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Jasper County, Iowa
Historical and Genealogical Data Exchange
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John
W. Reynolds It
is oftentimes considered by those in the habit of superficial thinking that the
history of so-called great men only is worthy of preservation and that little
merit exists among the masses to call forth the praises of the historian or the
cheers and appreciation of mankind. A greater mistake was never made. No man is
great in all things and very few are great in many things. Many by a lucky
stroke achieve lasting fame, who before that had no reputation beyond the limits
of their neighborhoods. It is not a
history of the lucky stroke that benefits humanity most, but the long study and
effort which made the lucky stroke possible.
It is the preliminary work, the method, that serves as a guide for the
success of others. Among those of
the past generation in Jasper County who achieved success along steady lines of
action was John W. Reynolds, a man whose character was above reproach and who
richly merited the confidence and esteem which all freely accorded him, for he
took a deep interest in the development of the locality, and always stood ready
to do his full share in the work of progress. Mr.
Reynolds was born on July 23, 1837, in Vermilion County, Illinois, the son of
Mr. and Mrs. William Reynolds, the mother dying when he was a baby and when he
was about fifteen years old his father came to Linn County, Iowa and there
purchased a farm where he continued to reside until his death, becoming well
established there, and he was one of the well known settlers of that County. When
he was about twenty-five years of age, John W. Reynolds returned to Vermilion
County, Illinois, and located near his old home, remaining there about fifteen
years, during which time he met and married, on June 16, 1861, Mary A. Morgan,
of that County. She was born June
4, 1843 and was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas H. Morgan, successful
farmers of that County and highly honored citizens there. Seven
children were born to this union, named as follows: Dora May died when four
years old; Alton lives in Denver, Colorado; Ida (deceased) married H. Van Epps,
of Jasper County, and they had two children. Nellie Grace dying in infancy,
Percy being the living child; Loella Reynolds died at the home of her mother at
the age of thirty-one years in 1901; Victor, who lives on the home farm, married
Ada L. Simpson and they have four children, Foster, Paul, Floyd and Robert;
Nellie Reynolds died in 1901; Foster, the youngest child, died in 1901. After
their marriage Mr. and Mrs. John W. Reynolds took up their residence in Illinois
and remained there eleven years, and in 1872 the family came to Jasper County,
Iowa, locating in Buena Vista Township on a farm of one hundred and forty acres,
about five and one-half miles southeast of Newton and there they lived until the
death of Mr. Reynolds on April 4, 1892, and there Mrs. Reynolds continued to
reside until 1900, when she moved to Newton, locating in a commodious and cozy
home which she had built. Remaining there a few years, she moved to the
beautiful home she now owns and occupies at No. 215 North Mechanic street, and
here many friends delight to gather for she is popular with a wide acquaintance.
She has retained the home farm. Mr. Reynolds made quite a success as a
general farmer and stock raiser and he was a man whom everybody trusted.
He was a worthy and active member of the Methodist church at Pleasant
View, Jasper County, to which his family also belongs. In 1862 Mr. Reynolds
showed his love of the national union by enlisting for service in the Federal
army, becoming a member of Company G, One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Illinois
Volunteer Infantry. A few months later he was honorably discharged on account of
disability and returned to his home in Vermilion County, Illinois.
Politically,
Mr. Reynolds was a Republican and he took an active part in the affairs of his
party. He was a well-read man and
always abreast of the times.
The Past and Present of Jasper County, Gen. James B. Weaver, Editor-In-Chief, 1912 B.F. Bowen Co., Indianapolis, IN, p. 573. |
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