Born on February 3, 1844, in Otselic, Chenango County, New York,[1] Ray attended the common schools and Norwich Academy.[2] During the American Civil War, he served as a private in Company B of the Ninetieth New York Volunteers, and as a brigade clerk for the First Brigade, First Division, Nineteenth Army Corps.[2] He was discharged at the close of the war.[2] He read law and was admitted to the bar in November 1867.[1] He then was a farmer and in private practice in Norwich, New York.[1] He was Chairman of the Republican county committee of Chenango County and was a member of the Republican state committee in 1880.[2]
Ray received a recess appointment from President Theodore Roosevelt on September 12, 1902, to a seat on the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York vacated by Judge Alfred Conkling Coxe Sr.[1] He was nominated to the same position by President Roosevelt on December 2, 1902.[1] He was confirmed by the United States Senate on December 8, 1902, and received his commission the same day.[1] On or about April 29, 1920, President Woodrow Wilson certified Ray involuntarily as disabled in accordance with the act of February 25, 1919, 40 Stat.1156, which entitled the President to appoint an additional judge for the court and provided that no successor to the judge certified as disabled be appointed.[3]Frank Cooper was appointed to the additional judgeship.[3] Ray's service terminated on January 10, 1925, due to his death in Norwich.[1] He was interred in Mount Hope Cemetery in Norwich.[2]
