Rayborn Lee Conway (Biography)

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Rayborn Lee Conway, superintendent of Longton public schools, was born at Blackwater, Missouri, November 3, 1895, son of James Franklin and Mamie (Crockett) Conway.  The father was born at St. Louis, Missouri, September 15, 1837 and is a public school teacher, having served in that capacity for 36 years.  He is the son of John and Ann Conway of the Parish of Sixman County Kerry, Ireland.  Mamie Crockett was born in Cooper County, Missouri, June 10, 1867, and died there on June 18, 1898.  She was the daughter of the Reverend and Mrs. Robert Crockett, who were of Scotch- Irish ancestry.

Mr. Conway attended the Cotton Patch rural school from which he was graduated in 1910, and in May 1927, was awarded the Bachelor of Arts degree from Williiam Jewell College.  He taught two years in the rural schools of Missouri, and then became high school principal at Arrow Rock, Missouri.  After leaving Arrow Rock he was ordained and preached five years in the Baptist Church.  He served later as principal of the Lucas High School at Lucas, Kansas, and in 1928 became superintendent of the Longton Public Schools.

On April 24, 1922, he was married to Edith Fenwick at Liberty, Missouri.  Mrs. Conway was born at Hardeman, Missouri, December 20, 1899, attended William Jewell College and was a public school teacher before her marriage.  She is the daughter of Edgar and Lena Fenwick.  There is one son, James Edgar, born May 12, 1926.

Mrs. Conway is a member of the Baptist Church,  the Order of Eastern Star, the Federation of Women's Clubs and the American Legion Auxiliary.

During the late war Mr. Conway served with Company A, 351st Infantry, 88th Division.  He was promoted to the rank of corporal in November1918, and served in the Center Haute Alsace Sector.  He is a member of the American Legion.  His professional organizations include the Kansas State Teachers Association and the Elk County Teachers Association of which he was president in 1929 and 1931.  He is a member of the Baptist Church and the Masons.  He enjoys baseball while his hobby is mechanics.  (Photograph on page 252)

Residence:  Longton.