Elijah J. Reynolds

As printed in 1907

ELIJAH J. REYNOLDS.

Elijah J. Reynolds is now living retired/ but the name of no resident of Panora has been more closely or honorably associated with its business development and financial interests. He was for many years closely associated with enterprises that contributed to its growth, progress and prosperity, and through the careful conduct of his individual interests he achieved a measure of success that makes possible his present rest from labor. His birth occurred near Spencer,. Owen county, Indiana, on the 5th of July, 1832, and he traces his ancestry back to an early period in the colonization of the new world. The first representative of the name in this country came from England, and the grandfather of our subject, espousing the cause of the colonies, participated in the Revolutionary war and aided in the establishment of the republic.

Gillium Reynolds, father of E. J. Reynolds, was born in North Carolina in 1806 and when a young man established his home upon the frontier in Owen county, Indiana, developing a farm there in the midst of the wilderness, for at that time almost that entire portion of the state was covered with heavy timber. He experienced the usual hardships and privations of frontier life, but aided in the reclamation of a wild district for the puqDoses of civilization. He was married in Owen county to Miss Winnie Beman, also a native of North Carolina and a daughter of Jacob Beman, who was born in the same state, of English parentage. Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds continued to make their home in Indiana until the loth of May, 1852, when, with the children that had been added to the household, they started for Iowa, journeying after the primitive manner of the times with an o.x team and covered wagon. They also brought with them three horses and twenty-five head of cattle, and were twenty-three days upon the way. On reaching Guthrie county they stopped on a hill just south of Panora, and the father purchased a claim on which a log cabin had been built. In July following he entered forty acres of government land and resolutely undertook the task of developing his farm, but his life's labors were terminated in death in October, 1856, when he was fifty years of age. When he became a voter lie supported the democracy and remained one of the stalwart advocates of the party, the only exception to his support thereof.being when he cast a ballot for General Taylor, of whom he was a great admirer. Mr. Reynolds was a man of strong physique and high moral courage, and his influence was an element for good in every community in which he lived. Unto him and his wife were born thirteen children, of whom two died in infancy, while the others reached adult age.

elijah Jackson Reynolds was a young man of about twenty years of age when the family came to Iowa. He had been reared in the county of his nativity, and his youth was largely a period of unremitting toil, for he worked strenuously on the frontier farm. chopping, grubbing and log-rolling. As a pupil in one of the old-time log schoolhouses he conned his lessons from primitive text-books while sitting on a slab seat. The writing desks were made of slabs laid upon wooden pins driven into the wall, and the room was heated by an immense fireplace, but school was held for only about two and a half or three months each year, so that the educational advantages which Mr. Reynolds received were very limited. However, he has made good use of his opportunities in later years and by reading, experience and observation has become a well informed man. He remained with the family for a year or two after their arrival in Iowa and was then married and established a home of his own.

It was on the 23d of June, 1853, that he wedded Miss Eliza Anderson, who was born in Richland county, Ohio, February 2, 1837, her parents being John and Elizabeth C. ( Roe) Anderson, early residents of Guthrie county. Her father, of English descent, was a native of Pennsylvania, and her mother's birth occurred in Ohio. In 1852 they came to Iowa, establishing their home northwest of Panora. where Mr. Anderson died in March. 1854. at the age of sixty years, leaving a widow and nine children. The mother died at the age of fifty-four years. The members of their family\- were as follows: Delilah, the widow of.Miles Gammill;.Samuel, a minister of the gospel, residing in California: Rachel, the wife of William Queen, of Kansas: Mrs. Reynolds: Mary, the wife of Isom Reynolds: Sarah Jane, who married John West, of Hitchcock county..Nebraska: Lucinda. the wife of Alexander rent, of Panora: Rebecca, the wife of Daniel Diehl. of Panora: and Elizabeth C. the wife of Jacob Robinson, of Gentr\" county. Missouri.

Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds began their domestic life upon a home farm adjoining Panora aiKl there lived continuously with the exception of two years spent in Guthrie Center. Mr. Reynolds not only supervi.sed his farming interests, but also extended his efforts into other fields of business activity. I'or eight years he operated a gristmill west of the town, and for.1 long period he was actively associated with the Guthrie County National Bank at Panora, of which he became vice president. He was also owner of a store, but disposed of that in order to enter the grain trade, in which he continued for six or seven years. He possesses the strong determination that enables him to carry forward tosuccessful completion whatever he undertakes. In recent years, however, he has lived retired, having acquired by his former toil and activity a handsome competence that now enables him to rest from further business cares.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds were born six children: Martha the wife of WiUiam Spurgeon. a resident of Texas; Marshall M.. president of the Guthrie County National Bank at Panora; Sarah Ellen, the wife of H. M. Pentecost, proprietor of the Panora Brick & Tile Works; George M., president of the Continental Bank of Chicago; Arthur, president of the Des Moines National Bank; and one now deceased.

In the business world the sons have made most enviable and creditable records, gaining positions of distinction in financial circles.

In politics Mr. Reynolds has ever been a stalwart republican and has wielded a wide influence in political circles in the county, serving frequently as a delegate to county, state and congressional conventions. In 1870 he was elected county treasurer and was twice re-elected, filling the position altogether for six years in a manner highly satisfactory and winning for him uniform commendation. He has likewise filled other positions of public trust and has ever been most loyal to the duties of municipal and county offices. Fraternally he is a Mason, belonging to the lodge at Panora. His is a progressive spirit that has found tangible evidence in his active co-operation in many movements to advance the temperance cause and to promote educational and church work. He always stands for progress and development and his labors have been directly beneficial to the county in their far-reaching influence. He and his wife now reside upon the old homestead where they began their married life, although in the meantime, as the growth of Panora has extended its boundaries, they have sold off much of their land. They have a pleasant home, which has always been celebrated for its warmhearted and gracious hospitality, and both Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds are numbered among the most highly respected residents of this part of the state.

As printed in Past and present of Guthrie County, Iowa : together with biographical sketches of many of its prominent and leading citizens and illustrious dead (1907). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.