My Genealogy Hound

Dr. M. V. Reece, of Erie, Mo., was born in Buncombe County, N. C., on July 4, 1842, and is one of a family of thirteen children of Elder William and Mary (Freeman) Reece, both of whom were natives of South Carolina, born in 1798 and 1800, respectively. The parents were married in 1823. The father died on May 1, 1863, and the mother in February, 1884. Their children are Thomas (deceased), Green H., Elizabeth (Mrs. William Carter), Edwin, Elsie (Mrs. A. J. Massey), William, Elisha, Moses (deceased), Susanna (deceased, who was the wife of E. H. Hensley), Levi, M. V., Mary (Mrs. Joseph Brown), and Patterson. Elder William Reece was a son of Thomas Reece, a Revolutionary soldier, and a native of, South Carolina, and Polly Smith, also a native of South Carolina, both of whom lived and died in their native State. Mary (Freeman) Reece was a daughter of Moses Freeman and a Miss Ball, both natives of South Carolina. Dr. M. V. Reece grew to manhood in his native county, and received only a common school education. When about twenty-three years of age he began studying medicine, first under the direction of Dr. Marion Roberts, and later under Dr. J. R. Reagan, of Buncombe County, N. C., and commenced practicing his profession in 1871. On February 4, 1866, he wedded Sophronia Patterson, a daughter of Rev. R. and Leah (Roberts) Patterson. After his marriage Dr. Reece located in his native State, and remained until 1871, when he came to Erie, McDonald Co., Mo. He purchased eighty acres of land on the banks of Indian Creek, where he resided ten years, engaged in practicing medicine and farming. During the summer of 1881 he sold his farm and moved into the town of Erie, where he purchased a stock of drugs. The following year he put in a stock of general merchandise in connection with his drugs, and has since been doing a good business. In 1882 he sold a half interest in his store to Joseph Price, but after one year Dr. Reece purchased the latter’s interest and managed the store alone until 1886, when he sold a half interest to Dr. Daniel Harmon. The firm has since been known as M. V. Reece & Co. Dr. Reece was appointed postmaster of Erie in 1882, and has since held the position. He is an ardent Republican and a member of the Masonic fraternity. In 1882 he enlisted in the Federal army, and served two years in the Army of the Cumberland, as sergeant in Company B, Second North Carolina Volunteers. To him and wife have been born nine children, viz.: William E. (deceased), Lillie D., Grace, Lulia, Robert M. (deceased), Lottie, Annie, Albert and Leah. The family are held in high esteem by all who know them. Dr. and Mrs. Reece and the two oldest daughters are members of the Missionary Baptist Church, and through his efforts, mainly, a Missionary Baptist Church was organized at Erie in 1886, and the church now numbers thirty-one members, and he with them has recently built a Baptist Church at Erie, Mo., and being a man of firm convictions he earnestly contends for the faith advocated by his brethren, believing that they possess the Bible characteristics of the church that Christ set up.