Researched and compiled by the Kartchner Brothers

A Descendant of the Kartchner/Wilcox family of Philadelphia

NOTE : Either Rees or Reese has been noted in primary sources.

William was the third son/child of Daniel and Sarah (Webb) Reese.

Married Julia E Dotson 1888 in Jasper Co, IA. She was the daughter of Charles A and Mariam "York" Dotson. Their marriage record affirmed he was working in the US Secret Service.

News Articles:

SAD STORY OF "SMOKEY" REESE
Gambler in Tearful Lamentation on Decline and Fall of Davenport.
NO BUSINESS FOR SPORTS NOWADAYS
Declares City is Now Ruled by "Des Moines and Civic Federation."
(Evening Tribune Special!)
DAVENPORT, Ia., April 23 -"Smokey" Reese, king of the Davenport gamblers, prominent promoter of prise fights and other sporting activities, is feeling pessimistic over the closing down of the lid on Davenport.

"Smokey's" bid for fame last year was the pulling off of the Mc-Farland-Kid Herman fight In defiance of the order of Governor Cummins. an incident that took him to Des Moines to perform some remarkable feats In forgetting things as a witness at the court martial of Capt. W.O. Kulp. "Smokey's" swan song has just been given to an Interviewer.

He says:
"I am willing to close, there is nothing to stay open here for any longer. This movement will affect all kinds of business and return Davenport to the stage of a country village. My advice to the sporting element of Davenport is to clear the town. It is no longer a city governed by a city administration but is ruled by Des Moines and the civic federation. I am going to get out at the first opportunity. Seattle looks good to me. I shall visit the coast this summer, take in the Packey McFarland-Battling Nelson fight (note: these two lightweights found on the same bill, but never fought each other. g.k.) and look over the west for a good location. I only wish I had my money now in my pocket instead of invested in Davenport property".

"There is no longer any room for the sporting element in Davenport and no prospects for their future should they remain here. The best they can do is to get out and go to a live place. Davenport is dead. The first thing we know it will be burying the dead on our main streets. The sporting element have brought business to Davenport in the past, they have brought money to the city and nine out of every ten dollars has been put into circulation and in time reached the cash drawers of our merchants. But it seems certain our citizens do not want this business activity any longer. As long as they rule, I say give them full sway. All strangers are now passing up Davenport and going to live towns. Our population is bound to decrease. Buildings will be vacated, taxes will increase, and rents will tumble. I don't believe Davenport will ever open up again. If I had my money out of the town, it would be good-bye tomorrow to the old burg, once the best town In the United States, now only a shadow of its former self".

Des Moines Tribune, Apr 23, 1909, Page 12

William M Reese, Former
Davenporter, is at Head
of Big $250,000 Concern
THE many Davenport friends of William M. Reese, the former Davenport sporting authority, better known to his intimates as "Smokey", will be pleased to learn of the' splendid success which has attended his venture, in the commercial world.

Several years ago Mr. Reese organized the Grip Bow Tie company, with headquarters in Omaha. Recently the company was incorporated with a paid-up capital stock of $250,000.

Five individuals own all the stock. They are Mr. Reese, his son, Merle Reese, Louis B. Steiniger, August Graskie and William H. Laude. Mr. Steiniger is a cousin of William Steiniger of Davenport. Merle Reese is sales promotion manager. He is a former Davenport High school boy and made an enviable reputation while here on the High school debating team.

At the Omaha plant 190 people are employed. There are 30 sales men on the road. A branch factory is operated at Monticello, Iowa. Here the grip-bows are made. All the other neckwear is manufactured in Omaha. The output of both factories is close to a million dollars annually.

The products of the company, including all kinds of gentlemen's neckwear, are to be found on sale in most of the leading stores of the country.

Mr. Reese is now in Davenport on his way to New York, where he and his associates will purchase the coming year's supply of silk. The New York order at this time will probably reach $250,000.

Mr. Reese last week purchased a $30,000 home in Omaha. To use an old phrase, he's now "on easy street." All of which is good news to his host of Davenport friends.

Quad-City Times, Aug 18, 1922, Page 8

Omaha Business Man Drops Eight Stories To Death
OMAHA Dec 18 - William Reese, 69, senior partner in the neckwear firm of Reese and Reese here was fatally injured early last night when he fell eight stories down an elevator shaft in the building in which his firm occupied space. He died two hours later at a hospital.

His son, Merl Reese, failed by inches in a desperate attempt to save his father's life. The son was standing a few feet behind his father when the elder man stepped into the elevator shaft.

Leaping forward, the son grasped the elder man's coat, but the garment ripped and he fell eight stories, landing on top of the elevator in the basement.

