Reeves, Calvin
Summary
Father: William ReevesMother: Clora Northway
Birth: 26 Mar 1834, Gaines, New York
Birth Source: Biography
Death: 1914
Death Source: Headstone
Spouse1: Caroline H. Baker, m. 2 Apr 1863, Lake County, Ohio
Narrative
Children 0f Calvin Reeves and Caroline H. Baker:- Fanny Reeves, b. 24 Oct 1864
- H. Clayton Reeves, b. 17 Jan 1867
- Julia M. Reeves, b. 2 Oct 1875, m. Mr. Haass
- John B. Reeves, b. 29 Sep 1877
Calvin was buried in the Orwell North Cemetery in Ashtabula County, Ohio.
His brother Edwin was living with him in 1910.
From the Biographical History of Northeastern Ohio:
CAPTAIN CALVIN REEVES, for the past thirteen years traveling salesman throughout the Western States for the Broad head Worsted Mills, of Jamestown, blew York, a genial gentleman and respected citizen of Orwell, Ohio, was born in Gaines, New York, March 26, 1834. He comes of an old and well-known English family, his grandfather, George P. Reeves, having been a prominent citizen of Edington, Somersetshire, England, all his life. William, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in that city, August 26, 1806, where he lived to manhood. Concluding to seek his fortune in the new world, William set sail from his native land for America May 8, 1830, arriving at his destination July 2, of that year. He settled in Pompeii, now called Cardiff, New York, where he followed his trade of tanner and currier, in which he was a master workman.. In 1835 he removed to Orwell, Ohio, where he became a prosperous and influential citizen, his death occurring June 6, 1872. His wife, nee Clora Northway, was born in Pompeii, New York, March 13, 1813, and was a daughter of Zenas and Sallie Northway, old and esteemed residents of that place. Mr. and Mrs. William Reeves had nine children, eight sons and one daughter, of whom we offer the following brief mention: Calvin, whose name heads this sketch; George P., born May 1, 1835, a prosperous jeweler, residing in Helena, Montana; Charles S., born May 8, 1838, died in the United States army; Truman, born August 17, 1840, at present (1893) serving his second term as Treasurer of San Bernardino county, California; Edwin, born September 19, 1842, also residing in Helena, Montana; Maria J., born January 4, 1845, is the wife of Henry Pickett, a prominent citizen of Andover, Ohio; Collings E., born July 31, 1847, was drowned, at the age of two and a half years, in a tan vat in his father’s tanyard; Andrew J., born January 8, 1849, died in Orwell, Ohio, November 29, 1869, unmarried; and Emery A., born October 10, 1851, died in California February 26, 1883, unmarried.
The subject of this sketch received his primary education in the district schools of pioneer times in Ohio, and, being the oldest of a large family, early learned to rely on his own resources, thus acquiring that selfreliance and perseverance which have contributed to his success in life. Possessing a good intellect and a studious disposition, he desired above all things to obtain a good education, and secured the necessary funds to enter Orwell Academy — at that time the best school in the county — by chopping four-foot cordwood and hauling it a mile and a half to sell it. By hard labor, strict economy and close attention to his studies, he was soon at the head of his class, and, after a few terms at this institute, obtained a license to teach. His first school was in Windsor, Ashtabula county, where he successfully taught three terms, at the same time pursuing his own studies in the higher branches. At the close of his school in Windsor, he entered the employ of Messrs. McCombs & Smiths, drygoods merchants of Warren, Ohio, as bookkeeper and remained with that firm for some time. He then accepted the principalship of a grammar school in Janesville, Wisconsin. This change was made at the beginning of the late war. The spirit of patriotism predominating over the fascination of the school room, Mr. Reeves enlisted as a private in the Twenty-second Wisconsin Infantry, shortly afterward being raised to the commission of First Lieutenant, in which position he served until 1863, when he was discharged on account of sickness, and returned to his home in Ohio. On recovering his health, he went to Rochester, Minnesota, where he clerked in the dry-goods store of J. D. Blake until August 15, 1864. lie then again enlisted as a private, and was promoted, August 25, to Second Lieutenant, and on November 24, 1864, received a commission as Captain of the First Minnesota Artillery, in which position he served until the close of the war, being discharged in November, 1865. He was in the battle of Nashville, and was engaged on the trail of the famous raider, John H. Morgan. Captain Reeves also commanded Fort Creighton for some time, there being only one remaining of eighteen forts which w r ere erected at Chattanooga during the war.
One year later, in 1866, Captain Reeves, in partnership with M. M. Hilliard, of Orwell, entered the general merchandise business in that city, where they successfully continued until 1871, when Captain Reeves once more went West to Minnesota. In 1881 he returned to Orwell and entered the employ of Messrs. William Ilroadhead & Son as their traveling salesman throughout the West, in which capacity he has efficiently acted for thirteen years, winning golden opinions from his employers and the people alike. A good business man, fundamentally, and a cultured, courteous gentleman always, he would reflect credit on any calling, and is one of those who have been instrumental in raising the standard of the ordinary commercial traveler, until at the present time that ubiquitous personage occupies an honorable position in the commercial world. The commercial travelers are the pathfinders, the distributers, and as such are entitled to universal esteem.
April 2, 1863, Captain Reeves was married to Miss Carolina H. Baker, a lady of domestic and social accomplishments, daughter of Josiah W. and Mary Ann Baker, old and esteemed residents of Orwell. Mrs. Reeves was born April 20, 1840, in that city, and educated at Orwell and at the Painesville Seminary. A lady of unusual culture and geniality, she impresses favorably all whom she meets, and she ever shares the popularity of her husband. They have four children: Fannie M., born October 24, 1864, who will be mentioned more at length further on; H. Clayton, born January 17, 1867, married Miss Cora B. Hunt, on May 22, 1889, and has one child, Marian, born August 21, 1890; Julia M., born October 2, 1875, an estimable young lady, and John B., born September 29, 1877, are at home. Fannie M. married Samuel Runner, now a prominent merchant of Canal Dover, Ohio. Lie is a native of Buzmka, Hungary, born March 12, 1859. He left the land of his birth when he was seventeen years of age, on account of the conscription act, and came to America. He settled at Garrettsville, Ohio, where he made his home with a Mr. Johnson, whom he regards as a father. His first business venture was as a pack peddler and later as a merchant in Orwell. He finally engaged in the general merchandise business at his present place, where he has a well selected and complete stock of goods. Mr. Runner is a man of good education and business ability, well posted on the topics of the day and of the highest financial standing. Mr. and Mrs. Runner have two interesting children: Zella. born April 1, 1884; and Hilda, born October 19, 1889.
Politically, Captain Reeves advocates the principles of the Republican party. Fraternally, he is a member of the F. & A. M. and the I. O. O. F.
In his substantial and attractive home, surrounded by an interesting family and a host of personal friends, Captain Reeves may be truly said to have gained the highest success in life, and is rightly regarded as a representative citizen of the place, to whose welfare he has materially contributed.
Research Notes
Sources
Birth: Orwell North Cemetery, Ashtabula County, OhioMarriage1: Ohio, County Marriage Records, 1774-1993 (Ancestry)
Death: Orwell North Cemetery, Ashtabula County, Ohio
1870 Census: Ashtabula County, Ohio
1880 Census: Wabasha County, Minnesota
1900 Census: Ashtabula County, Ohio
1910 Census: Ashtabula County, Ohio
Biographical History of Northeastern Ohio: Embracing the Counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake, p644 (1893)