Reeves, John

Summary

Father: George P. Reeves
Mother: Jane Collings

Birth: c25 Apr 1803, Glastonbury, Somersetshire, England
Birth Source: Baptismal record

Death: 1895
Death Source: Headstone

Spouse1: Ann Jeanes, m. May 1828

Narrative

From Biographical History:

JOHN REEVES, familiarly known as "Uncle John," whose bright, cheerful countenance is daily seen in Orwell, Ohio, was born February 25, 1803, in Glastonbury, Somersetshire, England. lie comes of an old and respected English family, his father, George P. Reeves, having been a prominent citizen of Edington, Somerset shire, England. The subject of this sketch was one of seven children, but three of whom, two sons and one daughter, grew to maturity. Of these, Mr. Reeves of this notice is the oldest; William, his brother, was born in Edington, Somersetshire, England, August 26, 1806, and resided in that city until manhood. Determining to seek his fortune in the new world, William set sail for America May 8, 1830, arriving at his destination July 2 of the same 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 work man. In 1835 he removed to Orwell, Ohio, where he became a prosperous and influential citizen, his death occurring, January 6, 1872, in that city where he was greatly regretted by all who knew him. Betsey, sister of the subject of this sketch, died in her native country.
Mr. Reeves of this notice is a man of superior education, yet the opportunities afforded him after the age of ten years were obtained through his own hard labor and economy, and he deserves great credit for his perseverance and industry. He learned the trade of tanner and currier and that of tine leather dressing, at which he worked all his active years. He is a good Latin scholar and well versed in science, and is also a good penman. lie is an apt and accurate mathematician, and is the author of "Reeves' Tabulated Forms for Commercial Calculations," an exhaustive and extended as well as valuable work. He is also a poet of some note, although his poems have never been published, as he has never tried to turn this talent to profit, but has written for pastime only.
May, 1828, Mr. Reeves was married to Miss Ann Jeanes, a lady of many worthy traits of character, a native of Lamyatt, England, and they lived happily together until her death in 1850, her loss being widely and sincerely mourned. They had no children.
In 1851 Mr. Reeves came to America, crossing the ocean in a sailing vessel, being five weeks on the voyage. On his arrival in the United States, he at once began work at his trade, his skill readily finding and retaining employment in the best establishments. He worked in all the principal cities in the East, being employed all the time as a journeyman, with the exception of a few years during which he owned and managed a business of his own in Newburg, Ohio. This he sold, owing to his advanced age and its attendant infirmities. He has never remarried and being childless makes his home with a nephew, Captain Calvin Reeves, a genial, whole-souled gentleman and prominent citizen of Orwell, who is a son of William Reeves, deceased, brother of the subject of this sketch.
In politics, our venerable subject advocates the principles of the Republican party. He is a useful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and beloved and respected by all who know him.

Research Notes

Sources

Baptism:    Somerset, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages, and Burials, 1531-1812 (Ancestry)
Death:        Headstone, Orwell North Cemetery, Ashtabula County, Ohio

Biographical History of Northeastern Ohio: Embracing the Counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake, p697 (1893)