1873-Miles Berry Raymer was born on Nov. 30, 1871 in Ellsinore, Carter County, Missouri. He had an uncle who was also named Miles Berry Raymer (brother of his father Isaac) and they were getting their mail mixed up, so our Miles Berry started using just the first letter of his middle name Berry or "B" as a first name.

1879-Nettie Belle Rodgers was born on Jan. 7, 1879 in Texas County, Missouri

1895-We think at the age of 24, "B" Raymer went to Southeast Missouri Normal School (as it was called then) at Cape Girardeau, Missouri to take classes to get his teachers certificate.

Note: I have two of "B"'s teacher certificates dated 1896 and 1897 that were given to me by Alvis, and Kathy (Raymer) Browne has one dated June 29, 1900. Please let me know if you have a teacher certificate or any poof of his teaching and when and where. I would like to get a copy of the certificate.) I sent a request to search for records at Cape Girardeau but I haven't received word if they found any.

1896-97-"B" Raymer was a substitute teacher in Ellsinore.

1903-"B" and Nettie were married in Carter County, Missouri on Oct. 7, 1903. "B" was 31 and Nettie was 24.

1903-"B" and Nettie's first child, Leo Jessie Raymer, was born on July 5, 1903 in Ellsinore, Carter County, Missouri.

1904-"B" and Nettie's second child, Florence Raymer, was born in December, 1904 in Ellsinore, Carter County, Missouri. Does anyone know the day?

1905-"B" and Nettie's third child, Alvis Leland Raymer, was born on Dec. 19, 1905 in Ellsinore, Carter County, Missouri.

1909-Myrtle Bell Webb was born on May 28, 1909 in Hunter, Carter County, Missouri. Later to be the wife of Alvis.

1910-"B" and Nettie's fourth child, Luin Lindel Raymer, was born on Feb. 17, 1910 in Ellsinore, Cater County, Missouri.

1912-"B" and Nettie's second child, Florence Raymer, died on Jan. 14, 1912 in Ellsinore, MO at the age of 8. She is buried in the Raymer Family cemetery, Ellsinore, Carter County, Missouri.

1912-"B" and Nettie's fifth child, Ina Raymer, was born and died at the age of 3 month. Buried in the Raymer Family Cemetery, Ellsinore, Carter County, Missouri.

1914-"B" and Nettie's sixth child, Grover Anson Raymer, was born on May 3, 1914 in Ellsinore, Carter County, Missouri.

1917-"B" and Nettie's seventh child, Violet Opal Raymer was born on Dec. 16, 1917 in Ellsinore, Carter County, Missouri.

1920-"B" and Nettie's eighth child. Derrell Ray Raymer was born on Feb. 14, 1922 in Ellsinore, Carter County, Missouri.

What was "B"s occupation during the above years and where did he live? Did "B" work for the lumber company? Did they live in town or on a farm? Imogene found records of them purchasing the old Raymer homestead property from 1921 to 1925.

1925-29-Myrtle Webb's family ran a restaurant and store in Hunter, Missouri. Myrtle waited tables in the restaurant and this may have been where Alvis and Myrtle met for the first time.

1920-25-"B" owned a store in Ellsinore In 1921 "B" and Nettie bought the old Raymer homestead, where the Raymer cemetery is located, and sold it in 1924. The store burned in 1924 or 1925. Violet said she remembered the store burning and was a young girl. I suspect the family sold the property and moved either to Mt. Vernon or to East St. Louis right after the fire.

1925-The Raymer family moved to East St. Louis Illinois. Alvis was dating Myrtle at this point and would drive from East St. Louis, IL to Hunter, MO to visit her.

1926-Alvis and Myrtle were married on Oct. 31, 1926 in Van Buren, Carter County, Missouri when Myrtle was 18 and Alvis was 22.

I talked to Margaret Roam in Ellsinore and she remembers two barbers in Ellsinore but neither one was "B". I suspect he may not have barbered until he went to E. St. Louis. Does anyone know?

1927-"B" and Nettie lived at 818 Trendley, East St. Louis, Illinois in 1927 or early 1928. Violet said "B" went to Barber School but she didn't know where. There was a 3 chair barber shop in the front of the house. Al & Myrtle, Leo & Anne and "B" all lived in back. On Saturday, "B", Alvis and Leo all barbered until 10 or 11 PM. After which time "B" always bought fish sandwiches and Coney Islands as their treat for having such a late supper. Anne & Myrtle worked at the Switzers Candy Co. in St. Louis, MO and Violet said Nettie also worked there at the same time.

Not all the Raymer's moved to E. St. Louis. Which one's did and what did the other children do? I always thought Leo stayed on the farm, but he apparently barbered in E. St. Louis with Alvis and "B" for a while.

1928-Nettie was hurt when she fell by tripping over a movie advertisement in downtown East St. Louis, IL. She insisted she be taken to her old family doctor, Dr. Sheets, in Ellsinore, MO where she died on July 20, 1928 at the age of 49. Buried in the Raymer Family Cemetery, Ellsinore, Carter County, Missouri.

1928- Alvis and Myrtle (Webb) Raymer moved just before their first child, Virginia May, was born to 427 Trendley in East St. Louis, IL. Virginia May Raymer was born on Sept. 9, 1928 in East St. Louis, St. Clair County, Illinois.

1929-Alvis and Myrtle moved from East St. Louis, IL to 2705 N. 20th Street, St. Louis, MO when Virginia May was 1 year old. Alvis opened a barber shop on Oct. 24, 1929 at 2704 N. 20th Street, St. Louis, MO.

1934-Myrtle said when Virginia May was sick she had to carry her to the barber shop to get Alvis to take them to the hospital. Virginia May Raymer died on March 13, 1934, St. Louis, MO at the age of 5. She is buried in the Whites Mill Cemetery, Carter County, Missouri.

1935-Myrtle and Alvis had their second child, Kenneth Leland Raymer, born March 9, 1935 in St. Louis, MO. By this time, the barber shop had been moved from 2704 N. 20th St. across the street to the front room of their house at 2705 N. 20th street.

1949-"B" Raymer died on October 30, 1949 in East St. Louis, Illinois at the age of 75. He was buried in the Raymer Cemetery near Ellsinore, Missouri next to his wife Nettie.

1972-"B" and Nettie's sixth child, Grover Anson Raymer, died on July 23, 1972 at the age of 58. He is buried in the Raymer Family Cemetery, Ellsinore, Carter County, Missouri.

1976-"B" and Nettie's first child, Leo Jessie Raymer, died on Oct. 4, 1976 in Ripley Co., MO at the age of 73. Buried in the Whites Mill Cemetery, Ellsinore, Carter County, Missouri.

1977-"B" and Nettie's fourth child, Luin Lindel Raymer, died on March 18, 1977 at Caseyville, IL at the age of 67.

1991-"B" and Nettie's third child, Alvis Leland Raymer died on Oct. 29, 1991 in Deltona, FL at the age of 85. Buried in the Whites Mill Cemetery, Carter County, Missouri next to his daughter Virginia May Raymer.

1998-Myrtle Bell (Webb) Raymer died on Dec. 5, 1998 at the age of 89. She is buried in the Whites Mill Cemetery, Carter County, Missouri next to Alvis and Virginia May Raymer.

2000-"B" and Nettie's eighth child, Derrell Ray Raymer died on Oct. 24, 2000 in Orlando, FL at the age of 78. Buried in the Mount Hope Cemetery, Bellville, Illinois.

The only surviving child is Violet Opal Raymer, born Dec. 16, 1917 and is currently age 83.

If you have any information or corrections to the above, please e-mail me at: