Lockley, Fred.  "History of the Columbia River Valley, From The Dalles to the
Sea." Vol. 2.  S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1928.  p. 479.
 
ALBERT J. RAY

     An energetic, resourceful business man of courage, initiative and
foresight, Albert J. Ray erected the guide-posts of progress and of success and
left the deep impress of his individuality upon the history of Portland's
development. He was born in Fontanelle, Nebraska, in 1858 and came to Oregon in
1875, when a youth of seventeen, locating in Corvallis. From 1875 until 1882 he
way identified with the hop industry and for some time was the proprietor of a
grocery store in Corvallis, also organizing its first telephone company. Later
he allied his interests with those of Newport, Oregon, and turned his attention
to financial affairs. About 1890 he removed to Portland, establishing a dairy
farm on Sovey's island, and was the first to sell bottled milk in the city.
Early in the '90s he became associated with J. M. Russell in the hop business
and the firm was known as the J. M. Russell Company. Later Mr. Ray acquired the
interests of Mr. Russell and about 1901 the name was changed to the present form
of A. J. Ray & Son. In 1916 Mr. Ray disposed of his interest in the hop
business, selling his stock to B. E. Maling, and aided in forming the Western
Bond & Mortgage Company, a Portland corporation, of which he was the treasurer
until his death in 1921. He was a man of exceptional sagacity as well as marked
executive ability and his name was a guarantee of the soundness and success of
every enterprise with which he was connected. In matters of citizenship he was
loyal and public-spirited and the depth and strength of his character, his
unfailing courtesy and unselfish nature won for him the high and enduring regard
of all with whom he was associated.
     Mr. Ray was married in Newport, Oregon, to Miss Harriett A. Wass, who
survives him.  They became the parents of two children:  Harold W., president of
A. J. Ray & Son, president of the Ray-Maling Company and president of the
Ray-Brown Company; and Dean G., who is assistant superintendent of the
Ray-Maling Company.

 
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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in April 2009 by Diana Smith. Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.