Patrick Henry Ray facts for kids

Patrick Henry Ray was born on May 8, 1842, in Waukesha County, Wisconsin. He passed away in 1911. Patrick Henry Ray became a high-ranking officer in the United States Army. His father, Adam E. Ray, and his uncle, George Augustus Ray, were both members of the Wisconsin State Assembly, which is like a state government group that helps make laws for the state. Patrick Henry Ray married Ada Blackman on April 22, 1889.

His Life in the Army

Patrick Henry Ray started his military career during the American Civil War. This was a big war in the United States from 1861 to 1865. He joined the 2nd Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment as part of the Union Army. By the end of the war, he had become a captain with the 1st Wisconsin Heavy Artillery Regiment.

After the Civil War, in 1867, he joined the regular U.S. Army. He later took part in the American Indian Wars.

In 1881, Ray set up a special station in Barrow, Alaska. This station was used to study weather (meteorological) and Earth's magnetic field (magnetic observation). A few years later, in 1885, a river in Alaska was named the Ray River in his honor. The Ray Mountains were then named after this river.

During the Spanish–American War, Patrick Henry Ray was in charge of the North Alaska area. After that war, he commanded important military bases like Fort Snelling and what is now Fort William Henry Harrison. He was promoted to brigadier general in 1906, which is a very high rank in the army.