Henry County AlArchives Biographies.....Reynolds, Robert J. 1846 - living in 1893
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Ann Anderson alabammygrammy@aol.com May 27, 2004, 2:23 pm

Author: Brant & Fuller (1893)
   ROBERT J. REYNOLDS, one of the most prominent farmers of Henry county, Ala.,
was born in Twiggs county, Ga., in 1846. He was the third son of C. J. Reynolds,
who was born in Twiggs county, and grew to man hood as a farmer boy, receiving
his education at the country schools, and was married at Crawford county, Ga.,
to Miss M. E. Jordan. He removed to Alabama in 1852, settling in Henry county,
near the present home place, and became one of the best known planters of Henry
county. He was a successful planter, and a large slaveholder before the war. He
was regarded as a man of superior judgment, and his opinion was sought on
various subjects from far and near. In 1861, he was elected to the lower house
of the legislature, and represented his county in that body two years. He also
served for many years as justice of the peace. He was also judge of the inferior
court for several years. He began life for himself at the age of seven years,
and by his own industry and well directed efforts became one of the prominent
men of his day. His death occurred in August, 1888. His wife was born in Warren
county, Ga., in 1820; grew to womanhood in Crawford county, Ga., and was married
in her twenty-first year. She was the mother of seven children, five of whom
reached maturity, and four of whom survive. Early in life she united with the
Missionary Baptist church, and in *connection with that church lived the rest of
her days, dying in December, 1890. Robert J. Reynolds, when eleven months old,
was taken by his parents to Crawford county, Ga., where he remained until 1852,
when he removed with them to Alabama, where they settled on the farm which he
now owns, within one mile of his present elegant home. There he passed his
childhood days, and secured his education in a country school near his father's
farm, known as the Gopher Hill school. But being of a strong and robust
constitution, he was kept busy on the farm, and was made an overseer in his
twelfth year. He continued this employment until he was fifteen years old, and
then ran away from home to enlist in the Confederate service. He joined the
regiment commanded by Col. William C. Oates, at Ledbetter's store, but was
rejected on account of his extreme youth. Nothing daunted by this rejection, he
promptly ran away again, went to Franklin, Va., and enlisted in the Irwin
Invincibles, under Ex-Gov. Wise. This was in July, 1861. Later he became a
member of Wise's legion. Soon after his enlistment he was prostrated by an
attack of measles, which resulted in a long spell of typhoid fever. He was taken
home a mere skeleton in December, 1861, and remained there until May, 1862,
when, having recovered, he again left home for the scenes of battle. He enlisted
this time in the Thirty-seventh Alabama infantry, and was assigned to the army
of the Tennessee, and participated in the battles of Hood's campaign. He was
severely wounded July 28, 1864, and was brought home on a swinging litter. At
the end of three months he rejoined his command and remained in the field until
the surrender. He was honorably discharged May 2, 1865, at Greensboro, N. C. He
then returned home, but being of a restless disposition, he determined to seek
out some business for himself. He took a trip in the surrounding counties with a
view of purchasing some land, but on his returning home his father presented him
with 440 acres of farming land, which he accepted, and built him a house where
his present house stands. Then he built in the timber; now his house is
surrounded with cleared fields covered with growing grain and fruit. He began
farming at that time, has followed it ever since, and has added to his gift of
land until he now owns one of the largest farms in Henry county, and is
considered one of the leading farmers in that part of the state. He was married
December 17, 1867, to Miss Missouri Rice, daughter of Benjamin Rice, a native of
Georgia, a farmer of note, and a member of the constitutional convention. His
death occurred in 1865, and was the result of an accidental shooting. The wife
of Mr. Reynolds was born September 27, 1845, in Randolph county, Ga., and grew
to womanhood in her native state. She had every scholastic advantage and
graduated at the Cuthbert Female college, Cuthbert, Ga. She was married in her
twenty-first year, and has no children, but she and her husband have adopted two
children, Ida S. and Carl G. Mrs. Reynolds early in life united with the
Missionary Baptist church, and still retains her membership. She is a lady of
culture and refinement, and makes her home a model of comfort and neatness,
surrounded as it is by a paradise of flowers and fruit. Mr. Reynolds is one of
the largest land owners in Henry county, owning some 7,000 acres of land. He is
also one of the largest cotton producers, keeping thirty-five plows going, and
has one of the finest residences in this portion of the county. He has an
abundance of fruit, cereals, and everything that can be needed in a well
regulated southern home, and on a well managed plantation, and his farm-yard is
well stocked with numerous varieties of chickens, turkeys, and stately peacocks.
He dispenses with a liberal hand to the many poor dependent upon him for their
daily bread. He built a school house, hired and paid the teacher and paid the
entire expenses of the school for eight terms. He has always taken an active
part in politics and maintains the principles which he thinks are correct,
against all opposition. He was elected, in 1878, to the legislature, serving one
term, and he was again elected in 1882. He was instrumental in the passage of
several bills advantageous to the farming interests of Henry county. He was
announced as a candidate for the state senate, in 1892, for the twenty-third
district, but was beaten by the third party. Although a member of the farmers'
alliance, he would not support the principles of the alliance platform, as they
were in his opinion undemocratic. Near his home he has erected a well equipped
grist and saw mill, and cotton gin, all run by steam. He has pursued methods
through life that have placed him on a high plane of citizenship, and having his
barns well filled with everything necessary, he extends a hospitable welcome to
all who seek a shelter under his roof. In conversation he is extremely
interesting, relating reminiscences of earlier days with a liveliness and
vivacity seldom surpassed. He is well known all over southeastern Alabama as a
model man in every respect.



Additional Comments:
from "Memorial Record of Alabama", Vol. I, p. 1115-1117
Published by
Brant & Fuller (1893)
Madison, WI

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