Bio of REES, John M., Hennepin Co., MN
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EXTRACTED FROM: History of Minneapolis, Gateway to the Northwest; 
Chicago-Minneapolis, The S J Clarke Publishing Co, 1923; Edited by: Rev. 
Marion Daniel Shutter, D.D., LL.D.; Volume I - Shutter (Historical); 
volume II - Biographical; volume III - Biographical
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Vol III, pg 423-424
JOHN M. REES
A man of high intellectual attainments who has risen to a prominent place at the
Minneapolis bar is John M. Rees. He was born in Indiana and is descended from an
old Welsh family. When a mere lad Mr. Rees felt the necessity of contributing to
the support of the family, his father being compelled to retire from active
business life because of failing health, the result of exposure and hardships
suffered during the Civil war. Leaving school, John M. Rees secured a job
carrying water on a railroad section, at fifty cents a day. At the age of
fifteen years he was promoted to the position of section hand, receiving for his
labors one dollar and twenty-five cents per day. The station agent took a
friendly interest in him and allowed him to learn telegraphy in his spare time.
When he was eighteen years of age he was night operator on the road and during
the day he formed a habit of going into court, listening attentively to the many
cases being tried. He soon decided to make law his life work and subsequently
purchased books, studying diligently. In 1883 he was admitted to the bar and
began practice in Indiana, where he remained until 1884, when he came to
Minneapolis. For seven years he was associated with Judge John Steele in the
practice of law and since the termination of that partnership he has practiced
independently. Mr. Rees finds his greatest recreation in reading and studying
the old philosophers and he is a constant student of Socrates, Epictetus,
Seneca, St. Paul and Lord Bacon. Among America's constructive intellects he
places John W. Draper first and he has read so much of sound philosophy that he
has become a philosopher himself. He considers his greatest friends the
philosophers herein named and his favorite occupation is visiting with them in
his room.
Fraternally Mr. Rees is identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks
and he belongs to the Minneapolis Athletic Club. As a member of the Old
Commercial Club he is prominent in the furtherance of every movement for the
improvement of the city. Mr. Rees well merits the success he has achieved and
his life stands as a splendid example of what may be attained when laudable
ambition and stanch determination lead the way.