An Illustrated History of the State of Washington, by Rev. H.K. Hines, D.D., The
Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, IL., 1893

WILLIAM H. REEVES, one of Seattle's enterprising citizens, was born in Greene
county, Pennsylvania, in June, 1835, the oldest son of Morgan and Hannah
(Barclay) Reeves, natives of the same State, their ancestors having settled
there prior to the Revolutionary war, and having been stanch supporters of the
interests of the young colonies. William H. received his preparatory education
in his native county, then entered Jefferson College in Washington county, later
known as Washington and Jefferson College and graduated there in 1857. This
college was the oldest Presbyterian College west of the Allegheny mountains and
was the alma mater of Hon. James G. Blaine and other gentlemen who attained
national reputation. After graduating young Reeves went to Louisiana and spent
one year in teaching school in East Feliciana Parish. Within this time he began
reading law. In 1858 he went into Texas and taught near Austin for one year,
then removed to Matagorda county, where he continued teaching and reading law,
and became concerned in loans and investments and identified with the people. He
was thus engaged when the war broke out, his residence being with Colonel
Rugeby, a prominent sugar grower and planter. Not anticipating a serious war,
and wishing to stand by his investments, Mr. Reeves remained in the country up
to 1862, when the people became suspicions of him and he felt it was time that
he started for the North to avoid being impressed into the Confederate service.
Owning a line thorough-bred horse, one of the best in the county, he
surreptitiously stole away and started upon his perilous journey, when any
moment might mean death. Yet he held even that as preferable to entering a
conflict in which his father and brothers might be in line upon the Federal
side, he soon found companions bent upon a similar effort, and, without going
into detail, suffice it to say that after three months in the saddle -
undergoing all sorts of dangers and experiences, through which his fearlessness
and quickness of speech carried him safely - he ultimately crossed the Federal
lines and returned to his family and friends in Pennsylvania, appearing to them
as though restored from the dead. Shortly after he went to Cincinnati and
secured a clerkship in a general merchandise store, and there remained in
positions of trust and responsibility up to 1866,when the death of his father
took him back to the family. After settling the estate, he removed the family to
Page county, Iowa, and there established the members upon a farm. After getting
them properly located, in 1866, Mr. Reeves started for California. The Indian
troubles that year prevented his making the trip overland, so he went to New
York and thence by steamer and the Panama route, arriving in San Francisco in
June of the same year. Desiring to nourish his scanty cash capital, teaching
seemed to him the first occupation to pursue. Fortunately the State Board of
Education was then in session, and to them he applied, and though rusty in his
studies from long cessation from teaching, he passed the ordeal and rather to
his own surprise received a first-grade certificate. The examination of teachers
was followed by a ball and there Mr. Reeves met Miss Lucy Baldwin, of New York.
With the lapse of time this acquaintance ripened into love and they were united
in marriage in 1870. Mr. Reeves began teaching in 1868 in Greene valley, Solano
county, and continued until 1870; then after his marriage he, in company with
his wife, took a sailing vessel for Puget Sound, and, after a trip of eleven
days, landed at Port Madison, whence upon a little steamer, they crossed to
Seattle, where they arrived in February, 1870, the city then having about 2,000
inhabitants. Leaving his wife at the hotel, Mr. Reeves started out to see the
town, finding little but "Indians, trees, and water." He wished to leave the
country, but his wife didn't care to return by sailing vessel, and learning of
the fine farming land on Snohomish river bottoms, Mr. Reeves went there and
entered a claim upon which he subsequently proved up. A flood during the first
year drowned his cattle and destroyed improvements; still he persisted and
remained until 1870, when, with his family, he went East and passed one year.
Returning to the territory in 1877 the farm seemed too quiet and he located in
Seattle. There he formed the acquaintance of Angus Mackintosh, and shortly after
Mr. Reeves purchased one-half interest in his abstract business, his being at
that time the only abstract books in King county. During the first five years
not a dollar was taken out of the business, but by the increase of funds a
loaning business was commenced and the private banking house of Mackintosh &
Reeves was established. The business increased so rapidly that in 1881 they sold
the abstract books, and in 1883 incorporated the Merchants' National Bank, since
which time Mr. Reeves has continued as stockholder and director. He then retired
from active business and has, since been engaged in loaning his money and
attending to his private interests. Mr. and Mrs. Reeves have three children:
William H., Jr., Minnie H. and Jessie M. The children are all being educated at
Stanford University in California. Mr. Reeves is a member of no fraternal
societies or political coteries, but, being very happy in his domestic ties, is
devoting his life to the maintenance and happiness of his dear ones. He is a man
of genial disposition, keen foresight and good judgment; is a kind friend,
beloved by his family and respected by all who know him.

Submitted to the WA. Bios Project in January 2004 by Jeffrey L. Elmer

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Notice: These biographies were transcribed for the Washington Biographies
Project. Unless otherwise stated, no further information is available on the
individual featured in the biographies.