George Washington Ray

George Washington Ray (February 3, 1844 – January 10, 1925) was a United States representative from New York and a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York. A member of the Republican Party, he served in the United States House of Representatives from 1883 to 1885 and again from 1891 to 1902, contributing to the legislative process during seven terms in office before accepting a federal judgeship.

Ray was born on February 3, 1844, in Otselic, Chenango County, New York. He attended the common schools of the area and pursued further studies at Norwich Academy in Norwich, New York. His early life in rural upstate New York, combined with formal schooling at a local academy, provided the foundation for his later pursuits in law, politics, and public service.

During the American Civil War, Ray enlisted in the Union Army and served as a private in Company B of the 90th New York Volunteers. He later served as a brigade clerk for the First Brigade, First Division, Nineteenth Army Corps. He remained in service until he was discharged at the close of the war. After returning to civilian life, he read law and was admitted to the bar in November 1867. He engaged in private legal practice in Norwich, New York, and also worked as a farmer, combining professional and agricultural pursuits in his home community.

Ray quickly became active in Republican Party politics in Chenango County. He served as chairman of the Republican county committee of Chenango County and, by 1880, had become a member of the Republican state committee. His prominence in party affairs at the local and state levels helped pave the way for his election to national office and established him as a significant Republican figure in central New York.

Ray was first elected as a Republican from New York’s 21st congressional district to the 48th United States Congress, serving from March 4, 1883, to March 3, 1885. Following this initial term in Congress, he returned to Norwich, where he remained engaged in local affairs and served as a member of the board of education of Norwich Academy and Union Free School, reflecting his continuing interest in public education. He later reentered national politics and was elected from New York’s 26th congressional district to the 52nd United States Congress and to the five succeeding Congresses, serving from March 4, 1891, to September 11, 1902. During this extended period of service, he represented the interests of his constituents through a significant era in American history and participated actively in the democratic process in the House of Representatives.

Over the course of his congressional career, Ray held several important committee chairmanships. He served as Chairman of the Committee on Levees and Improvements of the Mississippi River in the 54th United States Congress, where he was involved in legislative oversight of river and flood-control improvements. In the 55th United States Congress, he was Chairman of the Committee on Invalid Pensions, dealing with legislation affecting veterans’ benefits and pensions. He subsequently became Chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary in the 56th and 57th United States Congresses, a position that placed him at the center of consideration of federal judicial and legal matters. Ray resigned from Congress on September 11, 1902, to accept appointment to the federal bench.

On September 12, 1902, President Theodore Roosevelt gave Ray a recess appointment as a judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York, to a seat vacated by Judge Alfred Conkling Coxe Sr. Roosevelt formally nominated him to the same position on December 2, 1902. Ray was confirmed by the United States Senate on December 8, 1902, and received his commission the same day. He thereafter presided over federal trial matters in the Northern District of New York, continuing his public service in the judicial branch.

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). That statute authorized the President to appoint an additional judge to the court while providing that no successor would be appointed to the position held by the judge certified as disabled. Pursuant to this authority, Frank Cooper was appointed to the additional judgeship, while Ray retained his commission and title. Ray’s service on the federal bench continued until his death in Norwich, New York, on January 10, 1925. He was interred in Mount Hope Cemetery in Norwich, closing a long career in military, legislative, and judicial service to his state and nation.