James B. Ray

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James B Ray
James B. Ray
In office
February 15, 1825 – December 4, 1831
Preceded by William Hendricks
Succeeded by Noah Noble
Born February 19, 1794
Jefferson County, Kentucky
Died August 4, 1848
Cincinnati, Ohio

James Brown Ray (February 19, 1794, Jefferson County, Kentucky – August 4, 1848, Cincinnati, Ohio) was Governor of the State of Indiana from 1825 to 1831.

[edit] Biography

His Indianapolis home, the oldest still remaining in Indianapolis, is within the Lockerbie Square Historic District.[1]

[edit] Public life

His administration while governor focused largely on internal improvements in the state. After the William Hendricks administration had restored the state's credit the new administration was able to move ahead with plans to build canals, railroads, and more roads in the state.[2] Construction on the Wabash and Erie Canal began during his administration. Industry in the state expanded exponentially during those years with several large factories opening up in the different locations around the state.

Ray would also focus attention on the poor. He urged the legislature to build asylums, orphanages and provide other means to help the disadvantaged in the state.[3]

Gov. Ray arrives to pardon the minor convicted of murder as depicted in the book Stories of Indiana, by Maurice Thompson.
Gov. Ray arrives to pardon the minor convicted of murder as depicted in the book Stories of Indiana, by Maurice Thompson.

Shortly after his election the execution of three murderers was to be carried out. Two of the murders where men and one was still a minor. The three men had taken part in murdering a family of Seneca's. In a last minute decision Ray decided to pardon the young minor, arriving at the location of the execution on horse back just in time to spare the boys life.[4] He died in Cincinnati, Ohio, aged 54, and was buried in Spring Grove Cemetery there.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Conn, Earl L. My Indiana:101 Places to See (Indiana Historical Society Press, 2006). pg.88
  2. ^ An Illustrated History of the State of Indiana, By De Witt C. Goodrich, Pg 196
  3. ^ An Illustrated History of the State of Indiana, By De Witt C. Goodrich, Pg 197-199
  4. ^ Maurice Thompson (1898). Stories of Indiana. American Book Company, 195-197. 
Preceded by
William Hendricks		 Governor of Indiana
1825-1831		 Succeeded by
Noah Noble
v • d • e
Governors of Indiana
Territorial State Seal of Indiana
State
Jennings • Boon • W. Hendricks • Ray • Noble • Wallace • Bigger • J. Whitcomb • Dunning • Wright • Willard • Hammond • Lane • Morton • Baker • T. Hendricks • Williams • Gray • Porter • Gray • Hovey • Chase • Matthews • Mount • Durbin • Hanly • Marshall • Ralston • Goodrich • McCray • Branch • Jackson • Leslie • McNutt • Townsend • Schricker • Gates • Schricker • Craig • Handley • Welsh • Branigin • E. Whitcomb • Bowen • Orr • Bayh • O'Bannon • Kernan • Daniels