M. William Bray | |
|---|---|
.jpg) From the 1935 edition of theNew York Red Book | |
| Lieutenant Governor of New York | |
| In office 1933–1938 | |
| Preceded by | Herbert H. Lehman |
| Succeeded by | Charles Poletti |
| Member of the New York State Building Code Commission | |
| In office 1955–1959 | |
| Preceded by | Ralph A. Lehr |
| Succeeded by | None (commission abolished) |
| President of theNew York State Bar Association | |
| In office 1950–1951 | |
| Preceded by | Otis T. Bradley |
| Succeeded by | Arthur V. D. Chamberlain |
| Member of theNew York Public Service Commission | |
| In office 1942–1945 | |
| Preceded by | George R. Lunn |
| Succeeded by | Howard B. Donaldson |
| Chairman of theNew York State Democratic Committee | |
| In office 1928–1930 | |
| Preceded by | Edwin Corning |
| Succeeded by | James A. Farley |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Michael William Bray (1889-10-25)October 25, 1889 |
| Died | January 17, 1961(1961-01-17) (aged 71) |
| Resting place | Saint Patrick Cemetery,Chateaugay, New York |
| Spouse | Catherine Claire Coleman (m. 1948) |
| Education | Union College Albany Law School |
| Occupation | Attorney |
Michael William Bray (September 25, 1889 – January 17, 1961) was an American lawyer andpolitician. He was thelieutenant governor of New York from 1933 to 1938.
Bray was born inChurubusco, New York on September 25, 1889, the son of John Bray and Hannah (Fahey) Bray.[1] He graduated fromUnion College in 1911,[2] and fromAlbany Law School in 1913.[3] He commenced practice inUtica, New York.
In 1924, he became Chairman of theOneida County Democratic Committee,[1] and he was Chairman of theNew York State Democratic Committee from 1928 to 1930. He was a delegate to the1928,1932,1940 and1948 Democratic National Conventions.
In1932 GovernorFranklin D. Roosevelt, former GovernorAl Smith and state Democratic Party chairmanJames A. Farley backed the nomination ofHerbert H. Lehman for governor, over the opposition ofTammany Hall and its allies. Lehman won, and as a peace offering Farley permitted Tammany to choose the candidate for lieutenant governor. Bray was nominated, and won the general election, defeating RepublicanF. Trubee Davison. (Prior to 1954 the governor and lieutenant governor of New York were elected separately. Each party's candidates for governor and lieutenant governor now run separately in the primary election, and on a single ballot in the general election.)
Lehman and Bray were renominated and reelected in1934 as he defeatedFred J. Douglas. They won again in1936, and Bray defeated Ralph K. Robertson. In1938 Bray was replaced as the lieutenant governor nominee byCharles Poletti, who had been Lehman's counsel and a Justice of theNew York Supreme Court.[4] Before Governor Lehman left office in 1942, he appointed Bray to theNew York Public Service Commission, and he served until 1945.[4]
In January 1948 Bray was confined to his bed by a heart condition when he was severely injured in a house fire. His death appeared imminent, and a priest administered the last rites.[5] Bray suffered severe burns to his face, arms, and torso, and his right forearm was amputated,[6] but he recovered and left the hospital in March.[7] In November 1948 Bray wed Catherine Claire Coleman ofNew York City,[8] who survived him.[9]
Bray later served as bankruptcy trustee for the company that operated public buses inSchenectady, and he was President of theNew York State Bar Association in 1950.[10][11] In 1955, Bray was appointed to a 10-year term on the State Building Commission.[4]
He died at St. Elizabeth's Hospital inUtica, New York on January 17, 1961.[12] He was buried at Saint Patrick Cemetery inChateaugay, New York.[13]
| Party political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | New York State Democratic Committee Chairman August 1928 – 1930 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Democratic nominee forLieutenant Governor of New York 1932,1934,1936 | Succeeded by |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Lieutenant Governor of New York 1933–1938 | Succeeded by |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
