A Wilson Family Tree

Notes for Willis Brewer Reeves


History of Todd County, Kentucky, ed. J. H. Battle, F. A. Battey Publishing Co., 1884, p. 306:

WILLIS B. REEVES is a son of Willis L. Reeves and Margaret Edwards. They had four children: Willis B., Haden E. (now in Texas) and two who died in childhood. Willis B. Reeves was born near Elkton, Ky., June 19, 1835, and was reared and educated here, which has been his permanent home since. In early life he began the study of law with Hon. F. M. Bristow and H. G. Petrie, was admitted to practice, which combined with agriculture, has occupied his time. He has served Todd County in the capacity of County Attorney, and two terms as Judge of the County Court. Mr. Reeves was married in Russellville, Ky., in December, 1859, to Miss Priscilla G. Davidson, daughter of Col. James W. Davidson. She is a native of Kentucky, born in 1836. They have been bless with eight children: viz: Ellen T., who died in early childhood; Mary G., John D., Hattie G., Willis, B., Jr., Fannie, Beall E. and Anna McReynolds Reeves. The family are member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Elkton.


From the Willis Long Reeves notes (obtained from the Trewolla Moskop Haas Mansfield Tree web site):

Willis Brewer Reeves, second child of Willis Long Reeves and Margret Henry Reeves, lived to the ripe old age of 86, dying in Elkton in 1921. In the "Letters" we know that he started out in the "store" and in business. In one letter, Priscilla warns him not to change to the "law" but to improve his store. He studied law in offices in Elkton and /or Russellville where at that time resided some of the great lawyers of the state. Some of these included Ninian Edwards, Crittenden, Broadnax and Bibb. He practiced law in Elkton all his life after having begun in the offices of Hon. F.M.Bristow and Hon. H.G. Petrie. He also engaged in farming. Battle's History of Todd County says that Willis Brewer Reeves was County Attorney and Judge of the County Court for two terms. The write-up of his death states that he was elected and served one term as County Attorney. From September 1870 until September 1876, he was County Judge and also served as Master Commissioner from November 1886 to March 1898. He was one of Elkton's oldest and best known citizens and a man of sterling character, kind of heart, and possessed of generous impulses. It can be truly said of him that he never forgot the hospitable ways of the pioneer. He was a faithful member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was a student of the Bible and his children were trained in its teachings. Following dinner on Sunday, after the family had attended Sunday School and Church services, they went into the parlor and he read from the Bible, prayed and talked to them and then they could go about their other activities, which to the young ladies of the family meant having the young men of the town or the young men from Vanderbilt Training School call on them. (V.T.S. was a "prep" school in Elkton.) He had a keen sense of humor and a delightful chuckle. He had a second wife, Mrs. Laura Hancock, but she preceded him in death.

Willis Brewer Reeves married Priscilla Guinn Davidson (1835-1895) on December 15, 1858. [Continued in the notes for Priscilla Guinn Davidson.]

Note: Some of the information in these pages is uncertain. Please let me know of errors or omissions using the email link above.    ...Mike Wilson
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