Raymond, Sarah E
educator, philanthropist, was born Oct. 20, 1842, in Big Grove, Ill. She was educated at the public high school and academy; by private tutors in various branches; and in 1866 graduated from three years' course in the Illinois State Normal university.
She has become one of the most distinguished educators in Illinois. In 1866-68 she was an instructor at the Fowler institute of Newark, Ill.; then for six years in the schools of Bloomington, Ill.; and in 1874 was elected secretary of the school board and superintendent of all the Bloomington city schools, which position. she held for eighteen years, resigning in August, 1892. She was the first woman. in the United States elected to the position of superintendent of city schools. She was president of the Central Illinois Teachers' association; president of the Women's State Teachers' association; president of the Bloomington Public library for ten years, and one of its directors for nineteen years; and for several years she was president of the Woman's Educational association of the Illinois Wesleyan university. Since 1892 she has resided in Boston, engaged in literary work.