My Genealogy Hound

THOMAS REYNOLDS (deceased), late of Reynoldton, this county, was born in County Derry, Ireland, Aug. 22, 1806, and was descended from the Reynoldses of Cornwall. England. He was a son of George and Isabella (Leslie) Reynolds, Presbyterians, former of whom was a farmer, and died in Ireland. In 1836 Thomas Reynolds, with his mother, three brothers and two sisters, came to Pittsburgh, Pa., and, three years later, Thomas, with his mother and two sisters, went to New Lisbon, Ohio. Here Thomas, in partnership with James Starr, engaged in the manufacture of thrashing-machines, fanmills and general farm implements, until 1848, when he purchased a large tract of land where Reynoldton, this county, now is, and which town he founded. He was a natural mechanic, and a man of more than ordinary ability. He was a great reader, plain and unassuming in his manner, one who made hosts of friends, and enjoyed the confidence and respect of all. He was a member of the M. E. Church; was elected justice of the peace of his township, but never sought office. He died in November, 1887. In 1874 he sent for his nephew, Thomas Reynolds, Jr., to assist him in his business, and in 1882 conveyed all his land to his nephew.

Thomas Reynolds, Jr., was born in Galena, Ill., Jan. 29, 1854, son of Robert and Martha J. (Pugh) Reynolds, the former of whom was born in County Derry, Ireland, and the latter in Virginia. They are members of the Disciples’ Church. Soon after coming to Pittsburgh from Ireland, Robert Reynolds went to New Orleans, thence to Davenport, Iowa, thence to Galena, Ill., where he engaged in the manufacture of brick. In 1869 he moved to Missouri, where he carried on farming until 1882, in which year he came to McKeesport, where he and his wife still reside. Mr. Robert Reynolds is president and half owner of the McKeesport and Youghiogheny bridge and owner of real estate. Thomas Reynolds, Jr., laid out the town of Reynoldton, and was the first burgess. It was he who suggested the building of the McKeesport and Youghiogheny bridge, in the construction of which he was the principal mover, and was president of the bridge company and chief stockholder until April, 1888. He is still a stockholder in the bridge company, stockholder and director in the People’s Bank, McKeesport Gas company, and McKeesport Light company; he is school director and councilman of Reynoldton, and is a member of the M. E. Church. Mr. Reynolds was united in marriage, Oct. 4, 1888, with Miss Anna B. Woods, a native of McKeesport, daughter of Theodore Woods, civil engineer and a prominent business-man of McKeesport.