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RAY BILLINGSLEY, of the firm of Billingsley & Doughty, attorneys at law, loan and collection agents, was born in Richmond, Washington Co., Iowa, Nov. 10, 1854, His father, William Billingsley, is a native of West Virginia, born Aug. 29, 1828, and his mother, Sophia Jane (Moore) Billingsley, was born Sept. 2, 1822, in Licking County, Ohio. His parents came to Iowa when quite young, and were united in marriage in 1853. After coming to this State his father embarked in the grocery trade, in which he remained but a short time, then sold out, purchased a farm, and has since followed the occupation of a farmer. In politics he is a Democrat. There were three children in the family, of whom Ray is the eldest. The others are May, wife of G. F. Lathrop of Iowa City, a retired farmer; and Jay, a merchant, residing at What Cheer.Ray Billingsley, the subject of this sketch, received his primary education in the common schools, and in 1870 entered the State University at Iowa City, from which he graduated in 1877. He then entered the Law Department and graduated in 1879. In October, 1879, he came to Vinton, and commenced the practice of law, forming a partnership with D. E. Voris, under the firm name of Voris & Billingsley. The partnership continued until September, 1880, when Mr. Voris retired. A patnership was then formed with Mr. Geissler, under the firm name of Billingsley & Geissler. On account of ill-health Mr. Geissler was compelled to retire at the expiration of one year, and he is at present engaged in the banking business at Carroll City, Iowa. From 1881 to the spring of 1886 Mr. Billingsley continued alone in the practice of his profession.
On the 22d day of February, 1882, he was united in marriage with Miss Eleanor Patterson, born July 12, 1857, and a daughter of Hon. J. G. Patterson, of Charles City, Iowa. Mr. Patterson was a prominent man, was at one time State Senator, and was for many years Attorney for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Company. Mr. Patterson was killed at Spencer while engaged in business for the railroad company. Mr. and Mrs. Billingsley are the parents of two children- William P. and Helen May. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church of Vinton, of which body Mr. Billingsley is a Deacon, and also Superintendent of the Sunday-school. He is a member of the Legion of Honor of Vinton, and has been Secretary since its organization.
Source Citation: "1887 Benton County, Iowa Biographies" [database online] Benton County IAGenWeb Project. <http://iagenweb.org/benton/>
Original data: "Portrait and Biographical Album of Benton County, Iowa." Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1887, p. 181-182.
Transcribed by: Sue Soden. Submitted to the Benton County IAGenWeb Project on June 16th, 2007. Copyright © 2007 The IAGenWeb Project.
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