Benjamin Wright Raymond facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Benjamin Wright Raymond
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| 3rd and 6th Mayor of Chicago | |
| In office 1842–1843 |
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| Preceded by | Francis Cornwall Sherman |
| Succeeded by | Augustus Garrett |
| In office 1839–1840 |
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| Preceded by | Buckner Stith Morris |
| Succeeded by | Alexander Loyd |
| Chicago Alderman from the 3rd Ward | |
| In office 1847–1848 Serving with J. Brinkerhoff
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| Preceded by | James Curtiss/ Michael Kehoe |
| Succeeded by | William Jones |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 15, 1801 Rome, New York |
| Died | April 6, 1883 (aged 81) Chicago, Illinois |
| Resting place | Graceland Cemetery |
| Political party | Whig |
| Spouse | Amelia Porter |
| Children | George Lansing Raymond |
| Residences | Chicago, Illinois |
| Signature | .png){kind=small} |
Benjamin Wright Raymond (born June 15, 1801, died April 6, 1883) was an important American politician. He was the mayor of Chicago, Illinois, not once, but twice! He served as mayor from 1839 to 1840 and again from 1842 to 1843. He belonged to a political group called the Whig Party.
Contents
Who Was Benjamin Raymond?
Early Life and Education
Benjamin Wright Raymond was born in Rome, New York. His middle name, Wright, came from his mother's family. He went to school at St. Lawrence Academy in Potsdam, New York. He also studied in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
After his schooling, he worked as a merchant in East Bloomfield, New York. In 1835, he married Amelia Porter. In 1836, he moved to Chicago to start a new career in real estate. His friend, Simon Newton Dexter, helped him with money to get started.
Becoming Mayor of Chicago
Benjamin Raymond was elected mayor of Chicago two times. In 1839, he became the city's third mayor. He won against James Curtiss in the election.
He tried to be re-elected in 1840 but lost to Alexander Loyd. However, in 1842, he ran again and won! He became Chicago's sixth mayor, beating the person who was mayor at the time, Francis Cornwall Sherman. Back then, a mayor's term lasted only one year.
What He Did as Mayor
During his time as mayor, Benjamin Raymond made some important decisions for Chicago. He made sure that State Street would be a very wide road. This was important for the city's growth.
He also helped Chicago get the land where Fort Dearborn used to be. The United States government sold this land, and Raymond made sure the city bought it. This land was very important for Chicago's future.
After his time as mayor, Raymond continued to serve the city. From 1847 to 1848, he was an alderman for the 3rd Ward on the Chicago Common Council. An alderman is like a city council member who helps make local laws.
Benjamin Raymond's Business Ventures
Building a Watch Company
Benjamin Raymond was also a successful businessman. In 1843, after his second term as mayor, he and Simon Newton Dexter built the first factory in Illinois that made woolen cloth. This factory was in Elgin, Illinois.
He also led the Fox River Railroad as its president. This railroad connected Elgin to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. In the 1850s, he helped create Lake Forest University and develop the city of Lake Forest, Illinois.
The Elgin Watch Company
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In 1864, a man named J.C. Adams from the Waltham Watch Company asked Raymond for help. Adams wanted to start a new watch company in the Midwest. Raymond agreed to invest his money to make this happen.
They chose Elgin, Illinois, as the location for the new company. The city of Elgin even gave them a large piece of land for the factory. The building was finished in 1866, and it became the home of the famous Elgin Watch Company. The very first watch model made by the company was named the B.W. Raymond, in his honor.
Benjamin Wright Raymond is buried in Graceland Cemetery in Chicago.
