Reeves, Willis Long, Jr.

Summary

Father: Willis Long Reeves
Mother: Caroline M. Wilson

Birth: 6 Sep 1841, Todd County, Kentucky
Birth Source: Gravestone

Death: 25 May 1904, Dawson Springs, Hopkins County, Kentucky
Death Source: Gravestone in Glenwood Cemetery, Elkton

Spouse1: Elizabeth Christine "Lizzie" Weathers, m. 1 Mar 1877

Narrative

Children of Willis Long Reeves, Jr. and Elizabeth C. Weathers:

1. Roxie Reeves, b. 1880
2. Carrie Reeves, b. 1882

An interesting editorial from the Stanford, Kentucky Interior Journal in 1894 regarding Judge Willis Long Reeves reelection is transcribed at the Reeves, Reaves and More Rives blog. Read the humorous editorial.

"Obituary Record of Graduates of Yale University Deceased during the Academical Year ending in June, 1905" (obtained from http://mssa.library.yale.edu/obituary_record/1859_1924/1904-05.pdf):

WILLIS LONG REEVES, son of Willis Long Reeves, a farmer and for a number of years Clerk of the Circuit and County Court of Todd County, Ky., was born at Elkton in that county, September 6, 1841. His mother's name was Caroline (Wilson) Reeves. He was prepared for college at Green River Academy, Elkton, but did not join the class until the beginning of Junior year.

After graduation he returned to his native place, and since then had lived on a six hundred acre farm near there. He was also part proprietor of the flouring mill of Reeves & Bradshaw. He was a democratic member of the State Legislature for two terms (1871 to 1873), Attorney of the Louisville & Nashville Railroad for many years following, Master Commissioner of Todd County Circuit Court from 1880 to 1886, Circuit Judge of the Fifth Judicial District of Kentucky from September of the latter year to January, 1893, and held the same office in the Seventh Judicial District for five years thereafter. He was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and Treasurer of the General Assembly of this church for a number of years.

Judge Reeves died at Dawson Springs, Hopkins County, Ky., May 25, 190, in the 63d year of his age.

He married, March 1, 1877, Elizabeth Christine, daughter of Thornton Weathers, a farmer residing near Cox's Creek, Nelson County, Ky., and had two daughters, the younger of whom graduated at Oxford College, O., in 1903. Mrs. Reeves died in August, 1903.

Obituary Record: Owensboro (KY) Messenger 26 May 1904:
"Distinguished Jurist, Dies After Long Illness, at Dawson Springs.

Elkton, Ky., May 25.--A telephone message was received from Dawson Springs this morning stating that Judge W.L. Reeves, of this city, died at that place at 2 o'clock. He had been at Dawson several weeks for his health.

Judge Reeves was recognized as one of the most able lawyers in Kentucky. For twelve years he was circuit judge of Todd, Logan, Simpson, and Muhlenberg. He leaves two daughters, Mrs. W.H. Rudy and Mrs. Caroline Reeves.

Judge Reeves was an uncle of Mr. John Reeves, and a first cousin of Mrs. C.N. Pendleton, both of this city. Judge Reeves was well known in Owensboro, and was here during the last term of federal court."

Obituary Record From The Owensboro Inquirer 26 May 1904

"In the death of Judge Willis Reeves of Elkton, Kentucky loses one of her best and ablest sons. He had served as circuit for twelve years and made a most enviable record on the bench. In 1884 he was nominated for judge of the court of appeals and was defeated by Judge B. L. D. Guffy because his friends refused for believe that Judge Guffy could make any sort of race, and besides there were strong hints of Democratic treachery in certain places. He would have graced the appellate bench as he did every other position that he held in life."