Governor of Indiana. Born in Jefferson County, Kentucky, he studied law in Cincinnati, Ohio and was admitted to the bar. He moved to Brookville, Indiana in 1818 and commenced to practice as an attorney. He was elected to the Indiana House of Representatives in 1821 and to the Indiana State Senate in 1822. He became the president pro tempore of the State Senate and filled the vacancy of Lieutenant Governor when Ratliff Boon resigned in 1824. After an unsuccessful attempt as a candidate for the United States Senate in 1824, Ray became the 4th Governor of Indiana on February 12, 1825 when Governor William Hendricks resigned. He was reelected twice and served until 1831. The construction of the Wabash and Erie Canal and the Michigan Road began while Ray held the office of Governor as well as the development of several railways through the land of the Indiana frontier. He also negotiated treaties with Pottawatomie and the Miami in 1826. He was unsuccessful for reelection in 1831 and resumed his law practice in Indianapolis. Ray was the last non-partisan candidate to be elected as Governor of Indiana. He was unsuccessful as a candidate for U.S. Senate in 1831 and again in 1837. Ray was a member of the Freemasons, and after his political career, he was a lawyer, a merchant, owner of a tavern, and a newspaper publisher. He died of cholera in Cincinnati in 1848. His brother, Martin M. Ray, and his nephew, Martin Ray, were members of the Indiana Legislature.
Governor of Indiana. Born in Jefferson County, Kentucky, he studied law in Cincinnati, Ohio and was admitted to the bar. He moved to Brookville, Indiana in 1818 and commenced to practice as an attorney. He was elected to the Indiana House of Representatives in 1821 and to the Indiana State Senate in 1822. He became the president pro tempore of the State Senate and filled the vacancy of Lieutenant Governor when Ratliff Boon resigned in 1824. After an unsuccessful attempt as a candidate for the United States Senate in 1824, Ray became the 4th Governor of Indiana on February 12, 1825 when Governor William Hendricks resigned. He was reelected twice and served until 1831. The construction of the Wabash and Erie Canal and the Michigan Road began while Ray held the office of Governor as well as the development of several railways through the land of the Indiana frontier. He also negotiated treaties with Pottawatomie and the Miami in 1826. He was unsuccessful for reelection in 1831 and resumed his law practice in Indianapolis. Ray was the last non-partisan candidate to be elected as Governor of Indiana. He was unsuccessful as a candidate for U.S. Senate in 1831 and again in 1837. Ray was a member of the Freemasons, and after his political career, he was a lawyer, a merchant, owner of a tavern, and a newspaper publisher. He died of cholera in Cincinnati in 1848. His brother, Martin M. Ray, and his nephew, Martin Ray, were members of the Indiana Legislature.
Bio by: K Guy
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