Biographies
For
Muscatine County Iowa
1889



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 419

THOMAS RAYNOR, a resident of Wilton, Iowa, was born in New Jersey, Nov. 26, 1836, and is a son of JOhn and Mary A. ( Ryerson ) Raynor. His father was born in the city of London, England, in 1813, and was a son of William Raynor, who emigrated to American with his family about the year 1817, settling in Newton, Sussex Co., N. J., where he continued to make his home during the remainder of his life, though his death occurred in Virginia, while on a visit to friends in the State. He was the father of two sons and a daughter, who reached maturity, but the latter, who is now Mrs. Francis Smith, is the only one now living, the two brothers having died several years ago.

John Raynor, the father of our subject, learned the trade of cabinet-making and undertaking in early life. In the State of New Jersey he was united in marriage with Miss Mary A. Ryerson, whose family were members of the Society of Friends, and in October, 1856, he emigrated to Iowa, settling on section 3, Wilton Township, Muscatine County, where he purchased a farm of 160 acres, for which he paid $6 per acre. The land was wholly unimproved, but the cultivation and labor which he bestowed upon it transformed it into a most beautiful homestead. He there continued to reside, engaged in the occupation of farming and stock-raising until called to his final rest, July 14, 1880. His wife who was born in New Jersey, in 1815, still survives her husband, and resides on the old homestead. Mr. Raynor was a man highly esteemed by all as an upright worthy citizen. In early life he was a Democrat, but when the Republican party was formed and the question of the extension of slavery became an issue, he cast his ballot with that organization, and was ever afterward one of its warm and earnest advocates. He was not a man to aspire to political distinction, preferring to attend to the quiet duties of farm life rather than to seek notoriety in any direction.

Of the eight children, born to Mr. and Mrs. Raynor,five sons and three daughters, all are yet living, namely : William, who was born March 28, 1835, is now a resident of Iowa County, Iowa ; Thomas is the second in age ; George, born July 26, 1838, is also a resident of Iowa County ; Emma E., born Dec. 24, 1840, is the wife of Jerome Levea, of Guthrie County, Iowa ; Theodore, born March 22, 1843, served as a soldier in the late war for three years in Company G, 35th Iowa Infantry, and is now a resident of Minnesota ; Wesley, born June 16, 1844, is living in Marengo, Iowa ; Sarah F., born Aug. 28, 1846, is the wife of George Hammell, of Iowa County ; and the youngest, Mrs. Harriet Ella Strong, was born May 26, 1852, and makes her home in Dakota.

Our subject came to this county with his parents in 1856, and assisted his father in the labors of the farm until 1862, when he left the parental roof and enlisted in Company B, 35th Iowa Volunteers, serving until Aug.9 1865, when he was mustered out, after having fought in defense of the old flag for three years. He was in active service during the whole term of his enlistment, nor did he spend a day in the hospital during that long period. He took part in every campaign in which his regiment participated, with the exception of the Red River expedition, during which time he served on detached duty.

After his return from the scene of conflict Mr. Raynor was united in marriage with Miss Lorana A. Brown, their union being celebrated March 8, 1866. The lady is a native of Ohio, and a daughter of Nathaniel Brown. Her brother Frederick Brown, was an early settler of Atalissa, but removed from there to Ringgold County. Mr. Raynor has made farming and stock-raising his occupation through life, and in later years has engaged to some extent to buying and shipping stock. For many years he made his home on a farm in Cedar County, after which he removed to Durant, where he resided for four years, and in March 1663, settled in Wilton. He is still the owner of the farm in Wilton County, and another in Iowa County. In his political sentiments he is a Republican. His first Presidential vote was cast for Stephen A. Douglas in 1860, but since that time he has been a supporter of the Republican party. He was a gallant soldier during the late war and is a worthy citizen, well deserving of the respect of all.


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