Riley Co., KS AHGP-Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington, Clay and Riley Counties-Alvin Reynolds
Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington, Clay and Riley Counties Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1890
ALVIN REYNOLDS, Postmaster at Keats, is one of the old-timers of Riley County, and during the Civil War was a soldier in the Union army. He came to Kansas during its pioneer days, and has contributed his quota toward developing the best interests of Riley County. A self-made man in the broadest sense of the term, he, through his own efforts, worked his way up from an humble position in life, and is numbered among the leading men of the community.
The third child of his parents, Elijah and Letitia (Ammerman) Reynolds, natives of New York State, the subject of this sketch was born Sept. 15, 1824, in Dutchess County, N. Y., and there grew to man's estate. His father was a rope-maker by trade, and both parents spent their lives in their native State, the mother dying in 1858, and the father the following year. They had a family of eight children, three of whom are living and residents of New York and Kansas. Alvin, like the others, was at an early age trained to habits of industry, and when a youth of sixteen years started out for himself by beginning to work on a farm. In the meantime he had learned the trade of a stone mason. After reaching his majority he employed himself at farming in New York State until 1865. That year he repaired to Riley County, Kan., and soon afterward enlisted in Company G,, 2d United States Cavalry, joining his regiment at Winchester, Va., remaining in that region one year. Thence they were transferred to the 7th regiment, which was employed largely in guard and garrison duty at Ft Leavenworth. Later they were at Ft. Riley, and when his services were no longer needed, Mr. Reynolds received his honorable discharge, in March, 1867.
Soon after retiring from the service, we find Mr. Reynolds established at Manbattan, Kan., where he followed his trade, and in 1886 he came to what was then Wild Cat, but is now Keats village. He opened a grocery store, which he has since conducted, building up a good trade. He was married over thirty-three years ago, March 2, 1856. to Miss Lavina Stephens, a native of New York State, and who died in 1874. He was a second time married, Feb. 2, 1876, to Miss Etta, daughter of William and Lucinda (Goodnow) Parkinson, natives of New England. Mrs. Reynolds was the eldest of two children, and was born April 16, 1853. in Westerly, R. I. Of her union witli our subject there were born two sons�William E. and Louis. Mrs. Etta Reynolds died March 12, 1889. She was a member in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Mr. Reynolds takes a warm interest in politics, and votes the straight Republican ticket. He was appointed Postmaster of Wild Cat in 1886, and re-appointed since that time. The name of the village was changed to Keats in 1889. The familiar face of Mr. Reynolds is known to most of the residents of Wild Cat Township, where he long ago established himself in their esteem and confidence.
On another page will be found the portrait of Mr. Reynolds, as one of the most honored citizens of Riley County.