Charles William Bray was born May 26, 1876 in Champagne, Ill. and departed this life Oct. 9, 1944 in North Platte, Nebr. at the age of 68 years, 4 months, and 13 days.

At the age of 9 years he came with his parents to Frontier county where he grew to manhood.

He was united in marriage Sept. 22, 1897 at North Platte to Mary B. Messersmith of Stockville. To this union three children were born.

From the time of his marriage in North Platte in 1897 until his death in North Platte, Oct. 9, 1944 his life was marked with a colorful career as a pioneer stockman and farmer in the state of Nebraska.

He farmed near Stockville for 25 years, later in life he was engaged in stock buying which caused his change of residence to Oxford, Mitchell and the last 3 years in North Platte.

He was widely known throughout the state and will be remembered by his many friends in Stockville and community as a great lover of horses. While a resident here he owned and trained several horses well known to the racing world.

The immediate family surviving are his widow, Mary, two daughters, Mrs. Fred Claflin of Paxton, and Erma of Provo, S. Dakota, one son Floyd of Scottsbluff. Three granddaughters and one grandson, who is serving in the armed forces in England, two greatgrandchildren, two sisters, Luella Harmon of Vinita, Okla. and Essie White of Wahoo, Nebr., two brothers, Walter of Denver and Martin of Lincoln. His father, mother and one brother preceded him in death.

Out of town friends and relatives attending the funeral were: Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Contryman, Mr. and Mrs. Leroy Jorgensen, Miss Ira Claflin, Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Blake and Mr. and Mrs. Homer Thaden all of Paxton, Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Messersmith and daughters, Mr. Earl Watkins and Mr. Fletcher Phillips from Stockville, Mr. and Mrs. Lyle Messersmith of Maywood, Mrs. Gertrude Gibson of Ogallala, Mrs. Wm. Armstrong and Arlene of Curtis, Mrs. Lucy Adkission and Mrs. Amanda Kelley of Weatherford, Okla., Mr. and Mrs. Charles Jones of Edison, W. E. Bray of Denver, Martin Bray of Lincoln, Luella Harmon of Vinita, Okla., John Lanter, Provo, South Dakota.

Interment was made in the North Platte cemetery with the Adams funeral home in charge.

The Curtis Enterprise 53(39):5 Thursday, October 19, 1944