A Wilson Family Tree
Notes for James Alexander McReynolds
History of Todd County, Kentucky, ed. J. H. Battle, F. A. Battey Publishing Co., 1884, pp. 137-138:
In 1834 Dr. James A. McReynolds came to this point [Elkton, KY], and as he afterward followed other vocations besides his chosen profession, and was withal one of the foremost men of the place, we deem it best to insert a short sketch of this gentleman. He was a son of Oliver and Elizabeth McReynolds, and was born in Campbell County, Va., in 1812. He was of Scotch-Irish descent, the family moving from Scotland to Ireland immediately after the conquest of Ireland by Cromwell. The grandfather of Dr. McReynolds came from Ireland to this country with his mother and one brother, soon after the siege of Londonderry, and from this small beginning the whole family of McReynoldses are now descended. The family first settled in Pennsylvania, moving thence to Campbell County, Va., where the grandfather married, and raised a large family, and of that number the father of James A. McReynolds was the youngest. Dr. McReynolds was raised and educated in his vative country, receiving only such instruction as was given by the common schools of those days. In 1832 he moved with his father to Trigg County, Ky., settling near Cadiz, and two yeats afterward he came to this point. Upon his arrival here he began the study of medicine with Drs. Grooms and Venable. In 1835-36 he attended his first course of lectures at Cincinnati, and in 1836-37 he attended the Transylvania University orf Medicine, at Lexington, Ky., which was at that time the leading medical college of the West, and ranked among the first in the Union. Returning to this town he began the practice of his profession. About 1842, his health being rather poor, he quit the practice of medicine and commenced reading law. But after about three years' attention to that profession he returned to the practice of medicine. In 1847 he was elected to the Legislature, and served one term. Returning to this point he continued the practice of medicine until 1867, when he was elected Cashier of the Bank of Elkton. This position he occupied until his death in 1869. In person Dr. McReynolds was very tall and spare, with light auburn hair, large light gray eyes, and in his address he was exceedingly awkward. His mind was strong and logical, and he investigated subjects slowly and carefully. As a practitioner of medicine he was cautious and careful. He was for a long time a prominent member of the Christian Church, and wielded a large influence, both by reason of the strength of his intellect and the force and purity of his character.
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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