he raises hay and
grain, all of which he feeds to his cattle, selling the latter on the hoof to
local buyers. Formerly he and his father ranched in the Butte Creek valley,
near Bray, which town was named in honor of his father. Later they bought the
Cole ranch, including the old stage station, which they operated for three
years. Then, selling that place, the father retired. His death occurred in 1922
and his wife passed away in the following year.
In 1905 George K. Bray was married to Miss Daisy High, a
member of a pioneer family, who settled near the town of Dorris,
where her family engaged in ranching and stockraising.
Mr. Bray is a republican nominally, voting that ticket in national issues, but
in local elections he supports the men whom he regards as best qualified for
the offices they seek. He has been asked to run for office, but has always
refused. Some years ago he became a member of the Knights of Pythias at Dorris, and now
belongs to the order at Hornbrook. He is a man of
sound judgment and practical affairs, has consistently stood for those things
which contribute to the welfare of the community in which he lives and is
regarded as one of its most estimable and substantial citizens.
Transcribed by Marie Hassard
02 June 2010.
Source: Wooldridge, J.W.Major
History of Sacramento Valley California, Vol. 2, Pages 139-140. Pioneer Historical Publishing Co. Chicago 1931.
© 2010 Marie Hassard..
Golden Nugget Library's Siskiyou County Biographies