Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 927 - 928

HENRY H. RAYMOND became a resident of Grant Township in the spring of 1873, and rendered material assistance in the development of one of the best counties in the State of Kansas. He may still be called a young man, and has, without question, made for himself an enviable record in this community. A native of Illinois, he was born in Jersey County, Feb. 21, 1848, and early in life became familiar with agricultural pursuits. He drew his education from the district schools in his boyhood, and in young manhood learned the blacksmith's trade. When he had attained his twenty-fourth year he made his way to Southern Kansas, and took up a homestead of 160 acres on section 28, where he now lives.

             The parents of our subject, Charles and Harriet A. (Nickerson) Raymond, natives of Connecticut, after their marriage had moved westward, and settled in Jersey County, Ill., at an early day in the history of that portion of the Prairie State. Charles Raymond took up a good farm in the grassy wilderness of that locality, which he improved, and of which he made a good farm, and remained upon it until his death, which occurred March 12, 1871. His faithful and estimable wife is still living, and makes her home with her son Henry, being now seventy-six years of age. The paternal grandparents of Mr. Raymond, Seth and Eunice (Diamond) Raymond, were also natives of the Nutmeg State, as were Nathan Nickerson and his excellent wife, the parents of Mrs. Raymond. The father of Nathan Nickerson was a soldier in the Continental army in the Revolutionary War. 

            After having selected his location in this county, our subject moved to Dodge City, where he was engaged for about two years in blacksmithing and buffalo hunting, and it is estimated that he has slain about 1,500 of these huge animals, which once roamed in unrestrained freedom over the Western plains. The excitement, danger, sport and occasional hardships incident to his camp life on the plains, were often varied by a visit from the "noble red man," and his unamiable spouse. On such occasions, he, like everybody else, was invariably met with an extended hand, and a "How," and the accompanying request for "heap of big sup." They were never turned away from his camp hungry, and it is said that should the same Indians come across a dozen hunters' camps in a day, they would eat as many hearty meals. Mr. Raymond paid a visit to a village inhabited by Cheyenne and Arapahoe Indians, and witnessed the squaws engaged in tanning robes, laying in winter supplies of provisions and fuel, while the lazy husbands lay around in groups, and the young bucks, under the guidance of some aged grandsire, practiced with the bow and arrow.

             Returning to his farm in Grant Township, Mr. Raymond commenced the improvement of his land, and erecting a house, made arrangements to establish a home. One of the most important steps in this direction was his marriage with Miss Sarah R. Armstrong, which was celebrated at the home of William McCracken, in Grant Township, Oct. 29, 1874. The lady of his choice was born in Butler County, Pa., Feb. 25, 1846, and was the seventh of twelve children, who made up the family of James and Jane (Stewart) Armstrong, who were also natives of the Keystone State. The young couple commenced life together on the farm where they now reside, and which has been brought by our subject to a most excellent state of cultivation.

             The subject of our sketch has spent considerable time and money in building up his beautiful homestead, a view of which we give, and besides a good orchard of thrifty trees, he has set out a number of maples, cottonwoods, catalpas, and others, which add materially to the beauty and enhance the value of his place. The farm is well stocked with good grades of cattle, and Poland-China hogs, and his stables contain some very fine specimens of farm horses. He has availed himself of all modern machinery, and the latest methods of carrying on agriculture and stock-raising, and takes a commendable pride in the result of his labor.

            With a hearty contempt for the office-seeker, Mr. Raymond is yet active in politics, and uniformly casts his vote in support of Republican principles. He is not identified with any religious organization, but his estimable wife is a member of the United Presbyterian Church, at Sunnydale. Their five children, all of whom are living and at home, are named respectively: Walter E., James Braden, Herbert J., Harry L. and Jessie Mabel. They form a bright and intelligent group, and are pursuing their studies in the district school. When our subject first settled in Grant Township there was but one house upon the site of the now flourishing little village of Valley Center, and Mrs. Raymond taught the second term of the school, which was established in their district. The lady had followed the profession of teaching for some years previously, in the States of Ohio, Illinois, Missouri and Kansas.

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