Hillsborough County FlArchives Biographies.....Reaves, O. K. October 16, 1877 - 
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Nancy Rayburn http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00025.html#0006128 August 21, 2015, 3:00 am

Source: Vol. II  pg.51  The Lewis Publishing Co. 1923
Author: History of Florida, Past and Present     

        O. K. REAVES.  Possessed in marked degree of those qualities which
enable a man to serve with dignified capability upon the bench, it was no
surprise to the friends and fellow practitioners of Judge O. K. REAVES when he
was appointed to the circuit bench of the Sixth Judicial District of Florida.
During his six years occupancy of that exalted position he fully justified the
trust placed in him, and when at its close he settled permanently at Tampa, the
Bar Association of Hillsboro County recognized the important addition to its
numbers.
	Judge Reaves was born at Sarasota, Manatee County, Florida, October 16,
1877, a son of C. L. REAVES, who was born in Florida in 1847, and had the
misfortune to lose his father when he was very young. He is a farmer and fruit
grower living at Bradentown. His wife, who was born in Southern Georgia in
1852, also survives. They had two sons and two daughters, all of whom survive,
Judge Reaves being the eldest born.
	Growing up in his native county, Judge Reaves spent his boyhood in the 
woods, and acquired the fundamentals of an education in the public schools. 
Subsequently he attended Mossey’s Business College at Jacksonville, Florida,
and took his legal training in the law department of Stetson University, from
which he was graduated in 1903, with his degree of Bachelor of Laws.
Immediately thereafter he was admitted to the bar and began his professional
career at Bradentown. His keen grasp of the law, his understanding of its
principles and their application, and the skill with which he conducted his
cases brought him to the attention of the public, and when, in 1915, he was
appointed circuit judge of his district by the governor, universal satisfaction
was felt. He remained on the bench until July 1, 1921, and then returned to
practice and located at Tampa, forming a partnership with Mabry & Carlton,
under the firm style of Mabry, Reaves & Carlton, with offices on the fourth
floor of the Stovell Building. This is one of the strongest combinations in
Southwestern Florida, and the firm is connected with some of the most important
litigations in the state. Judge Reaves has always taken a very important part
in public affairs, served Bradentown as city attorney for some years, and
represented Manatee County in the State Assembly in 1911. Fraternally he
maintains membership with the Masonic order and the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows. He belongs to the Baptist Church, and has been very active in the work
of his denomination, and a member and president of its state organization.
	In 1909 Judge Reaves married MINNIE KAY, who was born in South 
Carolina, and they have a son, CHARLES K., who is eleven years old. While Judge 
Reaves was regarded as one of the best men on the bench, it is recognized that 
he is even more useful when engaged in the active practice of his profession, 
for his knowledge of the law, his relentless prosecution and his determined 
stand in matters affecting the masses render him invaluable as a lawyer, while 
his uprightness, his public spirited and local pride have developed in him a 
desire for service of the highest character, and his example is one which has 
great weight in his community.

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