Reeves, George Willis

Summary

Father: William Harrison Reeves
Mother: Penelope B. White

Birth: 10 Feb 1847 in Ballard County, Kentucky
Birth Source: Biography, Memorial Record of Western Kentucky, pub. 1904

Death: 25 Sep 1911, Anaconda, Montana
Death Source:

Spouse1: Mary E. Marshall, Dec 1870, Ballard County, Kentucky
Spouse2: Alice F. Lacy in 1895 in Kentucky

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Narrative

Children of George Willis Reeves and Mary E. Marshall are:

1. Emily Marshall Reeves, b. 11 Sep 1871
2. Alice White Reeves, b. 23 Jun 1875
3. Katherine Josephine Reeves, b. 15 Oct 1882

Biography of GEORGE W. REEVES:
(This biography has numerous flaws and incorrect statements regarding prior family history but is worth including for the information specific to George Willis Reeves and his family.)

The true measure of success is determined by what one has accomplished, and, as taken in contradistinction to the old adage that a prophet is never without honor save in his own country, there is particular interest attaching to the career of the subject of this review, since he is a native son of the county where he has passed most of his active life, and so directed his ability and efforts as to gain recognition as one of the representative citizens of Ballard county. He is now successfully practicing law in Wickliffe, where he has resided since 1897, and previously he was a legal practitioner at Blandville. Mr. Reeves was born in Ballard county, February 10, 1847, and is descended from an old Virginia family. His paternal grandfather, George Reeves, was born and reared in Virginia (sic), and after his marriage brought his family to Kentucky, spending his remaining days in Warren county, this state. His son, Colonel William H. Reeves, the father of George W. Reeves, was born in Virginia (sic Kentucky), and with his parents went to Warren county in his early boyhood. In 1828 he removed to the district of the state known as Jackson Purchase, now Ballard county, becoming one of the pioneer settlers of the locality. By occupation he was a farmer, and throughout the locality was known as Colonel Reeves, being an influential and prominent citizen, who largely aided in molding public thought and action. He married Nellie (Penelope) B. White, a daughter of Rev. Willis White, a prominent early preacher of Kentucky and the father of Hon. James Dempsey White, ex-judge of the appellate court of Kentucky. To the parents of our subject were born the following children: Mary E., who is the wife of Dr. Charles Hinkle, of Hinkleville, Kentucky; George Willis; Susan J., now the wife of Hon. W. J. Puckett, of Colorado; William T., of Pocatello, Idaho; Martha H., deceased, was the wife of Rev. W. W. Morris, of Paducah, Kentucky; Fannie B., the wife of Thomas Miller, of Denver, Colorado; and Robert L., who is president of the First National Bank of Paducah, Kentucky. The father died in 1889, at the age of seventy-five years, and the mother died in 1880, when fifty-eight years of age. Upon the home farm George Willis Reeves remained until seventeen years of age, and in the meantime acquired a good literary education in the common schools and in Woodside Seminary. He then took up the study of law and at the age of twenty years was admitted to the bar, and has been engaged in active practice continuously since. He resided and practiced in Blandville until 1879, and was then elected to represent the second senatorial district of Kentucky in the state senate, where he served for four years. He afterward filled the position of assistant clerk of the senate during one session. In 1884 he removed from Kentucky to Missoula, Montana, where he was twice elected judge of the probate court of the county, defeating a Republican candidate of marked popularity and prominence. In 1897, he returned to his native state, taking up his abode in Wickliffe, which in the meantime had become the county seat of Ballard county, and here he has since practiced with excellent success, his business constantly increasing in volume and importance. The favorable judgment which the world passed upon him in his early years has never been set aside or in any degree modified. It has on the contrary, been emphasized by his careful conduct of important litigation, his candor and fairness in the presentation of cases, his zeal and earnestness as an advocate, and the general commendation he has received from his contemporaries. In 1870 Mr. Reeves wedded Miss Mary E., daughter of Judge Charles S. Marshall, of Paducah, Kentucky. She died in 1889, leaving three living children: Emily M. who is the wife of Arthur McKeon, of Bonner, Montana; Alice, the wife of Henry A. Stuart of Missoula, Montana; and Katie. In 1895 Mr. Reeves married Mrs. Alice F. Jenkins, a daughter of Henry Lacy of Lafayette, Kentucky. The Judge is quite prominent in civil societies, being a popular and active representative of various organizations which have for their object mutual helpfulness and brotherly kindness as well as sociability. He has attained the thirty second degree of the Scottish Rite in Masonry, belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Ancient Order of the United Workmen and the Independent Order of Foresters, and is also connected with the Knights of the Maccabees. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Christian church.
Source: Memorial Record of Western Kentucky, Lewis Publishing Company, 1904, pp 434-436 (Corrected)