Reeves, Seth
Summary
Father: William ReevesMother: Ann
Birth: 6 Feb 1833, New Leeds, Yorkshire
Birth Source: Obituary
Death: 15 Nov 1895
Death Source: Obituary
Spouse1: Elizabeth Rablin, m. 1859
Narrative
Children of Seth Reeves and Elizabeth Rablin:- Myra Reeves, b. c1861, m. Mr. Solar
- William H. Reeves, b. c1862
- Laura A. Reeves, b. c1866
- Arthur Reeves, b. c1869
- Seth Reeves, b. c1876
- Frank Reeves, b. c1879
Seth's obituary states he was born in New Leeds, Yorkshire. We know his parents names from the 1850 census. There is a baptism record for him from 28 Mar 1833 at Rothwell, York, some 15 miles from New Leeds. He was living with his parents in Leeds, Yorkshire in 1841.
He was living with his parents in Iowa County, Wisconsin in 1850.
The following was published in the The Centralia Enterprise and Tribune:
In Memoriam
Life's work well and nobly done. Seth Reeves has passed to rest eternal. In every walk of life, whether public or private, he was a man of honor and spotless integrity. A kind husband, an indulgent father, a good citizen, an honest, upright man, these are the flowers twined in memory's weath of his life and work. With charity for all, with malice toward none, he walked unostentatiously his way of life.
Two years ago sickness laid its hand upon him and, though he seemed to rally on one or two occasions, he gradually failed since then until Friday evening, November 15th, he closed his eyes for aye upon earth's busy scenes.
Seth Reeves was born in New Leeds, Yorkshire, England, February 6, 1833. At the age of seventeen he came with his parents to this country locating in Iowa County, Wisconsin. After a residence thereof some years, Mr. Reeves then, a young man, came to Grand Rapids in 1856, in which he has since made his home. In 1859 he was married to Miss Elizabeth Rablin who survives him. When Grand Rapids was incorporated as a city, Mr. Reeves was chosen its first mayor and was re-elected for a second term. He also held several other city offices and was several times a member of the county board. He was also an honored member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows orders.
Besides his widow four children survive his death, two sons, Will H. and Arthur, and two daughters, Mrs. Myra Solar, of Kaukauna, and Miss Laura, a teacher in the primary department of the Howe High School.
The funeral services were held at the Congregational church Sunday afternoon, and were attended by the dead man's wide circle of friends. Rev. Kilburne preached a very impressive sermon, after which the remains were borne to rest in Forest Hill cemetery. At the grave the Masonic lodge carried out their impressive burial ritual.
The Odd Fellows Lodge adopted the following resolutions at its last meeting:
WHEREAS. It has pleased Almighty God in his providence to remove from us by death our esteemed friend and brother, Seth Reeves.
Resolved, That in his death our society has met with a great loss, the community a useful and worthy citizen, and his family a loving, true and faithful father and husband and companion;
Resolved, That we tender his friends and relatives our heartfelt sympathies and as a mark of respect we will drape our hall in mourning for thirty days;
Resolved, Tgat a copy of this resolution be sent to the bereaved family, spread upon the records of our society and published in the Wood County Reporter and Centralia ENTERPRISE.
G. F. WITTER
H. H. VOSS
R. A. DUNAVEN,
Committee
Seth and Elizabeth are buried in Forest Hill Cemetery, Wisconsin Rapids, Wood County, Wisconsin.
Research Notes
Sources
Birth: Obituary, The Centralia Enterprise and Tribune, 23 Nov 1895Death: Obituary, The Centralia Enterprise and Tribune, 23 Nov 1895
Burial: Findagrave - Forest Hill Cemetery, Wisconsin Rapids, Wood County, Wisconsin
1841 Census: FamilySearch - Leeds, Yorkshire, West Riding
1850 Census: Waldwick, Iowa County, Wisconsin
1860 Census: Grand Rapids, Wood County, Wisconsin
1870 Census: Grand Rapids Ward 1, Wood County, Wisconsin
1880 Census: Grand Rapids, Wood County, Wisconsin