The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1907-02-28
OLDEST CITIZEN
IS NINETY EIGHT
clarksbure's Grand Old Man ceis
brates' Another Birthday Ami
=" 'versary Mt Home.

Col. Luther Raymond. Clarks.
burg's Oldest citizen, celebrated Sat
urday the ninety-eighth anniversary
OF his birth day. The celebration
was in a quiet way at his pieasan,
home on West Pike street, WHERE
throughout the day he received nu.
merous friends. |
Many happy "reminiscences were
INDUCED in by the venerable host
and his visitors and the guests were
unastentationsly wined and dined, all
wishing him many more happy re-
turns of the day.
Col. Raymond retains his mental
faculties and his physical condition
is most remarkable for one of such
an advanced age. Indeed there has
been but little change in his physical
condition the past twenty years
though as matter of precaution
he does not indulge himself in ex-
hausting exercise. He promises to
not only reach the one hundredth
year of his age, but to pass 1t several
years.
A remarkable feature of the cele-
bration is the exhibition of a heart
shaped sweet cake presented to him
Christmas eve in 1929. over ~
years ago, by Phoebe Robinson. at a
ball at the Bartlett hotel here with
the written request that he keep II
forever. 1t is in fine state OF
preservation, as is also the paper ac-
companying 1t and Miss Robinson s
written words are quite legible.
In connection with the event 1t is
appropriate that a brief sketch OF
Col. Haymond's life be given.
He comes of Revolutionary stock,
for his grandfather. William Hay,
mond. who was born in Maryland
in 1740, served as captain and
major in that great struggle, having
command of troops raised in
Monongahela county, West Virginia
wars that came up in Pennsylvania
whittier he came in 1873. He also
commanded what is known as Pick.
ett's Fort. south of Morgantown, and
after the war was over held the Of
fee of county sheriff. In 1884
when Harrison county was formed
he was appointed surveyor Of the
county, and continued to hold Of
fee up to the day of his death, which
occurred in 1891. He was true
American. was deeply interested In
the welfare of his country, and was
participant in the various Indian
and Virginia, and was with General
Forbes in 1873, at the taking OF Fort
Pitt, now Pittsburg. Although he
lived on farm the greater part Of
his life, he gave little attention to
its cultivation, his active nature de,
handing other fields in which to ex.
pend his energy. He was first mar,
ried to Miss Clelland, of Maryland
who died in 1888, having become
the mother of four sons and several
daughters, the names OF the former
being John, William, Thomas and
Daniel; the two eldest being born in
Maryland and the two youngest in
what is now West Virginia, and ali
became heads of families. John
became a member of the Virginia
legislature, as a member OF the
House. and then the Senate, and
Daniel was a member of the West
Virginia Senate three or four years
After the death of his first wife
William Raymond married a second
time, Miss Pettijohn becoming hi.
second wife and eventually the
mother of one son and two daugh
tiers, the former, Cyrus, becoming {
soldier and officer in the War O
1912.
John Raymond, the father o
William. came to this country from
England, and until his death mad
his home In Maryland, where h,
raised family. Thomas Raymond
son of William and father Of Col
Luther Raymond, was born II
Monongalia county, this state, Jan
16. 1916. and in his youth receive,
such education as the schools of hi
day afforded. He succeeded hi
father as surveyor of Harrison coun
ty In 1921, ana by various appoint
ments and elections. held the offic
up to the day of his death. which oc
CURED in 1859. He had been
scout, whe ma young man. during tn
Indian troubles In this section. AM
like. his worthy sire before him. wa
active In promoting MI enterr-,se
for the good Of HIS secticn-i and =
an early day was r,e,o- u -fiistRi
Although he aiwsvs MOD IN farm