Born in Wabash, Indiana, Taylor Ray left home at age 13 to seek his fortune. In 1890 he married Mattie Newton and they had seven children. As railroad freight agent for the Wells Fargo Co., Ray was temporarily assigned to Rosenberg in 1894 and remained there for the rest of his life. He was a charter member and deacon of the First Baptist Church and a charter member of the Masonic Lodge. After the devastating 1900 storm, Ray persuaded the railroad to let local churches use box cars until new buildings were erected. Ray and others were instrumental in establishing the school district in 1898 and securing law and order. He served on the Rosenberg Board of Aldermen from 1902 to 1910 and as mayor from 1910 to 1912 under the commission form of city government. As treasurer of the Rosenberg School Board from 1900 to 1910, Ray raised funds for construction of the first schoolhouse and hiring of the first teacher. He became president of the school board in 1910 and held that position for the next 24 years. Concerned with quality education for all, Ray also started a black school and led in the inclusion of women on the school board. He introduced an athletic program in 1920 and football in 1923.