Part of the Indiana Biographies Project
James E. Reeves
One of the most prominent and respected citizens of Richmond is James E. Reeves, a man whose history furnishes a splendid example of what may be accomplished through determined purpose, laudable ambition and well directed efforts. Starting out in life a poor boy, he has steadily worked his way upward, gaining success and winning the public confidence. For thirty-six years he has occupied the position of president of the First National Bank of Richmond, but at the age of fifteen he was occupying a humble clerkship in a small store.
He was born November 27, 1814, in the village of Berkley, Gloucester county, New Jersey, which was also the birthplace of his parents, Mark and Ann (Ewan) Reeves, who in 1823 came to Richmond with their family, consisting of two sons and two daughters. The father was a carpenter by trade, and was one of the pioneer contractors and builders of this section of the state. He died in 1855, and his wife passed away in 1842.
James E. Reeves was only nine years of age. when he came with the family to Richmond. The school system of the county had not been formulated, but he received such educational privileges as the neighborhood afforded, and experience and observation have given him that practical knowledge without which there is no success in the business world. At the age of fifteen, being ambitious to provide for his own maintenance, he secured a clerkship in the first drug store ever established in Richmond, then the property of Dr. James R. Mendenhall. (It was established by Dr. Morrison and Dr. Warner.) He remained with him for a year, then went to Liberty, Indiana, as a salesman in the employ of Dr. Mendenhall, who had opened a dry-goods store at that place. A year later he accepted a position in a store opened by his brother, Mark E. Reeves, who began operations on a small scale in Washington, now Green's Fork, Wayne county, conducting a general store, in which James E. Reeves was employed as a salesman for eight years. On the expiration of that period the brothers formed a partnership under the firm name of M. E. & J. E. Reeves, conducting a general store in Washington for three years, when the junior partner returned to Richmond and opened a general store here, successfully conducting the enterprise from February, 1840, until 1848. During this time he also established a cotton factory north of Richmond, and for two years he engaged in the manufacture of cotton yarns and batting. In 1848 he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he became a wholesale dealer in boots and shoes, hats and caps and straw goods. After a year he admitted his brother, Mark E., to a partnership in the business, and when another year had passed they were joined by Isaac Stephens, under the firm name of Reeves, Stephens & Company, a partnership which was continued until 1855, when our subject's health failed him and he returned to Richmond.
Here he purchased one hundred acres of land on the west side of the river from Robert Morrison and engaged in farming for eight years, finding in the outdoor pursuits just what he needed to restore his health and strength. In 1863 he took up his residence in the city and in connection with his brother Mark established the First National Bank of Richmond, this being the seventeenth national bank established in the United States and the second in Indiana, the other having been founded in Fort Wayne. It was originally capitalized for two hundred thousand dollars. He was elected president, the doors were opened for business June 15, 1863, and since that time James E. Reeves has continued at the head of the institution, which has had a pros¬perous existence of thirty-six years. During the financial panics when other banks have failed, it has never been forced to suspend for a single day, but has followed a wise and conservative business policy which has made it one of the strongest and most reliable financial institutions in this part of the state. Its success is largely due to the capable management, splendid executive ability, untiring efforts and firm purpose of Mr. Reeves, whose reputation in commercial circles is above question and whose word is as good as any bond that was ever solemnized by signature or seal.
Other business interests have also claimed his attention and have been promoted through his ability. He is president of the Champion Roller Milling Company, aided in its organization, and its business is now the largest of the kind in eastern Indiana. He is connected with the Richmond City Mill Works, was one of the directors for a number of years and throughout his active business career has been most faithful to the ethics of commercial life, meeting fully every obligation and dealing most fairly and honorably at all times.
Mr. Reeves has been twice married. On the 18th of August, 1842, he wedded Isabella Cornell, of Philadelphia, and to them were born three children: James F., a well-known business man of Richmond; Isabella May, deceased; and one who died in infancy. The mother died in 1862, and Mr. Reeves was again married in April, 1863, his second union being with Mrs. Hannah More Ireland, nee Peters, of Illinois. They have two children. The elder, William Peters Reeves, Ph. D., a graduate of Johns Hopkins University, at Baltimore, Maryland, now occupies the chair of English literature in the University of Iowa, at Iowa City, and is a most able young man of high scholarly attainments and superior mental endowments, whose future will undoubtedly be a brilliant and successful one. Jesse Siddall, the younger son, is also a graduate of the Johns Hopkins University, has won the Ph. D. degree, and is now an enterprising young attorney of Richmond and United States commissioner.
In early life Mr. Reeves gave his political support to the men and measures of the Whig party, and on the organization of the Republican party joined its ranks. His first presidential vote was cast for William Henry Harrison, in 1836. He has served as a member of the city council of Richmond, but has never been an aspirant for office. He was one of the three trustees appointed by Robert Morrison, deceased, to effect the purchase of what is now known as the Morrison-Reeves library. This is one of the best libraries in the state, creditable to the city and an enduring monument to its founders. In 1865 he was appointed by Governor Morton treasurer of the Indiana Agricultural College, now Purdue University, and served during the preliminary organization. Early in the '70s he was the receiver for the Cincinnati & Fort Wayne Railway Company. Mr. Reeves has long been actively interested in all that pertains to the general welfare and advancement of his city, and has also aided many movements for the amelioration of human suffering. He is rather reserved in manner, dignified and entirely unostentatious, yet at all times kindly and courteous, possessing those instinctive traits of culture and worth which in every land and clime command respect. His friends have the highest appreciation of his many excellent qualities, and all esteem him for a life over which there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil.
Source:
Biographical and Genealogical History of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin Counties, Indiana, Volume 1, The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, 1899