Reeve, John B.

Summary

Father: Benjamin Reeve
Mother: Elizabeth D. Driskell

Birth: 28 Oct 1834, Indiana
Birth Source: Death Certificate

Death: 18 Nov 1911, Rushville, Rush County, Indiana
Death Source: Death Certificate

Spouse1: Mary Alice Dixon, m. 20 Dec 1865, Indiana

Narrative

Children of John B. Reeve and Mary Alice Dixon:

1. Earl Reeve, b. c1870
2. Nellie, d. 24 Dec 1879

A biography was included in his obituary in the Rushville Republican, 18 Nov 1911:

CAPT. J. B. REEVE EXPIRED TODAY
Banker and Business Man Died After Being in Poor Health For Two Years.
FALL CAUSED FIRST SICKNESS
Had Been Affiliated With Business Interests of Rushville For Almost Half Century.
RETIRED FROM BANK 2 YEARS
Was Veteran of Civil War, Former County Treasurer. Merchant, and Bank Cashier.

Capt. J. B. Reeve. age seventy-five years, prominent and well known banker and business man, died at his home, 529 North Main street, shortly after the noon hour today alter an illness extending over a period of more than four weeks. The funeral arrangement, had not yet been completed at a late hour this afternoon.

Physicians differed in their opinion as to the cause of Mr. Reeve’s illness. It is thought that many things contributed to his death. He was suffering with typhoid fever, it is believed, and other ailments which were brought on by a fall which Mr. Reeve received in September 1909.

Capt. Reeve had been confined to his bed during his last illness for over four weeks. He was taken ill after it was thought that he was improving after a period of illness caused by
the accident in 1909. He was able to be out last summer and it was then thought for n time that lie would regain his health.

Shortly after he was taken sick the last lime his ease was diagnosed by some physicians as typhoid fever, while others did not hold that belief. One night this week a specialist from
Anderson was called to his bedside and pronounced the ailment typhoid fever. He bad been critically ill for the past two weeks and practically no hope had been held out for his recovery. Thursday night he suffered a sinking spell when it was thought that he was dying.

Capt. Reeve was affiliated with the business interests of Rushville for almost half a century. After the war he was in the dry goods business for thirty years. He retired from that to accept the position as cashier of the Rushville National Bank in which capacity he served well until January, 1910.

A fall on the sidewalk was largely responsible for the retirement of Mr. Reeve from active business life. In September, 1909, as Mr. Reeve stepped from the sidewalk in front of the Kramer meat market, he slipped on a stone and fell, sustaining a severe injury to his hip.

He was hauled to his home and was not able to leave his bed for several months. Mr. Reeve suffered much and it was feared at that time that he would never recover but his vitality proved to be above the average and he survived the injury and was able to be out again.

The month following the date of the injury to Mr. Reeve. Albert Winship, former county auditor and retired farmer, went into the Rushville National bank. In January he was elected by the directors to fill the vacancy by the resignation of Capt. Reeve which had been handed in after his accident.

For fourteen years Capt. Reeve was president of the board of trustees of the East Hill Cemetery Association. It is in this capacity that he was the most progressive. Through his leadership the board of trustee's improved East Hill Cemetery until it has come to be recognized as one of the most beautiful burying grounds in the State of Indiana. During his term of office the cemetery was developed the most. A beautiful stone chapel and an artistic stone arch was built at the entrance to the cemetery. The lawn is kept in perfect condition. East Hill has come to be a place to which Rushville residents have pointed with pride. Mr. Reeve a few years ago erected a beautiful mausoleum in East Hill for himself and family.

Mr. Reeve’s first business connection was with the Rush County Fair Association. He acted as secretary of that organization for a number of years and conducted the business of
the Association, in a very able manner. He resigned as secretary in 1879.

Capt. Reeve was a Republican in politics. He was active in politics in early life and was elected county treasurer on that ticket in 1868 and served one term, from 1870 until
1872.

In the spring of 1861 the civil war broke out and it was not many months until Mr. Reeve was in the thick of the fray. In the late summer of 1801 lie was commissioned a second lieutenant of Company, K., Thirty-seventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry. For his faithful service he was promoted to first Lieutenant and later was made Captain of his company. Capt. Reeve was Adjutant of his regiment, and later served on the staff of General St. Claire Morton, Chief Engineer of Major-general Roseneran’s army. He served in the civil war until the fall of 1864.

After returning from the war Capt. Reeve imediately engaged in the dry goods business here. His place of business was located where the Kennedy & Casady store now is. He followed this business successfully for thirty years. He sold stock to John H. Winship and Earl H. Payne.

In 1897 Capt. Reeve was elected cashier of the Rushville National bank. He acted in that capacity until September, 1909, or for twelve years, when he was incapacitated for work by a fall.

Mr. Reeve was the son of Benjamin F. and Elizabeth Driscoll Reeve and was born October 28, 1866, in Noble township. He was married in this city December 21, 1865 to Miss Alice Dixon, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Dixon. Two children, Earl and Nellie, were born to Mr. and Mrs. Reeve. The daughter died December 24, 1879 but the son Earl, who now resides in Chicago, survives. The widow also survives. Capt. Reeve was an active member of the M. E. church from young manhood.

Capt Reeve received his education in the common schools of Noble Township. Seeking higher learning he was graduated from the old Fairview Academy and he later went to Bryant's Commercial School in Indianapolis.

Research Notes

Sources

Birth:          Death Certificate, John B. Reeve, 1911
Marriage1:  Indiana, Marriages, 1810-2001 (Ancestry)
Death:        Death Certificate, John B. Reeve, 1911
                   Rushville Republican, 18 Nov 1911

1870 Census:  Rush County, Indiana
1880 Census:  Rush County, Indiana
1900 Census:  Rush County, Indiana
1910 Census:  Rush County, Indiana