Transcribed from A Standard History of Kansas and Kansans, written and compiled by William E. Connelley, Chicago : Lewis, 1918. 5 v. (lvi, 2731 p., [228] leaves of plates) : ill., maps (some fold.), ports. ; 27 cm.

William L. Raynolds

WILLAM L. RAYNOLDS, younger son of Lewis D. Raynolds, is one of the prominent members of the Mankato bar and a man widely and favorably known in important business matters of the city. His career has been one in which he has been identified with various lines of endeavor, and in each direction he has achieved success, his talents being of an extremely versatile character. Mr. Raynolds was born at Indianola, Iowa, January 31, 1873, and his early education was acquired at Mankato in the public schools, being graduated from the high school here. From Mankato he went to Shenandoah, Iowa, where he also received public school instruction, and on his return to Mankato was for two years identified with mercantile affairs. Feeling the need of further preparation, he entered the Western Normal College at Lincoln, Nebraska, from the business department of which institution he was graduated in 1892, in which year he went to Stockton, Kansas, where for one year he was associated in a drug business with his brother, Dr. Elmer L. Raynolds. In the fall of 1893 Mr. Raynolds went to Chicago, and there had experience in newspaper work associated with his father on the Chicago Express and the Chicago Sentinel, remaining in that city until 1903. In the meantime, in 1899, he entered the Illinois College of Law, and was graduated with his degree of Bachelor of Laws in 1902, and was admitted to the bar in the spring of 1903.

In 1902 Mr. Raynolds began the practice of law in the office of Scroggs & Otto, attorneys in the Marquette Building, Chicago, but in May, 1903, after his admission to the bar, returned to Mankato, where he has since had a general civil and criminal practice which has steadily gained in importance and volume. For a time he devoted himself entirely and unreservedly to the practice of his calling, but as he gradually became more and more interested in the real estate and loan business he gave it more of his time and this is now his principal business here, although he is still accounted one of the leading members of the Mankato legal fraternity. His offices are on Commercial Street, while his home is in the suburbs of Mankato, on South Street, in addition to which he owns extensive farming interests in Jewell County, and also in Nebraska and Colorado. In political affairs Mr. Raynolds is an independent democrat. He is an active member of the Christian Church and is at present serving as treasurer thereof.

Mr. Raynolds was married November 12, 1896, at Cozad, Nebraska, to Miss Nora Dillon, daughter of George D. and Lucy (Hoyer) Dillon, the former of whom, a farmer, is now deceased, while the latter survives and makes her home with Mr. and Mrs. Raynolds. Mr. and Mrs. Raynolds have three children: Ruth, born November 17, 1899, a graduate, 1917, of the Mankato High School; LeRoy, born April 13, 1905, who is attending the public school as a student in the eighth grade; and Robert, who was born October 20, 1909.

A Standard History of Kansas and Kansans, written & compiled by William E. Connelley, 1918, transcribed by Brent, student from USD 508, Baxter Springs Middle School, Baxter Springs, Kansas, December 1, 1999