Hull, Lindley M., compiler and editor.  "A History of Central Washington,
Including the Famous Wenatchee, Entiat, Chelan and the Columbia Valleys."
Spokane: Press of Shaw & Borden Co., 1929.  p. 220.
 
I. W. REEVES

     The subject of this sketch was born eighty odd years ago in the state of
Indiana, which was then in the early stage of development, thus it will be seen
that very early in life he began to march in the ranks of the American Pioneers.
When two or three years of age, he removed with his parents to Illinois, and in
the growing up period he met with the experience common to pioneer boys.  He was
still a boy when he answered the call of country for service in the Civil War,
enlisting June 4, 1861, in Company F 25th Illinois Infantry, and was sent to the
front the following September.  During his enlistment service he was in many
warm engagements such as Stone River, Missionary Ridge, and Chicamauga.  He was
mustered out in September, 1864, at Atlanta, Georgia, a short time before
Sherman began his famous march to the sea.  He returned to his home place in
Illinois and on July 28, the following year he was married to Miss Susan C.
German.  Three years later we find this young family, which included Frank on
its way to Kansas.  Mr. and Mrs. Reeves can relate some graphic stories of the
life of that historic commonwealth, which had been known as "bleeding Kansas"
and yet was to write some harrowing chapters as "starving Kansas" in its
struggle against grasshoppers and drouth.  Mr. Reeves followed farming five
years, and conducted a general mercantile store fifteen years.  In speaking of
his experience in this line, Mr. Reeves says:  'After the grasshoppers cleared
out for good, Kansas seemed to get hold of itself and moved forward.  Crops were
good.  Settlers were coming in growing numbers.  People were encouraged to think
that their worst troubles were over; and then came two years of drouth.  My
business had prospered but when that awful dry spell had ended I had joined the
army of the broke.'  Kansas is a good state, but at that time I thought it was a
good place to leave, and in 1888 I found myself in Spokane, and I drifted around
in Idaho, but finally landed in Wenatchee Valley.  I engaged in general
merchandise business for several years and then for a long time in orchard work.
From the first we prospered, each year putting us forward at least a little,
excepting 1912, when many fruit growers got a jolt.  But this country is all
right, and I am glad we are here."
     Mr. Reeves for many years served the community as Justice of Peace, and for
two terms beginning 1898 he held the position of mayor.  When asked what
particular incidents marked his administration, he laughed and said:  "Oh,
nothing very exciting.  You see the town was passing through lean years, and
consequently very little development took place.  I might say, however, that to
clear a section of North Wenatchee Avenue, in front of what is now the property
of the Wenatchee Produce Company of rocks reaching considerably higher than a
man's head, the mayor and members of the council turned in several days work
without pay, and thus made the street passable for traffic."
     Mr. Reeves in her own right is a true daughter of the West.  It may have
been ordained that she was to be a pioneer, for she is one of those faithful
workers who never yield to discouragement.  She has a high sense of her
obligation to her church and community; and with truth it may be said that
church and community owe much to her for good work accomplished.  In Wenatchee
is an institution of which the entire valley is proud, viz; the W. C. T. U., and
what it stands for.  The story of its creation and the fine building its members
erected is too long to be given here.  But for the untiring efforts of Mrs.
Reeves under every discouragement, it might not be in existence.  In 1915 Mr.
and Mrs. Reeves celebrated their golden wedding.  By these dates it will be seen
that they have traveled the highway of matrimony full sixty years.  In the
evening of life it is fitting that they should enjoy the fruits of their labor.
Mr. Reeves died September 27, 1928.
     
* * * *

Submitted to the WA. Bios Project in April 2006 by Diana Smith.

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.