Job Reynolds

HUBBARD, ANDREWS, NORTHRUP, ANDREW, MAYNARD

Posted By: Donna Moldt Walker (email)
Date: 2/20/2004 at 22:57:37

Job Reynolds, capitalist, Maquoketa, occupies a prominent position in the financial circles of Jackson County. Since taking up his residence in this city, by judicious investment of his money he has extended its interests and has given an added impetus to its growth. He is a native of the State of New York, the town of Greenwhich, in Washington County, being his birthplace. His father, Schuyler Reyolds, was born in the same town, and his father, Job Reynolds, is supposed to have been a native of that town also. The father of the latter, Jonathan Reynolds, great-grandfather of our subject, was born in Rhode Island, and was a pioneer of Washington County. He bought a tract of wild land in the town of Greenwhich, and cleared quite a large farm from the primeval forests of that vicinity, and there he died at the venerable age of ninety-three years. He was one of the patriots who took part in the Revolutionary War. His son, grandfather of our subject, was reared on the old homestead in his native town, and there passed his entire life, he dying at the age of fifty-one. He was bred to the life of a farmer, and was always engaged in that calling.

The father of our subject was reared to man's estate in that old home which had been the place of his birth, and he then started out in life for himself; but after enaging in the mercantile business a short time, he turned his attention to farming again on the old homestead. In 1839 he removed to Niagara County, N.Y., and, buying a tract of land, engaged in its cultivation and in raising fruit. In 1853 he visited Iowa for the purpose of investing some of his capital in real estate, and he bought wild prairie land in Cedar and Linn counties, but never settled in either place, continuing his residence in Niagara County. As early as 1856 he visited Clinton County, in this State, and bought land in Brookfield Township, and in 1860, selling most of his property in New York, he came here and settled in Brookfield Township, remaining there until 1872. In that year he moved to Maquoketa, and, investing extensively in real estate, made his home here until his death. For two or three years he was interested in the grocery business; but aside from that he was engaged in looking after his real estate and in loaning money. His death, in August, 1879, was a severe blow to the financial interests of the city. He was a man of quick, keen judgment, and of sound discretion, and his standing in the business world was of the highest. The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Mabel Hubbard, and she was born in the village of Ft. Miller, Washington Co., N.Y. Her father, Hezekiah Hubbard, was a native of Hadley, Mass., who removed from that State to New York, and became a pioneer of Washington County. He was a carpenter, and followed that trade many years. He finally removed to Erie County, Ohio, with some of his children, and died there when nearly ninety years old. The maiden name of his wife was Tamison Andrews, and she was also a native of the old Bay State. The mother of our subject died in Lockport, N.Y., in 1884.

The subject of this biographical sketch was a boy of nine years when his parents took up their residence in Niagara County, and there he was reared on a farm, and gleaned his education in the public schools. As soon as large enough he commenced to assist his father in his agricultural pursuits, and remained an inmate of the parental household until after his marriage, and continued his residence in Niagara County until 1872. In that year he came with his family to Iowa, and settled on his father's farm in Clinton County, living there until 1880. He then came to Maquoketa, and the same year began the erection of his present handsome residence, one of the finest in Iowa. It is beautifully located on South Summit street, in the southwestern part of the city. It is a large brick house, of a modern style of architecture, heated by steam, and elegantly and tastefully furnished; its extensive grounds, comprising twenty-seven acres, are finely laid out, and the whole comprises one of the most charming and attractive places to be seen here or elsewhere.

Mr. Reynolds has been twice married. His first marriage took place in October, 1856, to Miss Rosanna Northrup, a native of Vermont. Their happy wedded life was brief, the young wife dying in August, 1859, leaving one child, Charles H. Mr. Reynold's marriage to his present wife was solemnized in JunE, 1865, and to them have been born five children - Anna, Edith, Frank, Job, and Florence. Mrs. Reynolds is a native of Chautauqua County, N.Y., and a daughter of John and Charity (Andrew) Maynard.

Our subject is a man of superior ability, of large enterprise, and marked discernment, and, as a citizen of broad views and great public spirit, he is making good use of his wealth, partly inherited, partly acquired, in the interests of his adopted city, and his hand is seen in every feasible scheme for its improvement, and in all good works for its social and moral elevation. He and his wife are attendants at the Episcopal Church. In politics, he is a firm advocate of the principles promulaged by the Democratic party.

("Portrait and Biographical Album of Jackson County, Iowa", originally published in 1889, by the Chapman Brothers, of Chicago, Illinois)