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Laverne H. Raymond, representative in the Pennsylvania State Leaislature from the Third District of Erie County,
is a prominent and influebtial citizen of the county. He was born in Venango Township Erie County, Dec. 29, 1867,
the son of Elbridge and Mary (Yost) Raymond. His parents removed with him when he was about three months of age
to Greenfield Township, where he has continuously resided since.
A native of New York, Elbridge Raymond was born Aug. 19, 1807, coming from New England ancestry, the Raymond family
having removed from Rhode Island to Albany County, N. Y., in colonial days, where Mr. Raymond was born. When 17
years of age Elbridge Raymond came to Allegany County, N. Y., and for 20 years engaged in milling and assisted
in building the Genesee canal. While there he met Almira Benedict of Norwich, N. Y., and married her. After the
birth of three children in 1844 they removed to Erie County, where two other children were born, and in 1853 the
mother died. Of this union only one daughter, Alice M., is living. Two sons served in the Civil War, Edwin, dying
in service at Jefferson City, Mo., and Charles, dying at home in 1871, after serving the entire term of war. Elbridge
Raymond served as postmaster of Greenfield from 1875 until 1885 and died there Feb. 4, 1890. After coming to Erie
County he engaged in milling for a number of years, first operating a grist mill at Wattsburg, and later in Greenfield
Township. He married Mary Yost Ensign in 1860. She was born in Venango Township, Erie County, Dec. 14, 1825, and
died Dec. 19, 1915. To this union was born George E., born in 1861, died Oct. 9, 1878; and Laverne H., the subject
of this sketch. He attended the township public school until 17 years of age when he entered Clark's Business College,
Erie, and in 1887 he entered Edinboro State Normal School for one term only, He then taught school for several
years in Greenfield and Venango Townships, and in October, 1890, entered upon a business career at Greenfield with
the limited capital of $450. He opened a general store, a venture in which other men had previously failed. Succeeding
from the first he gradually increased both his stock and his operations until it became the largest country store
in the United States owned by an individual, Mr. Raymond sold his business in 1919 to C. F. Sweet of Greenfield.
He owns a modern dairy farm of 180 acres in Greenfield Township and his home is among the most beautiful in Erie
County. Mr. Raymond is a director in the Standard Insurance Company of Pittsburgh, the Union Trust Corn pany of
Erie, and a stockholder in the First National Bank of North East.
Mr. Raymond is a Republican and in 1922 was elected a member of the Pennsylvania State Legislature from the Third
District of Erie County, and reelected in 1924 without an opposing vote. As this district was formed in 1920 he
has been the first man to represent it. He has served as justice of the peace of Greenfield for six years, as township
treasurer for two terms and as auditor one term.
On Oct. 1, 1890, Mr. Raymond was married to Miss Bertha A. Lewis, who was born at Mina, N. Y., March 13, 1869,
the daughter of Elisha G. and Mary J. (Ridell) Lewis. She died at Cannes, France, Dec. 6, 1923, and is buried at
Lowville, Pa. To Mr. and Mrs. Raymond two children were born: Agnes M., born Oct. 1, 1891, married Dec. 31, 1924,
to Lyle E. Markham, who is connected with the Winters Piano Company of Erie; and Harold L., born Sept. 28, 1896,
is a World War veteran. He is an accomplished musician, has studied at Essen, Germany; Paris, France, and is at
present studying at Lyons, France.
Mr. Raymond was married Dec. 29, 1924, to Frances Barney Voik, a native of Erie County, and at the time a teacher
in the Wesleyvilie public schools.
Mr. Raymond is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Greenfleld and is a 32nd degree Mason.
From:
History of Erie County, Pennsylvania
By: John Elmer Reed
Historical Publishing Company
Topeka-Indianapolis
1925
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