In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1850, Lawrence county
From Past and present of Guthrie County, Iowa : together with biographical sketches of many of its prominent and leading citizens and illustrious dead (1907)
SIMPSON REYNOLDS.
Simpson Reynolds, a farmer residing on section 12, Seely township, was born on the 9th of May, 1850, in Lawrence county, Indiana, his parents being Robert and Leaner (Hoopingarner) Reynolds. The father was a farmer by occupation and the year 1854 witnessed his arrival in Guthrie county, which was then a largely unimproved district. Much of the land was still in possession of the government and few improvements had been made throughout this portion of the state. He took up his above in what is now Jackson township, but after a year removed to Victory township, where he spent his remaining days, living there for a third of a century, or until his death in 1888. His widow still survives and yet makes her home on the old Reynolds homestead. Their family numbered three children— Simpson; Caroline, the wife of Frank
Brann, of Des Moines, Iowa; and Charles, who is Hving on the old home place.
Simpson Reynolds spent the first four years of his life in the state of his nativity and was then brought by his parents to Iowa. He acquired a common school education and worked in the fields through the summer months, remaining at home until twenty-eight years of age, when he bought three hundred and thirty acres of land in Seely township. This he still owns and operates and he has brought the farm under a high state of cultivation. He has made a specialty of the breeding of Norman horses and is well known in this connection, having a wide reputation as a stock-breeder. He is determined and energetic in his business and carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes.
On the 7th of February, 1879, Mr. Reynolds was married to Miss Alfredda Bell, a daughter of John and Sarah Bell, who came from Ohio to Madison county, Iowa, and later to Guthrie county, but both are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds have become the parents of five children, who are still living: Wesley, who was born December 14, 1 88 1, and now follows farming in Seely township; Effie, who was born November 2y, 1888, and is a school teacher living at home; Burl, bom August 15, 1892; Ross, June 16, 1898; and Eunice, November 27, 1900. One child, Alletta, the second in order of birth, was born November 28, 1 88 1, and died April 14, 1887.
Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and are interested in its growth and upbuilding. He votes with the democracy and has served as school director at various times. More than a half century has passed since he became a resident of Guthrie county and he has therefore witnessed the greater part of its growth and development. His memory goes back to the time when it was a frontier district and the settlers experienced the hardships and privation? of pioneer life. He has seen the changes which have occurred as the incoming population have claimed the land and converted it into the uses of civilization and as the years have gone by he has shown his interest in public affairs by the support which he has given to many movements for the general good.
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.
The printed record stops around 1907. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.