John Raymer

[From Find-a-grave.com:]

HON. JOHN RAYMER. In 1890, John Raymer came to Reardan and engaged in partnership with O.A. Menger in the hardware business, theirs being the first hardware store in the town. Four years later he purchased the interest of his partner, since which time he has been in business alone. In 1901 he built his present large brick store building, also three warehouses, and the following year added a line of furniture to his hardware business, his being the only furniture store in Reardan. He is a stockholder, director and vice-president of the Exchange Bank of Reardan, and is one of the wealthiest men of the town, a fact of which he might well be proud, coming as he did to the county almost without a dollar. Born in Calhoun county, Michigan, June 15, 1856, he was the son of Peter and Mercy (Bates) Raymer, both natives of New York. They came to Michigan in an early day when the Indians were so numerous that the tilling of the land was a most hazardous occupation. Mr. Raymer has a brother and a sister still in Michigan, Charles Raymer and Mrs. Estella Telfer. At the age of fifteen he left home to try his fortunes in the lumbering districts of Michigan. He worked here for one company seven years, the last four years in the capacity of foreman. In 1884 he came to Seattle, thence to Vancouver Island, and from there to Spokane. In December, 1885, he came to Davenport, and engaged in breaking raw sod. Later he engaged in lumbering north of Davenport, and in the fall of 1888 he bought a half interest in a saw-mill which he removed to Mondovi. He sold this business in 1890 when he engaged in his present occupation. In the fall of 1900 he was elected to the House of Representatives from his county, holding the office one term, and ever since the town of Reardan was incorporated he has served on the city council. He has ever been a liberal subscriber to all enterprises and a generous supporter of everything having a tendency to develop his town, and country. He is an active member of the I.O.O.F., of which he is a past grand. May 4, 1892, John Raymer was married to Hattie Latham, a native of Canada, and three children, Norman, John C., and Nelson, are the issue of this marriage. [Transcribed from “An Illustrated History of The Big Bend Country, embracing Lincoln, Douglas, Adams and Franklin counties, State of Washington”, published by Western Historical Publishing Co., 1904.]

He later became an officer in the Chamokane Lumber Company

Biography 2

"Spokane and The Spokane Country - Pictorial and Biographical - Deluxe Supplement." Vol. II. The S.J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1912. (No author listed.) pgs. 134-136.

JOHN RAYMER, banker and merchant, has contributed in substantial measure to the business development and growth of Reardan and at the same time has been an active factor in political circles, honored with election to the office of representative, while in his home community he has been continuously in office since the organization of the town. He was born in Calhoun county, Michigan, June 15, 1856, and is a son of Peter and Mary (Bates) Raymer, both of whom were natives of New York, whence they removed to Michigan where the father followed the occupation of farming.

John Raymer spent his early youth in his parents' home, attending the public schools of Calhoun county, Michigan, but at the age of fifteen left home and sought employment in the lumber camps of the northern part of the state. That he was industrious and faithful is indicated by the fact that he worked for one company for seven years and four years he served as foreman. In 1884 he came to the west with Seattle as his destination and after remaining there for a short time made his way to Vancouver Island. He next went to Spokane and in December, 1885, removed to Davenport, where he engaged in farming for a year or two. On the expiration of that period he turned his attention to the lumber business which he followed north of Davenport, and in 1888 he purchased a half interest in a sawmill which he afterward removed to north of Mondovi. In 1890 he sold that business and came to Reardan, where in partnership with 0. A. Menger he opened the first hardware store in the town. The enterprise prospered and after four years Mr. Raymer purchased his partner's interest, conducting the business alone. In 1901 he erected the present large brick building which he now occupies and he has also built three warehouses and extended the scope of his commercial activities by adding to his store a line of furniture. His establishment is one of the best equipped and the largest in the county and in addition to its conduct Mr. Raymer figures prominently in financial circles as a stockholder and director of the Reardan Exchange Bank while in 1911, following the death of Mr. Moriarty, he was elected president of that institution. In 1906 John Raymer with several other gentlemen organized the Chamokane Lumber Company, of which he serves as president. This company owns sixteen thousand acres of land in Stevens county and a sawmill in Lincoln county. His business interests are thus of a character that contribute largely to general progress and prosperity as well as to individual success.

On the 4th of May, 1892, occurred the marriage of Mr. Raymer and Miss Hattie Latham, a native of Canada, and they have four children, Norman, John C., Nelson and Elizabeth. The parents are widely and favorably known in Lincoln county and Mr. Raymer is regarded as a valued member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in which he takes an active part. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party and in 1900 he was elected on its ticket to represent Lincoln county in the house of representatives where he served for one term. That he has the confidence and good-will of his fellow townsmen is indicated by the fact that he has continuously served in the city council since the organization of the town. He has been a liberal subscriber to all enterprises and a generous supporter of all public movements of his town and county and has thus maintained an even balance in his life with his well directed business affairs which have made him one of the most successful men in Lincoln county.

Submitted by: Nancy Pratt Melton

Notice: These biographies were transcribed for the Washington Biographies Project. Unless otherwise stated, no further information is available on the individuals featured in the biographies.