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James Reece Sr.

Birth	:	18 Jul 1815 Rainsboro, Highland County, Ohio, USA
Death	:	1904 Highland County, Ohio, USA
Burial	:	Hillsboro Cemetery, Hillsboro, Highland County, USA
Coordinate	:	39.2140600, -83.6035400
Description	:	"The News Herald" Hillsboro, Ohio June 30, 1904 James Reece Sr. Answers Summons of the Grim Reaper and Passes Into the Vale of Rest Was Old and Highly Respected Citizen and Had Filled Numerous Positions of Honor and Trust James Reece Sr., one of the oldest and best-known citizens of the state died at his home on West Main Street shortly after noon Saturday of old age. The following sketch was read at his funeral, which was held at 3 o'clock P.M. Tuesday. The Psalmist has beautifully expressed the promise of the Most High to the good man who abides under the shadow of... Read More	"The News Herald" Hillsboro, Ohio June 30, 1904 James Reece Sr. Answers Summons of the Grim Reaper and Passes Into the Vale of Rest Was Old and Highly Respected Citizen and Had Filled Numerous Positions of Honor and Trust James Reece Sr., one of the oldest and best-known citizens of the state died at his home on West Main Street shortly after noon Saturday of old age. The following sketch was read at his funeral, which was held at 3 o'clock P.M. Tuesday. The Psalmist has beautifully expressed the promise of the Most High to the good man who abides under the shadow of the Almighty. "With long life will I satisfy him" And when under that show he, by reason of his strength, even though it be in part "labor and sorrow," has lived almost four score and ten years, having all these days centered his mind and his actions on "whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are good of report;" and when having but little of this world's riches to leave behind, he can die, leaving as a priceless heritage to his children the memory of a life above reproach, how peacefully, as he nears death, he can review his career and look forward to its close as a" "Life that shall send A challenge to the end, And when it comes say, "Welcome friend." Such an estimate the writer places on the life and character of James Reece, who was bound to him by the ties of blood and endeared to him by the stronger ties of respect and love. James Reece was born July 18, 1815, on the old Reece homestead near Rainsboro, Ohio. He was the son of David and Sarah Weyer Reece. His father was one of the pioneers of the county, known for the sterling qualities of his character and honored by his friends in election to various positions of trust, having served several terms in the Ohio Legislature. His mother possessed these sturdy characteristics which belonged to the Pennsylvania Germans. James was the only son, he being one of six children who grew to manhood and womanhood; two of them, Julia Scott and Margaret Foraker have passed away, leaving as surviving sisters, Harriett Elliott of Columbus, Ohio and Elizabeth Garrett and Ruth Overman of this county. He received such limited education as the country schools of that day afforded and in early manhood became a clerk in a store at Leesburg. He afterwards, in partnership with the late H. W. Spargur, conducted a general store at Marshall, and at the end of two years moved to Rainsboro where he engaged in the same business, his associate being Anthony Weyer. July 28, 1847, he was married to Julia L. Elliott, who died in the year 1849. To this union was born Delia Reece, afterward Mrs.Wesley March, a woman of most beautiful and lovable character who died mourned by all who knew her. February 22, 1853, he was married to Eliza Jessie McKenney, who, from that day until his death, a period of more than fifty years, has shared his joys and sorrows, the vicissitudes and trials which fell to his lot in the long period of life accorded to him. To them six children were born, James B., Jessie, now Mrs. W. W. Trout, Mary, who was the wife of Charles J. West, Jane, now Mrs. Elmer Kinkead, Ellen and David, all of whom are now living except Mary, who died less than one year ago. In the year 1854, he was elected County Auditor and removed from Rainsboro to Hillsboro. He was Auditor from 1855 to 1857 and from 1859 to 1863, and County Treasurer from 1864 to 1868. In the later years of his life he served two terms as Auditor and at various times held local official positions in the village and township. For more than half a century he has been a familiar figure on the streets and in the business places of the village. He has been prominently identified with all that was for its best interests. His services and his sacrifices in behalf of the Hillsboro Female College should ever endear him to those who seek a high standard in Christian education. To this institution he devoted many years of his life and much of the little he possessed in dollars and cents. He found joy in whatever measure of success it achieved and wherein it failed, he found equal regret. Business life, he has passed away and it has been frequently remarked, without a known enemy. This, not because of any weakness in his character. He was not "all things to all men." No man had more pronounced opinions or views than he, and none was more tenacious in their advocacy, when once his judgment and his conscience approved. But he had equal respect for the honest opinions of others and thus avoided strong antagonisms which sometimes result in loss of friendship. Mr. Reece was a lover of his country and he watched its growth and development with interest and price, he also loved the Nation's defenders. No man was more patriotic than he, and the soldier in the field, and the soldier's family at home never appealed to him in vain, when in need of sympathy or assistance. While he was County Auditor, it was the custom of many of the soldier boys to send their money directly to him, asking him to see that it reached their families, and the implicit confidence reposed in "Jimmy Reece," as he was familiarly called, was never violated. There is perhaps many a soldier of that war, still living, who can remember his frequent visits to the railroad station to meet the homecoming boys and to ascertain and minister to their wants. In the year 1849, he united with the M. E. Church and has ever been a consistent member thereof, faithful in attendance and contributing to its support as he was able. In his religious life he was not demonstrative, but he knew "in whom he trusted." Simple in his faith and unostentatious in his practice, he tried to be right in his thoughts and right in his doing. He lived his Christianity and in the kindly word, the deeds of charity, the giving of the cup of cold water "in His name," in the conformity to correct principles of living, was found the exemplification of his faith. He knew many sorrows and was acquainted with grief, but he bore all with Christian fortitude. With the passing away of James Reece there is removed one of the few men who linked the present with the past. So long identified with our village, having lived in it, and having participated in all that has added to its growth for half a century, he was permitted to live a greater number of years than most of the honored ones, who were associated with hi all the various phases of our history, and whose names will recur to all who knew them. He stood almost alone, almost the last of these typical "gentlemen of the old school." Measured by sordid standards, by what he accumulated and left in wordly wealth, his would not be pronounced a successful life. He did not possess the genius of money making, or money saving. He was too unselfish, too trustful of others, to amass great riches. But there remains behind him as the result of his patient toil, and the nobility of his character, the certainty that he was honest and true; that he was warm-hearted and genial; that his friendship once gained was steadfast and enduring; that he was open-hearted and charitable, tolerant and forgiving. And these great moral qualities are the legacies which he left as he went down into the "valley and the shadow of death" to dwell forever "in the house of the Lord." Courtesy of Marianna Kerns Morgan 4 Jan. 2014 (Thank you)