According to the son, Mr Reese, believing the elevator on the eighth floor, had opened the shaft door with a bar. Thinking he was stepping aboard the elevator. Mr Reese the took a quick step into the open space, the son said.

The Reese family was just leaving the company quarters for the night. Mr Reese had been in business in Omaha for 20 years.

The Lincoln Star, December 18, 1930, Pg 5

William (Smoky) Reese, Former Davenporter, In Accident Death at Omaha
William M. Reese, familiarly known to his Davenport friends as "Smoky," is dead at his home in Omaha. Death resulted from a fall down an elevator shaft. He was 67 years old.

Mr. Reese and his two sons owned the Reese & Reese Grip Bow Tie company of Omaha, a flourishing concern which manufactures grip bow ties and other styles of neckwear.

After closing hours, Wednesday evening, Mr. Reese had ascended to the eighth floor of the factory building to secure some boxes for Christmas packing. He left the elevator standing on -the -the eighth floor level while he went to another part of the building. In the meantime, unknown to Mr. Reese, some one had lowered the elevator. Returning he stepped into the open shaft and was hurtled to the bottom floor, eight floors below. Death was instantaneous.

Mr. Reese was born In Colfax, Ia., and came to Davenport in 1885. For many years he conducted the Senate bar on East Third street, near Perry Street. He was a leading figure in sporting circles, being particularly fond of horse racing and boxing. In the old days he promoted a number of the more important boxing events in the city. Genial, big hearted and generous, he made many friends. It is said that the poor of Davenport never had a better friend than "Smoky" Reese. No one in distress ever appealed to him in vain.

Mr. Reese left Davenport 15 years ago, for Omaha, where he and his two sons, Merle W and Rex Y. Reese organized the Reese Grip Bow Tie company. From a small beginning it developed into a big industry. Its volume of business exceeds a million dollars a year. The deceased was president of the company.

Immediate survivors are the wife and two sons, Merle and Rex. A daughter, Pearl, died, eight years ago. Mr. Reese Is also survived by two brothers, a half brother, and five sisters. They are George B. Reese, 1116 Harrison street, Davenport; C.J. Reese, Woodbine, Ia.; Joseph Alexander, Colfax, Ia.; Mrs. Emma Seeley, Woodbine, Ia.; Mrs. Anna Whitehead, Des Moines, Ia.; Mrs. Isabelle McKeever, Mitchelville. Ia.; Mrs. Taylor Barker, Mingo, Ia.; Mrs. Susie Buckley, Colfax, Ia. Funeral services and burial will take place in Omaha Saturday afternoon. Mr. and Mrs. George B. Reese of Davenport left this afternoon for Omaha to attend the funeral.

Quad-City Times, Dec 19, 1930, Page 17

Obituary - Reese, William M
Reese, William M - December 17, 1930, aged 69 years. Is survived by his widow, Julia Dotson Reese; two sons, Merl and Rex; and two granddaughters, Elizabeth Ann and Angela Reese, all of Omaha; four brothers, C.J., Woodbine, Ia,; G.B., Davenport, Ia.; J.R. (Alexander) of Colfax, Ia; and Reuben, St. Joseph, Mo.; and five sisters, Mrs Emma Seeley, Woodbine, Ia.; Mrs Susie Buckley, Colfax, Ia; Mrs Tina Barker, Mingo, Ia; Mrs Isabelle McKeever, Mitchellville, Ia.; and Mrs Anna Whitehead, Des Moines, Ia. Funeral services will be held from Brailey & Dorrance chapel Saturday, December 20, at 2 p.m. Interment West Lawn Cemetery.

Omaha World Herald, December 20, 1930, Pg 30

His siblings were:
Charles J [1857-1949]
George B [1859-1951]
Emma P [1864-1956]
[a half brother - Reuben N Reese (1863-1941)].

He married Julia E Dotson in 1888.

Their Descendancy:
Merl Webb[1890 IA-1959 CO]
(m. Ruth M Hosfeldt 1914/Died 1986 CA)
Pearl Vivian [1893 IA -1918 NE]
(m. Brildon R Greene 1912)
Reginold York (REX) [1902 IA-1984 CA]
(m. Helen E Rose 1925 NE/Div'd)
(m. June M Wallace 1947/Died 1949)
(m. Irene ??????) ??
(m. Ruth {Hosfeldt} Reese)

Note: The family lived in the Davenport, Iowa before moving to Omaha in 1911.

He was the owner and president of the Grip Bow Tie Company, in Omaha - with his sons and stepson working with him. (In one article found in a Iowa newspaper about the time of the Spanish American War, he was mentioned as greeting troops as they were on board a train, with his dog, "Grip", so it is possible that the company and the featured bow-tie were named after his dog???)

