Rosenberg in Fort Bend County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Taylor Ray
(1863-1936)
Photographed by Dave W, February 26, 2022
1. Taylor Ray Marker
Born in Wabash, Indiana, Taylor Ray left home at the age of 13 to seek his fortune. In 1890 he married Mattie Newton (1871-1951) and they had seven children. As railroad freight agent for the Wells Fargo Co., in 1894, Ray was temporarily assigned to Rosenberg where he remained for the rest of his life.
Ray was a charter member and deacon of the First Baptist Church and a charter member of the Masonic Lodge. After the devastating 1900 storm, Ray persuaded the railroad to let local churches use box cars until new buildings were erected.
Ray and others were instrumental in establishing the school district in 1898 and securing law and order. Ray served on the Rosenberg Board of Aldermen, 1902-1910, and as mayor, 1910-1912, of the commission form of city government. As treasurer, 1900-1910, of the Rosenberg School Board, Ray raised funds for the construction of the first schoolhouse and hiring of the first teacher. He became president of the school board in 1910 and held that position for the next 24 years. Concerned with quality education for all, Ray also started a black school and led in the inclusion of women on the school board. Ray introduced an athletic program in 1920 and football in 1923.
Marker Sponsors:
Descendants of Taylor Ray
Family
this page online
Lucille Lane Hanson
George C. Lane, Jr.
Milton R. Lane, II
Family of Nita Ray SoRelle:
Nita SoRelle Martin
Andrew C. SoRelle, Jr.
Henry M. SoRelle
Family of Robert H. Ray:
Colletta Ray McMillian
Bobby Ray Reid
Taylor Ray, III
Erected 1979 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 9058.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1894.
Location. 29° 33.134′ N, 95° 47.963′ W. Marker is in Rosenberg, Texas, in Fort Bend County. It is on Avenue N. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2611 Avenue N, Rosenberg TX 77471, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Houston Metropolitan Area. It is also on the American Gulf Coast. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the Republic of Texas, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Trinity Lutheran Church (approx. 0.3 miles away); Trone-Ray-Lane House (approx. half a mile away); Teague-Waddell House (approx. half a mile away); Rosenberg (approx. half a mile away); Rosenberg City Hall Gazebo Plaza (approx. half a mile away); Rosenberg Post Office (approx. 0.6 miles away); Fort Bend Telephone Company (approx. 0.6 miles away); Charles Harvey Waddell (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rosenberg.
Photographed by Dave W, February 26, 2022
2. Taylor Ray Marker Reverse
Photographed by Dave W, February 26, 2022
3. Taylor Ray Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on December 8, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 29, 2022, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. This page has been viewed 461 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 29, 2022, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
