My Genealogy Hound

JOHN H. REYNOLDS, a farmer occupying one hundred and sixty-eight acres on section 3, Degognia Township, Jackson County, was born in St. Louis July 9, 1838. He is the eldest of four children born to the union of Robert and Melinda (Evans) Reynolds, natives of Kentucky. His father dying in 1846, his mother was afterward married to Thomas Yearsley, and by that union had two children, a son and a daughter. John secured his education in the schools of St. Louis, and was one of the first pupils in the high school when it was organized under the superintendence of J. D. Low.

At the age of sixteen Mr. Reynolds entered the carriage shop of John D. McAuliff and learned the trade of a carriage blacksmith. Remaining there until the outbreak of the Rebellion, he then secured a position in the Quartermaster’s Department, in which he worked at his trade in repairing ambulances, etc. After spending some four months in Corinth, Miss., he returned to the north to take charge of his mother’s farm, her husband having died. He purchased land in Bradley Township, Jackson County, and resided there most of the time for the succeeding sixteen years.

Between that time and the date of coming to his present holding, Mr. Reynolds worked at his trade and also established a carriage factory in Red Bud. As soon as completed, he disposed of his interest to John Roscoe and returned to Jackson County. A brother, who owned a farm on section 3, Degognia Township, died in 1874, and while serving as administrator of the estate our subject bought out the interest of the other heirs and has since operated the farm, making it his home. Upon this place excellent buildings have been erected and various fine improvements made, which stamp it as the abode of one who has prospered in worldly affairs and possesses good judgment in investments and enterprises.

May 19, 1892, Mr. Reynolds was united in marriage with Mrs. Margaret M. Plant, daughter of Jesse and Sallie (Segall) Shepard. Mrs. Reynolds is the mother of a son, John W. Diamond, by her first husband. In politics Mr. Reynolds has always been a stanch advocate of Democratic principles. He has served as School Trustee and has been solicited frequently to accept the nomination for other offices, but has persistently refused, preferring to give his entire time and attention to his farming interests. Public spirited, interested in all movements which promise to add to the prosperity and happiness of his fellow-citizens, he may well be looked upon as an excellent representative of true manhood and good citizenship.