SAMUEL LEE WRAY - Jefferson Co. Okla

Jefferson County, Oklahoma

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Information below was copied from:
"History of Oklahoma" by Luther Hill, published in 1908"

SAMUEL LEE WRAY, vice-president of the first National Bank of Terral, and who owns and operates a large and valuable farm near the town, is one of the most substantial landowners and citizens in this section of the state. Although he has never been active in politics or public affairs, his interests as a property owner and a householder have always kept him in line with intelligent and progressive citizenship. Mr. Wray is a native of North Carolina, born June 24, 1864, his father, who was a Baptist minister, being also born in the Tar Heel state (in 1834). The family is of Irish ancestry, the paternal members of it consisting also ofJohn, William, James and Kate, the sons mentioned remaining in their native state of North Carolina. The mother of our subject, formerly Viola Rebecca Hunder, died in 1877, the mother of the following: Mary, who married Milton Bird and died at Fort Smith, Arkansas; Samuel Lee, of this notice; Sallie, who died unmarried, and William B., a merchant and prominent citizen of Ryan, Oklahoma. The father was educated in the schools near his birthplace, and quite early in life was converted and during the period of the Civil war engaged in the ministry of the Baptist church. In 1870 he brought his family west, and after residing in Red River county, Texas, for some eight years removed to Newport, Clay county, where he farmed until 1897, when he settled in Louisiana and there passed his last years.
Samuel L. Wray obtained but poor educational opportunities in Red River county, Texas, Whither his parents had removed when he was but six years of age. At that time the country was new and sparsely settled, and the schools were most primitive in equipment and teaching force. As far as book learning was concerned, therefore, when at the age of twenty-four he crossed the Red river into Oklahoma to really commence a new life he had a very poor stock of knowledge to fall back upon. But he possessed an abundance of determination, health and common sense, and was a thorough farmer-which was more to the point in that country. With a couple of ponies, a saddle and a little pocket money, he fell in with S. W. Ryan, and at once was employed as a man-of-all-work about his ranch and farm. Like the Israelite of old he worked for his future father-in-law for seven years, but he served for cash as well as for his employer's daughter. Soon, after his marriage he began farming at Ryan, Jefferson county, and remained in that community until 1897, when he fenced a large tract of land near Terral and commenced to improve and cultivate it. Being a citizen by marriage, when the allotments were made he selected the land which he had occupied, and now has under control for himself and his dependents a fine body of 1,800 acres. With the assistance of ten tenants he produces a good crop of cotton, grows thousands of bushels of com and has also a fine herd of cattle. His home occupies a conspicuous site about three and a half miles northeast of Terral. His striking and simple residence, with white enclosure, his commodious red barn and other modern improvements, mark his homestead as one of the most substantial and attractive in Jefferson county. Both Mr. Wray and his wife have also large interests in the First National Bank of Terral, of which, as stated, he is vice-president. Although thus prominent as a strong factor in the prosperity and progress of his home community, he has never participated in politics or the administration of public affairs. His wife was formerly Serena B. Ryan, daughter of S. Walker Ryan, who may also be called the father of Mr. Wray's good fortune. The children born to their marriage of July 22, 1894, are as follows: Lester F., David W., Carrie E., William Thomas, Samuel Noble and Grace B. Wray .