Reeves, William F.

Summary

Father: Jabez Reeves
Mother: Nancy Coe

Birth: 4 Sep 1827, Brown County, Ohio
Birth Source: Headstone

Death: 19 Aug 1892
Death Source: Headstone

Spouse1: Hannah M. (Gilson), m. 23 May 1850, Rush County, Indiana

Narrative

Children of William F. Reeves and Hannah M. (Gilson):

1. Marshall T. Reeves, b. 5 Mar 1851
2. Jefferson Bright Reeves, b. 24 Sep 1855
3. Chester D. Reeves, b. c1858, d. 11 Jul 1860
4. Ollie Florence Reeves, b. 18 Mar 1861
5. Milton Othello Reeves, b. 24 Aug 1864
6. Isabella A. Reeves, b. 14 Jul 1867, d. 26 Sep 1869
7. Gernie L. Reeves, b. 17 Nov 1871
8. Herbert F. Reeves, d. 12 Jan 1877

A biography of William is contained in the book History of Rush County, 1888:

WILLIAM F. REEVES, a substantial farmer and prominent citizen of Center Township, was born in Brown County, Ohio, September 4, 1827. His parents, Jabez and Nancy Reeves were also natives of the State of Ohio. When William was yet a child but two months old, his parents came to Rush County and located upon the farm he now occupies in Center Township, the father having entered the land from the government. The parents continued upon the same place until the year 1861. In that year they removed to Knightstown, Henry Co., where they still continue to reside. The father is now in his eighty-second year, and the mother in the eighty-third year of her age. They were married on the 26th day of February, 1824, and have therefore lived as husband and wife more than sixty-three years, and though aged as they are, both enjoy good health and bid fair to live for many years to come, to enjoy the fruits and blessings of a well-spent life. The subject of this sketch was reared upon the old home place, which he now owns himself, assisting to clear and cultivate the farm in summer and attending district school in winter. At the age of nineteen, he took up the avocation of a teacher, which furnished his winter's employment for about five years. Since then his undivided attention has been given to farming. He was married May 16, 1850, to Hannah M. Gilson, who was born within the present limits of Jackson Township, November 13, 1831, being the daughter of Andrew and Mary Gilson, both of whom were natives of Virginia. They were married in their native state and came to Rush County in about 1820. Here they both spent the rest of their lives, the father dying in 1832, and the mother in 1841. Mr. and Mrs. Reeves have had nine children: Marshal T., Newton J., Jefferson B., Chester D., Ollie F., Milton O., Isabell A., Girnie L. and Heber F., only four of whom are living. They are Marshal T., Ollie F., Milton O. and Girnie L. Mr. and Mrs. Reeves are members of the Christian Church. In politics, Mr. Reeves is a Democrat. He has served his township in the capacity of Trustee one term. He has also served as Justice of the Peace two full terms and was elected for a third term, but resigned before the term expired. He owns a fine farm of 185 acres where he lives, besides another farm of eighty acres in the same township. Their son, Jefferson B., was born September 24, 1855. He studied law and was admitted to the bar, at Columbus, Ind., where he soon won a prominent place in his profession. He was elected a member of the State Legislature in the fall of 1884, but died before the expiration of his term, his death occurring September 1, 1880.

The Republic, 14 Aug 1900
Death of Mrs. Hannah Reeves
Mrs. Hannah Moffit Reeves died at her home on the corner of Fifth and California streets yesterday evening at 7:35 o'clock. Mrs. Reeves was struck with paralysis last March and has steadily grown worse. She was born in Rush county, Indiana, Nov. 13, 1831. She married William F. Reeves May 15, 1850. They had nine children, four of whom died when small, and Jeff B. Reeves, who died in 1886. The other four children, Marshall T. Reeves, Mrs. Sam McBride, M. O. Reeves and Gernie L. Reeves, are still alive and were at her bedside when the end came. The remains will be taken to Rush county in the morning and interred in the old family burying ground, 12 miles from Rushville. The funeral services will be conducted by Elder A. J. Frank.

Research Notes

The 1923 Passport Application for son Girnie L. Reeves states William was born in Brown County, Ohio. The 1906 Death Certificate of daughter Ollie also confirms this.

Sources

Birth:          Headstone, Center Church Cemetery, Center Township, Rush County, Indiana
Marriage1:  Indiana, Compiled Marriages, 1802-1850 (Ancestry)
Death:        Headstone, Center Church Cemetery, Center Township, Rush County, Indiana
                   

1860 Census:  Rush County, Indiana
1870 Census:  Rush County, Indiana
1880 Census:  Rush County, Indiana

U.S., Civil War Draft Registrations Records, 1863-1865, William F. Reeves, Centre, Indiana (Ancestry)
The Republic, 14 Aug 1900
History of Rush County, 1888, p390