Tuolumne
County
Biographies
JOSEPH BRAY
Among those who have been
successfully identified with mining interests in Tuolumne County is Joseph
Bray, a well known resident of Sonora, where his prominence is indicated by the
fact that he is now a member of the board of trustees of the city, having been
chosen to that office by the vote of his fellow townsmen. He has been a resident of this place since
1862, having come to the west when a young man full of determination, ambition
and resolute purpose. He was born at
Phillips, Franklin County, Maine, on the 10th of May, 1835, and
comes of a family that had its origin in England. His paternal grandfather emigrated from that
country to New England, locating in Portland, Maine, at an early period in the
development of the Pine Tree state. Melzar Bray, the father of our subject, was born in
Portland, and after arriving at years of maturity he married Miss Betsy Clark,
a native of Franklin County. They were
Methodists in religious faith. The
father was an industrious farmer and followed his chosen occupation until his
death, which was occasioned by quick consumption in the forty-ninth year of his
age. His wife passed away some years
previously, leaving seven children, Joseph being then but a little lad of six
summers. Five of the family still
survives, Morris Bray being now a resident of Santa Clara County, California.
Joseph Bray was educated in his
native state and reared on his father’s farm.
On the bright sunshiny days of summer he took his place in the fields,
performing his share in the labor that resulted in securing good crops. Throughout his residence in the east he was
connected with agricultural pursuits. At
length he determined to try his fortune in California and by way of the Isthmus
of Panama came to the Pacific coast. He
experienced much rough sailing on the voyage, the great waves dashing over the
ship until the vessel seemed in imminent danger, but at length they reached the
harbor of San Francisco in safety, at 2 p. m. on the 13th of May,
1861. Mr. Bray then proceeded to
Stockton, but followed farming on the plains in the employment of a Mr. Davis,
who was largely engaged in handling stock.
His wages were more than double what he would have received for the same
work in Maine and he was pleased with the change made. Later he came to Sonora, which has been his
home since 1862. In this locality he
began mining on his own account just a half mile from the town, and was
successful from the beginning. He became
interested in the Bonanza mine, which had been worked in 1852 but was
abandoned. When it was reopened Mr. Bray
bought out a claim in it in 1876 and he and his partners afterward took out
gold to the value of three hundred thousand dollars. A little later he sold his interest for seven
thousand dollars. He afterward engaged
in loaning money and also worked at the carpenter’s trade. He has a large brick shop in a good locality
on the main street of the town and is one of Sonora’s well-to-do citizens.
In politics Mr. Bray has been a
lifelong Republican and for eighteen years he has served as one of the trustees
of the city. No higher testimonial of
his efficient service could be given. He
has exercised his official prerogative to advance the best interests of the
county in securing the improvement of the streets and in the building of
substantial bridges, all of which have been a great value to the town. He is a faithful and progressive city officer
who richly deserves the gratitude of his fellow townsmen. He is most true and loyal to every duty and
no trust reposed in him has ever been betrayed.
Transcribed by
Gerald Iaquinta.
Source:
“A Volume of Memoirs and Genealogy of Representative Citizens of Northern
California”, Pages 193-194. Chicago Standard Genealogical Publishing Co. 1901.
© 2010
Gerald Iaquinta.