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Hillsborough Biographies
Ray B Cralle

Source: The Lewis Publishing Co., Vol. II  p127  1923
Author: The History of Florida:  Past & Present

CRALLE, RAY B.  An acute, cool-headed man of business may command respect because of his great capacities in managing large concerns and his power to change circumstances and conditions to suit his will, but in order to secure the confidence of his fellow citizens he must have other qualities, and yet others of a still tenderer fibre to win personal affection.  Those who know RAY B. CRALLE best feel that in him are to be found not only the sound and dependable principles which make for business reliability, but the solid virtues of a good citizen and the admirable characteristics which win and hold others in the bonds of sympathetic friendship.  As president of the RAY B. CRALLE Company he occupies an important position in the business life of Tampa, and his influence in the automobile trade is felt over a wide area.

      RAY B. CRALLE was born at Louisville, Kentucky, January 12, 1891, a son of S. S. and ROBINA (STEELE) CRALLE, natives of Kentucky, the former of whom is deceased, but the latter survives.  They had two children, RAY B. being the only son and the elder.  His boyhood days were spent in his native city, and he attended its public schools.  In 1907 he came to Tampa, and traveled out of the city on the road until 1916, when he embarked in an automobile business as vice president and general manager of the Hulsey Auto Agency.  In October, 1921, he opened his present business, organizing the company which bears his name, and of which he has continued president.  He is a member of the Tampa Auto Association, of which he was first president, and he was the second president of the Florida State Dealers’ Association, and has been very active in the work of both organizations.  He handles the Hupmobile cars, carries a general line of accessories, and does a general garage and station service business, his being one of the reliable establishments in the county.  Mr.CRALLE is a Blue Lodge Mason, and he also belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the United Commercial Travelers’
Association.  He is a democrat.
    

  In 1915 Mr. CRALLE married GRACE HOULIHAM, of Lexington, Kentucky, and they have two children, JANE and GRACE.