Reeves, William T.

Summary

Father: William Harrison Reeves
Mother: Penelope B. White

Birth: 21 Jan 1855 in Ballard County, Kentucky
Birth Source: Census

Death: 27 Feb 1904 in Pocatello, Bannock, Idaho
Death Source: Gravestone in Mountain View Cemetery, Pocatello, Idaho, Obituary.

Spouse1: Lizzie E. Puckett, m. 20 Sep 1876, Ballard County, Kentucky, d. Jan 1880
Spouse2: Jennie Thomas, 7 Sep 1881 in Ballard County, Kentucky

Narrative

Children of William T Reeves and Jennie Thomas are:

1. Sally T. Reeves, b. 4 Jun 1883 Ballard County, Kentucky, d. 9 Mar 1884 Ballard County, Kentucky
2. George Willis Reeves, b. 31 Mar 1884 Kentucky, d. 9 Jul 1915 Pocatello, Idaho
3. Charles R. Reeves, b. Jun 1887 Idaho
4. Ellen G. Reeves, b. Dec 1890 Idaho
5. Mae Reeves, b. Oct 1892 Idaho
6. Simrell Reeves, b. Dec 1895 Idaho
7. William T. Reeves, Jr., b. Dec 1897 Idaho
8. Lillian Reeves, b. 6 Mar 1902 Idaho, d. 27 Jul 1989, California, m. Brockwell

(This biography has numerous flaws and incorrect statements regarding prior family history but is worth including for the information specific to William T. Reeves and his family.)

Biography of William T. Reeves
Source: Progressive Men of Bannock, Bear Lake, Bingham, Fremont and Oneida counties ... By A.W. Bowen & Co., pg 505-509

For nearly twenty years one of the prominent attorneys and leaders of the Democratic party of southeastern Idaho, having been the nominee of his party, not only for the office of district judge, but also, twice for the high position of attorney general of the state, the eloquent and talented gentleman whose name heads this review has been a very active factor in numerous fields of the development of the section of Idaho where he has maintained his home, ever standing in the front rank of the representative citizens of the state.

Descending from that solid Scotch-Irish stock which has formed such a valuable constituent element in the building up of the American republic, William T. Reeves was born at Kinkleville, (sic Hinkleville) Ky., on January 21, 1855, being the son of William H. H. and Penelope B. (White) Reeves, the father a native of Richmond, Va. (sic), and the son of George Reeves, an emigrant (sic) from the north of Ireland to the Old Dominion, while the mother had her nativity in Tennessee. George Reeves brought his family and made his home in Kentucky, where he and his wife, as well as their children, long maintained their residence as useful and beneficial and prosperous citizens. Here also the parents of Judge Reeves passed their lives of intelligent endeavor and passed to the silent land, the father accomplishing seventy-eight years of life and the mother sixty-one.

The literary education of Judge Reeves was acquired at the Kentucky schools, supplemented by attendance at the excellent college located at Blandville, in that state, where also he engaged in the diligent study of law under the competent tutelage of an older brother, who was there established as a lawyer of no mean ability. In 1875 he was admitted to practice in his native state, and for ten years there won credit and honors as an energetic, brilliant and successful practitioner in the courts.

In 1885 he removed to Idaho, where, at the then brisk railroad town of Eagle Rock, he established himself as an attorney, but was soon induced to change his residence and office to Blackfoot, the county-seat of the large county of Bingham. His personal qualities and his knowledge of the law soon brought him acquaintanceship and friends among the ablest professional men of the state and ten years of active life at Blackfoot caused him to stand as one of the prominent and truly progressive men of the entire state. He became one of the relied-upon campaigners of the Democratic party of the state, and in many successive campaigns he did highly effective work, not only in counsel but as a forceful speaker on the rostrum and on the "stump." Removing to Boise from Blackfoot. he there added largely to the high reputation he had previously gained, then removed to Pocatello, where he has since been located, having a valuable practice of a highly representative character and acquiring property of intrinsic worth.

A natural .student of law. Judge Reeves goes to the bottom of all cases he undertakes, building up a solid array of precedents and authorities difficult for an opponent to overthrow, and presenting them to the court in well-linked arguments, made entertaining by flashes of wit and humor. As a counsellor he discourages litigation unless his client has a cause founded in equity as well as technicalities of law, unswerving integrity and effective ability being marked characteristics of his nature.

Broad and tolerant in his views of life, he has won a large number of warm personal friends, while in brotherhood circles he has for years stood high in the fraternal society of Odd Fellows. His life has been well spent. He has met every obligation that has devolved upon him, has honestly and faithfully performed every trust, whether of a public, private or professional character, and by his fidelity to principle has commanded universal commendation and respect. Such men are ever valuable citizens and the promoters of the advancement and weal of the state.

The marriage relations of the Judge have been most felicitous. His wife was in maidenhood a Miss Jennie T. Thomas, also a native of Kentucky, and to their home of culture and refinement have come the following children: George W., Charles R., Ellen G., Mae, Simrell and William T., Jr.

Sources

1880 Census - Blandville, Ballard County, Kentucky
1900 Census - Salmon, Lemhi County, Idaho
1910 Census - Pocatello Ward 3, Bannock County, Idaho (HOH Jennie Reeves)
Kentucky, U.S., Marriage Records, 1852-1914, online at Ancestry.com