John Ray Brown was born January 13, 1885 in Kentucky. On his grave marker he calls himself J Ray Brown. This family really liked to use initials.
His parents were Joseph M. 1853 - 1900 and Tannie R.rown. Maiden name Ray from death certificate. 1852 - 1898
He married Edith Nesbitt b 1889, who was born in Northern Ireland. It would be interesting to know how the two met.
They had two children, John Ray Jr born 1919 near Cedar City, UT and Cynthiana born the 15th of February, 1924 in Los Angeles, CA.
Edith had a high school education and John Ray Sr. was a college graduate, which may account for Cynthiana's interest in education.
In 1919 her father is living in Lund, Iron, UT which is 35 miles from Cedar City. He is farming. This is where that Cynthiana's brother, John Ray Jr., was born 31 Mar 1919. By 1920 the family has moved to Los Angeles and John Sr. is a structural carpenter.
In the 1930 census Ray owns his own ice distribution business in the San Antonio district of Los Angeles county. They lived on at 1323 East 77th street. This area is near Little Tokyo in downtown Los Angeles. Paradoxically the location of her home is a school today. Cynthiana was 6 in 1930.
By 1940 John Ray Jr. is typesetting in a printing company. Her father is in the ice business doing retail and delivery and it appears her mother isn't working. Cynthiana has completed 3 years of High School at Fremont High School at 7676 S San Pedro St, Los Angeles, CA 90003
John Ray Brown died 24 August 1956 in Los Angeles and the body was sent to Kentucky for burial in the Smiths Grove, Warren County, Kentucky Cemetery.
1910 census:
1930 census
1930 census:
Location of home in 1930:
1937:
| Name: | Ray J Brown |
|---|---|
| Gender: | Male |
| Residence Year: | 1937 |
| Street address: | 323 E 77th |
| Residence Place: | Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Occupation: | Salesman |
| Spouse: | Edith Brown |
| Publication Title: | Los Angeles A-L, California, City Directory, 1937 |
|---|
1940 census
Full 1940 census sheet:
| Social Security #: | 569229357 |
|---|---|
| Gender: | Male |
| Birth Date: | 13 Jan 1885 |
| Birth Place: | Kentucky |
| Death Date: | 24 Aug 1956 |
| Death Place: | Los Angeles |
| Mother's Maiden Name: | Ray |
| Father's Surname: | Brown |
 |
| Brown, Joseph M., Tannie R., Claire, J. Ray & Josie May |
| Birth: | 1885 |
| Death: | 1956 |
 Note: No record of deed | |
| Burial: Smiths Grove Cemetery Smiths Grove Warren County Kentucky, USA Plot: C, 20 Tannie Ray, John's mother in the 1870 census: Note: this is the same area the family plot is located.   1870 census, she may be on her own here in Louisville, KY:   Research:      | |