Raymond Township

Raymond Township

Raymond lies in the northwestern part of the county. It embraces township 125 north, range 35 west. It has an area of 23,040 acre. The surface is gently undulating, being mostly prairie with a large area of marsh land. There are a number of small lakes, prominent among which are. Sand lake, in the southeast part, and Silver Basin, in the north. The soil is a dark clay loam with a clay sub-soil, except in the southwest corner, where it is more sandy.

In 1860, Frank H. Kranz took a claim on section eighteen, and about the same time, a few unmarried men made claims in the vicinity, but lived with Kranz. In the early autumn of 1862, two of these young men, named William Lament and John Dolson, not having heard of the Indian outbreak, started west on a hunting and trapping expedition, but never returned. It is supposed they perished at the hands of the Sioux. At this time there had arrived quite a number of settlers, but all left during the Indian troubles of that year. The second venture vv^as not made until the spring of 1866, when L .H. Decker, Thomas Bolles, D. P. Marshall, C. S. Boss, and others settled in the town. Several more arrived during the season, among whom were the Lyman brothers, William Smith and sons, and Liberty B. Raymond.

The first child born was Josephine M. Marshall on September 4, 1860. The first death was that of Daniel B. Lyman, son of A. G. Lyman. His remains were interred en the farm of Henry Lyman, but later removed to the cemetery on section five.

On the night of July 9, 1869, a cyclone passed over the northern part of the town, carrying death and destruction In its course. The residence of Richard Richardson was destroyed, killing a little son three years old. Another son, twenty-two years of age, occupied a bed with Liberty B. Raymond, Jr., the former was carried about forty rods, and remained unconscious for a number of days, but finally recovered.

but the latter was killed. A number of others in the neighborhood were seriously injured. Another passed over nearly the same course, in June, 1877, destroying the residences of William Smith and Alonzo Morris. A son of Smith was carried about fifty rods. He was struck on the head by a piece of flying debris, while in mid-air, and fell in a marsh, but was not seriously injured.

The first school was taught in the summer of 1867, by Eliza Richardson in an unoccupied dwelling house belonging to P. Smith. The first religious services were held in the fall of 1866, by the Rev. Mr. Cady, a Baptist minister. A Methodist Episcopal Church organization was perfected in 1868. Also, a Seventh Day Advent Church was organized in 1873, and a small church erected on section thirty the following year.

Raymond was organized in 1867, and named in honor of Liberty B. Raymond, one of the early settlers. The first officers were; Supervisors, L. B. Raymond, chairman, C. S. Boss, and William F. Smith; clerk, V. C. Lyman; assessor, D. P. Marshall; and treasurer, L. Worthington.

A subordinate grange of the Patrons of Husbandry was organized August 2, 1873, with thirty-six members, the name chosen being "The Silver Basin." George Parsons, of Winona, master of the state grange, was present. The follov/ing ofllcers were elected: L. B. Raymond, master; O. G. Lyman, overseer; R. Richardson, lecturer; H B. Huntress, secretary; Mrs. E. Emmerson, treasurer; Mrs. Angelina Smith, chaplain; Matt. Sheiffer, steward; N. R. Harrington, assistant steward; Sarah Lyman, lady assistant steward; Judson Smith, gatekeeper; Mrs. L. B. Raymond, Pomona; Mrs. R. Richardson, Ceres; Mrs. H. B. Huntress, Flora.