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"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.