- Date Of Birth: April 6, 1921
- Date Of Death: February 22, 2014
- State: Iowa
Raymond Howard Bingham was born April 6, 1921 to John S. Bingham and Sylvia A. (Edwards) Bingham. His birth took place at his parents home five miles north of Williamson, IA. He was the seventh child of thirteen, and all grew up on this same farm north of Williamson. Growing up in a large family, and a small house was different. Most times he had two others in the bed with him. He made comments about being crowded like sardines. A bath a week was common with a clean change of clothes at that time. He held onto that trait all his life, and uncomfortable if it altered. Recreation was of their own making, and told about playing catch and marbles. Summer months were spent hoeing in the fields and milking the cows. His dad also signed up to use a drag on the country roads and was paid so much a mile. He was only about eight or nine years old and told about his dad hitching up the horses to do the job. Fall brought harvesting wood and sizing (it was for the stove) in order to keep warm during the winter months. Raymond finished his 8th grade year in at Brush College School and took the test to graduate. He did not return to school, but helped his dad on the farm for the next couple years. After those years, at age 14 or 15 he went to work for his brother, bus. He received a dollar a day for his labor and bought himself a 1934 Plymouth. He left his brother Bus’s employment and went to work for contractors named Alexander and Repass. This was work with the Rock Island railroad from Purdy to Corydon and he built culverts to Des Moines then onto Muscatine. He made 30 cents an hour and felt rich. When the work was finished he returned home to marry Evelene Adams. Raymond H. Bingham and Evelene V. Adams were married December 14, 1940 in Princeton Missouri with Billy Chamberlain and Adalene Adams standing up with them. During the next few years they lived in many houses, before purchasing the Merle and Agnes Smith farm just south of his parents home in 1952. This would be their home for over fourteen years. During the years of 1941 thru 1953, Gary Lee, Leslie Howard, Raymond Howard, Mary Eloise, Darwin Loyle, Roger Laverne, and Debra Ann were born. Sadly, Leslie Howard and Raymond Howard passed as babies. In 1965, Raymond’s folks got the urge to move to town. Raymond bought his folks farm and built a new home in 1966 on it. Along came another baby, Susan Annette Bingham was born in 1966 after moving into their new home. This made their 8th child. Raymond enjoyed coon hunting with the neighbors and belonging to a club that met monthly. He also enjoyed deer hunting and involved his boys in this activity. In 1974, Raymond and Evelene sold the farm and moved to Chariton due to Raymond’s recurring illness. After a surgery, he was able to secure a job with the National Bank and Trust Company doing maintenance until his retirement in 1983. Raymond continued to enjoy his deer hunting with his sons as long as possible. Raymond and Evelene picked up walnuts for many years after their retirement.
