JOHN H PRAY

John H. Pray
Jan. 19 1855
Dec. 7 1915

Row 14, #1
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John was born in January, 1855 in Wapallo County, Iowa, the eldest of nine children of William M. Pray and Letitia Bennett. His siblings: Mary, George, Wallace, Francis, Emerson, Lewis, Cora, Ida, Sarah and Rosey.

In Wayne County, Iowa, on 12 Sep 1875, John married Emma E. Frame, daughter of William George Frame and Louisa Marie Hopwood. Emma states in the 1900 census that she had given birth to eight children but only six were living: Amos, Roy, Carrie, Otis, Charles and Everett.

John was a farmer and homesteader for a short time in Kansas. He also attended college in Oskaloosa. The family lived in Wright township, Wayne County, though by 1900, they are found in Des Moines, Polk Co., Iowa.

Interestingly, in the 1910 census, Emma, living with two of her children, states that she is widowed but John did not die till 1915 so it's possible a divorce took place -- because on 26 May 1907 in Des Moines, Polk Co., Iowa, John married Effie L. Gilbert, 33, daughter of J. B. Gilbert and Martha Elston. In 1910, they are living in Des Moines with her two children, Harry and Hazel.

John was only 60 when he died. He is buried next to his father's younger half-brother, James.

A detailed biography can be found online in "Biographical and Historical Record of Wayne and Appanoose Counties, Iowa," page 380