pgs 261-262
STEPHEN J. REYNOLDS. The subject of this sketch stands second to none among the energetic and progressive agriculturists of District No.6, Cecil County, whose record it has been deemed wise to preserve in this manner for the perusal of coming generations. As a judicious tiller of the soil he has met with success, and as a man and a citizen he holds a good position among his neighbors. He is the owner of eighty-seven acres of rich and arable land, a part of the old homestead, on which his birth occurred September 17. 1832. The father, Jacob Reynolds, was born May 8, 1791, in the house now owned and occupied by our subject, it having been erected by the grandfather. Throughout life Jacob Reynolds followed agricultural pursuits, and both he and his wife were consistent members ofthe Society of Friends. On attaining man's estate he married Miss Annie Moore, who was born August 31, 1793, and they became the parents of eleven children, as follows: William M., born August 27. 1814, died September 6, 1869; Mercy A., born May 29, 1816, died February 5, 1885; Esther. born May 9, 1819, died October28, 1824; Jacob H., born August 16, 1821, died July 23, 1893; Adrianna, born August 14, 1823, is the wife of Alexander Kirk; Benjamin C., born September 17, 1825, is a resident of Oxford, Pa.; Joseph T., born June 29. 1827, also makes his home in Oxford, Pa.; Granville T., born August 8, 1829, lives near Zion, in Cecil County, Md.; Stephen J., of this reYiew, is next in order of birth; Anna, born July 23, 1835, is the wife of Charles S. Lincoln, and lives in Philadelphia; and Susan]., born July 18, 1837, died September 16, 1838. The death of the father occurred May 13, 1869, and the mother was called to her final rest September 19, 1874. Reared on the old homestead, Stephen J. Reynolds received his early education in the common schools of the neighborhood, but was later a student in the Rising Sun Seminary, a private school. He remained under the parental roof until eighteen years of age, when he began learning the machinist's trade in the shops at Stone Run, Cecil County, where he served a three years' apprenticeship, receiving $3 per month for the first year, $4 for the second, and $5 for the third. He then continued with the same firm for twelve years longer, but at the end of that time purchased the Drew Moore farm of sixty-eight acres in Lancaster County, Pa., where he engaged in farming for four years. Having greatly improved the place, he sold it at an advance Of$2,000. He then purchased a part of the old homestead farm in District No.6, Cecil County, where he still continues to reside. In 1861 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Reynolds and Miss Anna A. Phillips, who was born in May, 1841, and died September 21,1893. She was a most estimable lady, beloved by all who knew her, and a faithful member of the Society of Friends, taking an active and prominent part in the work of that church, and for a number of years was a prominent minister in the society to which she belonged. By her marriage she became the mother ofthree children, namely: Anna, now the wife of David T. Benson, of Benson, Harford County, Md.; Narcissa, who died at the age of eight years; and William, who is attending the normal school of Rising Sun. In connection with general farming, Mr. Reynolds is successfully engaged in the dairy business. He is a prominent member ofthe Grange, and, like his wife, he holds membership in the Friends' Church, in which he has served as clerk and overseer. He possesses a large share of benevolence, which induces him to take an active interest in what is going on around him, and which most nearly affects the welfare of his community.