Mr. Raynal was born in Bordeaux, France, on the 15th day of March 1814.  In 1846 he emigrated to the United States  After failed attempts to build a business in other states, Justin Raynal arrived in Denison in January 1873.  Being pleased with Denison, he concluded to locate here and at once opened a restaurant near the corner of Main street and Austin avenue.  In the spring of 1878 plans were being made to build the building at 202 West Main Street that would exist for well over 100 years and benefit the educational system of Denison for years to come.  Mr. Joe Koehler was awarded the bid for erecting the new building.

Denison Daily News
Wednesday, May 15, 1878
pg. 4

The bids for erecting the new building of Mr. Justin Raynal were opened Tuesday and the contract awarded to Mr. Joe Koehler, his bid being the lowest.   Work will commence on the 20th of this month.  From an examination of the plan we are satisfied that the building will be a handsome one and will add greatly to the appearance of Main street.


The Denison Press
Wednesday, March 16, 1938
pg. 1

DENISON 62-50-35 YEARS AGO
By Dulce Murray

March 16, 1876 - Wednesday, the 15th, was the 62nd anniversary of the birth of our venerable friend and townsman, Justin Raynal, proprietor of the California restaurant.  Mr. Raynal made the occasion one of pleasure not only to himself, but his friends, by inviting them to partake of a sumptuous supper, the tables were loaded with a great variety of meats, vegetables, and pastry prepared with skill and richness, only possible with a French caterer.  In the center of the principal table was a large cake frosted and trimmed with wreaths of vines and flowers.  In the center, surrounded with a delicate wreath was "1814 J.R. --" the date of Mr. Raynal's birth, and his initials.  The cake was a present from Mrs. E. Dumont.
The wines were of the choicest vintage, both native and and imported and brandies from California and France.  Mr. Dumont offered the first toast "The health of our host, Justin Raynal" to which all drank, standing.  Mr. Raynal responded by offering "The memory of Washington and the Republic of France."  Then followed, toasts by Mayor Winn and others, appropriate to the occasion, all of which were drunk with zest.
Before responding Mr. Raynal, by request, sang "Washington" a patriotic and stirring poem composed by himself many years ago in California, which was greeted with hearty applause.
Mr. Raynal was born in Bordeaux, France in 1814 and came to this county the year Louis Napoleon made his notable Camp de 'tat.  He was one of the first to cast his fortunes in Denison and we may add is one of our most propersous citizens.

Mr. Raynal died August 4, 1879.  His remains were laid to rest in Oakwood Cemetery in Denison, Grayson Co., Texas. (Denison Daily News, Wednesday, August 6, 1879, pg. 4)  In November 1879 a letter was received  by Mayor Peck from Bordeaux, France, written by Mrs. Raynal stating that she had received word from a Frenchman living in Denison informing her of the death of Justin Raynal, her husband.  The reason for her letter was to inform Mayor Peck that she and Justin Raynal had never divorced and, consequently, deserved part of the property in his estate that was bequeathed to his brother and sister; however, she was willing that the building in Denison which he owned and bequeathed to the city of Denison to be retained by the city. (The Denison Daily News, November 18, 1879, pg. 4)


The Sunday Gazetteer
Sunday, April 16, 1886
pg. 7

A lady has arrived in the city from Bordeaux, France, who states that she is the widow of Justin Raynal and asks for a division of the property.  As she was separated and divorced from him at the time of death, the best posted lawyers in the city claim that she is not entitled to the property.

The City Council, upon the removal of Justin Raynal's remains to Fairview Cemetery, appointed Architect Shannon to draft plans for a monument and contracted for the building of said monument  to Gate City Marble Company.  The monument was to be constructed of Texas granite with the monument standing 20 feet and 6 inches from base to top of the pedestal.  The foundation for the monument was to be of blue limestone laid in cement. (The Sunday Gazetteer, Sunday, February 1, 1891) Twelve years after the death of Mr. Raynal, an indignant lady told a Gazetteer reporter that she disapproved of the insignificant tombstone made of wood, covered with canvas placed on his grave and would contribute to a fund to provide a more suitable tombstone.  (The Sunday Gazetteer, Sunday February 1, 1891)  Six years later an short article in the Sunday Gazetteer that for 15 years, the grave of J. Raynal had been in an unmarked grave even though several attempts had been proposed to purchase a suitable tombstone that would cost approximate $500 for such an important contributor to Denison's culture, business and education. (The Sunday Gazetteer, Sunday, April 11, 1897, pg. 3)
In 1904's issue of the Sunday Gazetteer another article was printed in which the writer complained, again, of the wooden frame work and ragged shred of dirty canvass explaining that such a man as Mr. Raynal who had done so much for the education of children in Denison should be honored with a suitable monument. (The Sunday Gazetteer, Sunday, March 27, 1904)