Reeves, Thomas D.

Summary

Father: John Reeves
Mother: Mary

Birth: 6 Mar 1814, Ohio
Birth Source: Family Bible

Death: 22 Feb 1886
Death Source: Family Bible

Spouse1: Nancy W. Lloyd, m. 4 Jun 1846

Narrative

Children of Thomas D. Reeves and Nancy W. Lloyd:

1. John L. Reeves, b. 17 May 1847
2. Son Reeves, b. 9 Jul 1848, d. 9 Jul 1848
3. Son Reeves, b. 24 Sep 1849, d. 24 Sep 1849
4. Nancy E. L. Reeves, b. 19 Jan 1851, m. James Barclay
5. Madison G. Reeves, b. 15 Nov 1852 or 1853, d. 5 Mar 1854
6. Eliza Jane Reeves, b. 2 Feb 1855
7. Louisa Reeves, b. 21 of Apr 1856, m. George E. Barclay
8. Marty Ann Reeves, b. 3 of Nov 1858
9. Daughter Reeves, b. 3 Nov 1858, d. 14 Jan 1862
10. Anna Charlotte Reeves, b. 18 Mar 1860

From Portrait and biographical record of the Willamette valley, Oregon:

THOMAS D. REEVES. One of the very earliest pioneers in Benton county. Ore., was Thomas D. Reeves, who took up what is claimed to be the first donation claim of land so taken in the county. It is located fifteen miles southwest of Corvallis. and two miles east of Bellfountain, and consists of six hundred and forty acres. The property is variously occupied at the present date, a part of it having passed into the hands of other parties, James E. Edwards now owning the piece upon which Mr. Reeves first made his home.

Mr. Reeves was born in Ohio, March 6, 1814, his father being a tanner by trade, to which life the son was reared. He remained at home in Ohio until 1843. at that date preparing to take the long and hazardous journey across the plains. His outfit consisted of the usual articles necessary for the trip, the patient, trusty oxen being used to draw the wagons. It was fortunate that they met with no trouble from the Indians, for they were called upon to endure every sort and description of hardship and privation before the end of the journey was reached. After several months the party arrived in Oregon and Mr. Reeves first took up a donation claim on Tualatin plains, Washington county, leaving it shortly, however, to come into Benton county and take up the claim previously mentioned.

In 1846 Mr. Reeves married Nancy Lloyd, who crossed the plains in 1845, and settled in this vicinity, and on this property they continued to make their home up to the time of their deaths with the exception of four or five years, he living to be seventy-two and she to be thirty-three. Of the children born to them Eliza is now the wife of William Barclay, of this vicinity ; Louisa is in Dayton, Wash. ; and Anna is the wife of Edwin N. Starr. Mr. Reeves carried on general farming and stock-raising, and though interested in his work always found time to take an active part in the affairs of the community. He was always interested in politics, being a stanch Democrat, and was also very philanthropical, giving freely of means which became his through the years of effort, giving to churches and schools and to anyone in need who called upon him for assistance. He was a justly popular man, an enviable place in the esteem of the people of this county being his, and his death was a loss felt by many.

The Oregon, Early Oregonians Index, 1800-1860 database on Ancestry lists him as born in Ross County, Ohio. The 1880 census states he was born in Ohio, his father in Virginia, and mother in Ireland.

Thomas is buried in the Bellfountain Cemetery in Benton County, Oregon. Dates on headstone match family Bible.

Research Notes

Thomas was probably the son of John Reeves and Mary Dill. There is a John Reeves in the 1820 Ross County, Ohio census who may be this John.

Sources

Birth:          Thomas D. Reeves Family Bible
                   Headstone, Bellfountain Cemetery, Benton County, Oregon
Death:        Thomas D. Reeves Family Bible
                   Headstone, Bellfountain Cemetery, Benton County, Oregon

1850 Census:  Benton County, Oregon
1860 Census:  Benton County, Oregon
1880 Census:  Benton County, Oregon

Portrait and biographical record of the Willamette valley, Oregon (1903), p1172