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is James Reece Sr.'s memorial?
James Reece Sr.'s memorial is located at: Hillsboro Cemetery, Hillsboro, Highland County, USA.
When did James Reece Sr. death?
James Reece Sr. death on 1904 in Highland County, Ohio, USA
Where are the coordinates of the James Reece Sr.'s memorial?
Latitude: 39.2140600
Longitude: -83.6035400

Family Members:

Parent

Spouse

Eliza Jessie McKinney Reece

(1834 - 1904)

Siblings

Margaret R. Reece Foraker

(1820 - 1899)

Harriet Reece Elliott

(1822 - 1916)

Elizabeth S. Reece Garrett

(1824 - 1905)

Ruth Ann Reece Overman

(1827 - 1912)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Hillsboro Cemetery
Hillsboro, Highland County, USA
Coordinate: 39.2140600, -83.6035400

2. Saint Marys Catholic Cemetery
Hillsboro, Highland County, USA
Coordinate: 39.2118988, -83.6108017

3. Norman V. Statzer Memorial Garden
Hillsboro, Highland County, USA
Coordinate: 39.2046190, -83.6103330

4. Mitchell Cemetery
Hillsboro, Highland County, USA
Coordinate: 39.2166250, -83.6253960

5. Liming Family Farm Cemetery
Hillsboro, Highland County, USA
Coordinate: 39.1980130, -83.5947130

6. Fenner Cemetery #3
Hillsboro, Highland County, USA
Coordinate: 39.2350006, -83.6389008

7. Fenner Cemetery #2
Hillsboro, Highland County, USA
Coordinate: 39.2383003, -83.6477966

8. Fenner Cemetery #1
Hillsboro, Highland County, USA
Coordinate: 39.1986008, -83.6549988

9. Little Rock Cemetery
Hillsboro, Highland County, USA
Coordinate: 39.2532170, -83.5796680

10. Resthaven Memory Gardens
Hillsboro, Highland County, USA
Coordinate: 39.2574880, -83.5999450

11. Strain Cemetery
Highland County, USA
Coordinate: 39.2103004, -83.6628036

12. Creek Cemetery
Highland County, USA
Coordinate: 39.2016983, -83.5453033

13. Hansbrough Cemetery
Highland County, USA
Coordinate: 39.2543983, -83.5693970

14. Zink Cemetery
Hillsboro, Highland County, USA
Coordinate: 39.2463989, -83.6500015

15. Pleasant Hill Cemetery
Hillsboro, Highland County, USA
Coordinate: 39.1658983, -83.6274208

16. Chapman Cemetery
Hillsboro, Highland County, USA
Coordinate: 39.1741982, -83.6496964

17. Kelley Cemetery
Highland County, USA
Coordinate: 39.1596985, -83.5892029

18. Highland County Infirmary Cemetery
Highland County, USA
Coordinate: 39.1820100, -83.5432520

19. Glascock Cemetery
Highland County, USA
Coordinate: 39.1613998, -83.6408005

20. Duckwall Cemetery
Hoagland, Highland County, USA
Coordinate: 39.2131192, -83.6835334

21. Ambrose Cemetery
Highland County, USA
Coordinate: 39.1781006, -83.6710968

22. Fall Creek Cemetery
Highland County, USA
Coordinate: 39.2594660, -83.5458280

23. Hightop Cemetery
Highland County, USA
Coordinate: 39.2831001, -83.6031036

24. New Light Cemetery
Highland County, USA
Coordinate: 39.2106018, -83.5102997