The subject of this sketch, is one of the best known citizens of Oneco Township. He was born in Canada West on the 10th of May, 1834. His father was Stephen Raymond, a native of North Carolina, who at the age of twenty emigrated to Canada West and settled near the River Thames. In North Carolina the grandfather of the subject of this sketch worked at the pottery trade.

The father was a sailor and also worked at the pottery trade. He also engaged in farming in Canada West, but just after the revolt in that country his property was burned, leaving him destitute. With one yoke of oxen and leading one cow, he started for the West in 1836, when the subject of this sketch was but two years of age. He located near Rockford, but on account of malaria, which prevailed in those days, only remained there a part of one season, when he moved to what was known as the Campbell neighborhood, where he lived one year. He then took a claim in Walnut Grove of 160 acres and erected thereon a log cabin. While engaged in building and pottery-making, his wife died. After securing homes for his children he abandoned pottery-making for a time and engaged in mining and well-digging, but subsequently operated a pottery north of Monroe. Having sold his farm in Walnut Grove he bought one at Monroe and then married again, to Mrs. Elizabeth Worley, a widowed daughter of Mr. Bowman, of Kentucky. He remained there until 1851, at which time the gold fever broke out in California, when he left his family and with one of his step-sons went to that State, where he engaged for a time in milling, but that business not agreeing with him he concluded to seek his fortune by digging for gold. While mining he realized a profit of $7 per day out of his claim but had to abandon it on account of ill-health. When he returned home he sold his place and went to Grant County, Wis., where he spent the last days of his life, dying at the age of seventy-two. The mother of the subject of this sketch was Fanny Smith, daughter of the Smith family of Pennsylvania. She was born in 1804, and died in 1840. As far as known her people were farmers.

William M. Raymond was married on the 4th of July, 1861, to Miss H. Jane Van Matre, daughter of William Van Matre, whose father was Joseph Van Matre, and whose family was the oldest in the county. The wife was born Feb. 10, 1841. They have five children living: Olive, Mrs. M. M. Fenner of Freeport; Farmer B., married and lives on first farm west; Emma, Willie B., and Remember Jane, two years old, whom the wife calls Minnie, between whose age and the next oldest there is a lapse of twelve years. They are blessed with grandchildren, eight years of age. Mr. Raymond has served eleven years as School Director and has filled other local offices. He and the older children belong to the Christian Church, in which organization he has long been a Deacon. He is active in church work, and esteemed in both town and county by those who know him best.

The father of Mr. Raymond indentured him to a farmer at the age of ten years, with whom he staid until the man died; he then leased the farm, consisting of 212 acres, which he managed until it was sold. In the meantime, he had secured a small farm which he sold and applied the proceeds of the sale to the purchase of the farm on which he was raised. The deferred payments in the purchase of this farm were two years apart, but Mr. Raymond always met the payments before they became due. He should have shared with the heirs of the man by whom he was adopted, but did not, receiving only $70 in money for ten years' service, $40 of which was cash, and a colt, which rightfully belonged to him, was computed as $30. The old house in which he was reared is still standing, and will be transformed into a feed and grinding room.

Contributed by Carol Parrish from Portrait and Biographical Album of Stephenson County, Ill. (1888), p. 577