Biographical History of Pottawattmie Co., IA

OLUMBUS REYNOLDS is another on of the enterprising and successful men of Pottawattamie County. A brief outline of his life is herewith given.

Mr. Reynolds is a native of North Carolina, born near Sparta, the county-seat of Alleghany County, November 12, 1848. His father, Willson Reynolds, and his grandfather, Thomas Reynolds, were both natives of that State. His mother, nee Nancy Spurling
was born in North Carolina, as also was her father, William Spurling. Her grandfather Spurling was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Willson and Nancy Reynolds reared five children, four sons and one daughter: Columbus is the only one in Iowa; the oldest brother resides in Nebraska; two are in North Carolina; and the sister died in that State. Willson Reynolds was a farmer all his life, and his death occurred at the age of seventy years. His wife was a devoted Christian and a member of the Baptist Church. She died at the age of sixty-eight.

The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm, and in early life was taught those lessons of honesty, industry and economy which have been so useful to him in after life. His early educational advantages were limited, but by reading, observation and by the practical knowledge learned in the school of experience he has amply supplied the deficiency of an early education. At the age of nineteen he bade adieu to his native State and started out in the world to make a home and a fortune. He located in Whiteside County, Illinois, and after remaining there a year he came to Iowa, and worked on a farm in Hardin County a year. In 1868 he came to Grove Township, Pottawattamie County, and first worked by the month. Then he broke prairie for two seasons, which at that time was profitable business. In 1874 he bought eight acres of raw prairie land, on which he now resides. He broke it the same season, and has made many improvements on the place. He built a comfortable story-and-a-half house, at a cost of $1,200; planted shade and ornamental trees, a grove and an orchard; built a good barn and fenced his land. From time to time he purchased other lands until at this writing (1890) he is the owner of 240 acres. One hundred and sixty acres are in a body in section 17 and 18. The other eighty acres, which he uses as a pasture for his stock, are a half mile northwest from his home. He is engaged in general farming and stock-raising, feeding all the corn he raises to his stock and frequently buying more from his neighbors.

Mr. Reynolds was married, September 16, 1872, at Red Oak, Iowa, to Miss Sarah E. Wilson, a lady of culture and refinements and a successful teacher. She was born in Sullivan County, Indiana, and was reared and educated in Lee County, Iowa. Her parents, William and Anna (Pemberton) Wilson, the former a native of North Carolina and the latter of Ohio, now reside in Nebraska. Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds have four children, viz.: Rosalie, Laura Jane, Anna Ethel and Isom Guy. Mr. Reynolds is a Republican and cast his first vote for General Grant. He and his wife are worthy members of the Christian Church, and take an active part in religious and educational matters. Mr. Reynolds is a member of the I. O. O. F., Lodge No. 444, Carson, Iowa. Mr. Reynolds lost a brother in the Southern army, and Mrs. Reynolds a brother in the Northern army.

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