William E. Raymond Biography


	This biography appears on pages 855-856 in "History of South 
	Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. I (1904) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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	WILLIAM E. RAYMOND is a native of the state of Wisconsin, having 
been born on the homestead farm, near Ripon, on the 19th of August, 
1857. He is a son of Ezra and Armine (Monette) Raymond, the former of 
whom was born in Vermont and the latter in the state of New York. In 
the agnatic line the genealogy is traced back to distinguished French 
stock, the subject of this review being a direct descendant of the 
fourth count of Toulouse, France, while the name figures prominently in 
the early annals of French history. Ezra Raymond was numbered among the 
pioneers of Wisconsin, and was there engaged in farming, though now 
residing in Morrison county, Minnesota. Three brothers were active 
participants in the war of the Rebellion, and the name is one which has 
ever stood for loyalty and patriotism as well as for a high order of 
citizenship.  

	The subject of this review was the second in order of birth in a 
family of five children, all of whom are yet living. He received his 
early educational training in the public schools of his native county, 
and supplemented the same by attending Ripon College, in the meanwhile 
having materially assisted in the work and management of the home farm. 
He finally began reading law, with a view to preparing himself for the 
practice of the same, but his financial resources were limited and he 
was compelled to abandon his technical studies in order to earn a 
livelihood. He thus engaged in teaching school, having been successful 
in his pedagogic work and having been employed in various schools in 
Wisconsin and southern Minnesota, while later he was for three years 
engaged in the photographic business in Wisconsin. Thereafter he 
devoted his attention to teaching during the winter terms, while he 
worked at the carpenter trade during the summer seasons, thus 
continuing until 1886, when he left Wisconsin to cast in his lot with 
the coming state of South Dakota. In that year he established himself 
in the general merchandise business in the embryonic village of Twin 
Brooks, being the pioneer merchant of the town and one of its founders, 
as is evident when we revert to the fact that when he located here the 
village was represented by but one building, and that not completed. 
Within six months the town had gained as large a population as it now 
boasts, but its fortunes waned during the hard times and the population 
dwindled. It is gratifying to note that the era of prosperity and 
substantial progress has come once more to the village, which can not 
fail to hold its own owing to the magnificent resources of the country 
in which it is placed. Mr. Raymond continued in the mercantile trade 
here until 1889, after which he conducted a general repair shop for 
five years, also teaching at intervals, in Twin Brooks township. In 
1893 he entered claim to one hundred and sixty acres of his present 
farm, which now comprises an entire section, and upon his place he has 
made the best of permanent improvements, having a nice residence and 
other good buildings, while the entire farm gives evidence of thrift, 
excellent management and prosperity. In addition to the agricultural 
feature of his enterprise Mr. Raymond gives special attention to the 
raising of live stock, having some fine specimens of full-blooded 
Durham cattle and having his entire herd well graded up, while the same 
is true in connection with his swine, in which line he gives preference 
to the Poland-China type.  

	Mr. Raymond is a man of strong intellectuality and liberal ideas, 
and his public spirit is exemplified in the support which he lends to 
all worthy measures and enterprises tending to enhance the general 
welfare and material progress of his county and state. In politics he 
accords an uncompromising allegiance to the Republican party, and 
served in the office of justice of the peace of his township for twelve 
years, showing marked discrimination and good judgment in the discharge 
of his official duties, while his advice is often sought by his 
neighbors, who have confidence in his ability and integrity. 
Fraternally, he is identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen 
at Twin Brooks. Mr. Raymond is a man of broad information and is a 
vigorous and able writer upon subjects of various orders, being a 
frequent contributor to leading newspapers, while he gives particular 
attention to the consideration of topics of interest to farmers and 
stock growers. He is one of the associate editors of the Northwestern 
Agriculturist, published in the city of Minneapolis, contributing to 
its various departments, and having charge of the department devoted to 
sheep breeding.  

	On the 11th of November, 1880, Mr. Raymond was united in marriage 
to Miss Mina B. Stymiest, who was born in the province of New 
Brunswick, Canada. Of the nine children of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond we 
incorporate the following brief record in conclusion of this sketch: 
Jessie M., who was a successful and popular teacher in the schools of 
Grant county for several years, is now the wife of S. W. Burdine, a 
prosperous farmer of Assiniboine; and the other children all remain at 
the parental home, their names, in order of birth, being as follows: 
Frances M., Charlotte A., Ernest A., Ethel I., Phoebe E., Gladys B., 
Benjamin G. and Layton L. The family is one of prominence in the 
community and the pleasant home is a center of gracious hospitality.