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Col. Henry Raymond (1802 -1889)
Historical Biographies.

1883: Bio. -- Added June, 2005.

(Long paragraphs of original document have been edited for easier viewing.)

History of the Lake Huron Shore, 1883, H.R. Page, Chicago, IL
Bay County

COL. HENRY RAYMOND.

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COL. HENRY RAYMOND was one of the early lumber manufacturers, and for many years a prominent citizen of Bay City. He was born at Woodstock, Vt., in 1802.

After spending two or three years in the vicinity of Detroit, he came to Bay City in 1849, and the following year associated himself with Mr. James Watson, and they built the saw mill afterwards owned and operated by James Shearer.

He was connected with various business interests and was the first representative of Bay County in the Legislature.

During the war he was one of the provost-marshal’s staff, and for several years was collector of internal revenue.

In 1870 his health had so far failed that he was obliged to seek a different climate, and since that time he has been a resident of California.

Col. Raymond was married August, 1827, to Miss Mary Alvord, of Massachusetts. Six children were born to them, four of whom are still living — Mrs. Benjamin Whipple, Mrs. Frank Crandall and Mrs. H. C. Moore of Detroit, and Col. Henry S. Raymond, of Bay City.

The latter has been a resident of Bay City since 1851. In 1862 he went into the army with Company F, Twenty-Third Infantry, and served with distinction until the close of the war. He enlisted with the rank of captain, and by promotion reached the rank of lieutenant-colonel. He held the office of postmaster from 1861 to 1870. Since 1862 he has been in the news and stationery business. His store is now at 810 Water street. He has a wife and two children.

1889 Death bio. (Added Feb., 2009)

Historical Collections, Michigan Historical Society,

Col. Henry Raymond.
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Col. Henry Raymond, who was identified with much of the early history of Michigan, died at the residence of his son-in-law, Henry C. Moore, in Detroit, April 13, 1889. He was born in Woodstock, Vt., August 29, 1804, of Puritanic descent, who trace their connections back as far as John of Beverly, 1654. He was married in Utica, N. Y., to Mary Alvord, a native of Greenfield, Mass. They came to Michigan in 1829 residing in Detroit and vicinity over twenty years. The had six children. His wife and three children survive him.

In 1850 Col. Raymond came to Lower Saginaw, now Bay City, and engaged in the manufacture of lumber, erecting a mill at the foot of Water street. His family followed him in May, 1851. He soon became indentified with the growth and prosperity of the Saginaw valley.

Col. Raymond had implicit faith in the future of his adopted city, and embarked in numerous enterprises indicative of that faith. He was a man to secure the confidence of those with whom he came in contact, and this was manifest in the public trusts imposed upon him. He was Bay county's first representative in the State legislature, and in lookin after her interests made a record that is worthy the emulation of more modern statesmen. During the war he was one of the provost marshall's staff, and for several years he was collector of interenal revenue. It was in 1870 that disease forced Colonel Raymond to abandon the active life to which he was so naturally inclined and much of the time since he had spent in California with a hope of restoriing his health or at least prolonging his years.

Thos who recall Colonel Raymond in the prime of life will remember a magnificent specimen of manhood. He was about six feet three inches in height, finely proportioned, straight as an arrow, active, strong and full of life.