William's youngest son, Rex worked on his family history during the early 1950's [based on some of the dates noted] and in the material he later entrusted with his niece, Mrs Elizabeth A Silliman, the following remarks were found about William:

"5' 6" - 145 lbs - Blue eyes, dark brown hair. Born near Newton, Iowa on a farm. Father died in Civil War and buried at sea. Mother remarried Joe Alexander. Ran away at age 14. US Secret Service at age 21. Later operated saloon and gambling house in Davenport, Iowa. Managed prize fighter, Packy McFarland. Operated river boat on Mississippi out of Davenport. Traveled on road for several years. Entered necktie business 1914 in Omaha, with son Merl 1916-1930 as partners. Killed Dec 17, 1930 in factory elevator shaft fall. Converted by Billie Sunday, the evangelist in 1915 in Omaha. Joined 1st Christian Church where he remained an active and sincere member until his death.

Mannerisms - Restless, great driving energy, talkative, very friendly, easily met, liked everyone he met, generous to a fault. Strong Masonic loyalty.

Inventor of elastic band bow tie, also grip bow tie. At death left estate of $150,000 - starting in tie business on borrowed capital 16 years earlier."

----------------------

"I often heard my dad and uncle refer to their father as 'Smokey'. Dad said his dad had been a gambler on a Mississippi River boat. However I never heard about the saloons and poker rooms. Rex had the bowler hat bronzed and it was hanging on the wall in his recreation room. I wish I had that hat! Smokey gave up his wild ways when he was 'saved' by Billy Sunday, a famous preacher, Then marrying my grandmother kept him from falling back. It is amazing he started with so little and built up a sizable business. My dad seemed to have inherited the gambling fever."

[Source: June 30, 2008 Email from Elizabeth Silliman]

Notes:
1. The 1880 Census noted that he was with the US Secret Service, this was also mentioned in several articles about him. FYI: When the United States Secret Service (USSS) was established in 1865, its main duty was to prevent the illegal production, or counterfeiting, of money. At this time, America's monetary system was very disorganized. Bills and coins were issued by each state through individual banks, which generated many types of legal currency. With so many different kinds of bills in circulation, it was easy for people to counterfeit money. During the Civil War, it was estimated that more than a third of the nation's money was counterfeit.

2. An article found in the Omaha newspaper noted that one of his early jobs was that of a chimney sweep, suggesting the origin of his nickname. [GK 2018].

"Smokey Reese blowed a cornet when he drilled down the street with his chimney-sweep makeup, high cone-shaped skimmer, rope and tackle. He could go through a chimney like a swallow, and chimney-soot had a fat chance when Smokey got on its trail".

Them was the good old days in Davenport, Scott County Iowa,, W.L. Purcell, 1922, pg 204 [Discovered 2/2019, this book reprinted sketches originally published in the Davenport Democrat newspaper, with revisions and additions by Purcell. William mentioned two other times in relation to his running the Senate bar/saloon in Davenport, IA on pages 153 and 167]

3. "Henry Martens, ex-chief of police and wife transferred to William M. Reese, property located on Twelfth and Rock Island streets for the consideration of $4800." Quad-City Times (Davenport ), Oct 12, 1904, Page 7

4. His wife's father, Charles A Dotson, 1913 obit noted the couple was in Rock Island, IL.

5. "William and Julia REESE are buried Section 7 lot 9 graves 3 and 4 at Westlawn cemetery. William died Dec/20/1930 and Julia died Apr/14/1950. Pearl REESE buried within their lot and I took a photo of her stone as well." [Source : October 2007 Email from Michele H, RAOGK-Omaha, NE]

6. This brief news item found in the newspaper suggests that during the time he operated a boat on the Mississippi he may have had used an alias, in addition to that of "Smoky":
"BARGE COLUMBUS IS SOLD BY I.& I. CLUB
The barge Columbus, owned by 'Smoky' Reese (Tex. Richards) has been sold in a deal consummated Friday to the Mississippi River Improvement company of Keokuk. The consideration is said to be $1,500. The barge will be used as a supply boat on the Keokuk dam. It was taken down the river yesterday. from Quad-City Times, Oct 1, 1911, Sun, pg 13 " - The I & I Club full name was the "I & I Amusement Club", which Smokey owned or operated.

7. Below was included in a biography for his son Merl; posted to a Facebook page devoted to early Davenport History:
'William M. "Smokey" Reese, received the nickname of "Smokey," during his younger days when he worked as a chimney sweep. From about March of 1899 until 1907, he was proprietor of the Kimball House Turkish Bath Rooms. Additionally, beginning in the summer of 1905, Bert Smith and "Smokey" Reese, in partnership, became proprietors of the saloon and club rooms known as the "Senate Club," at 127 E. Third Street. On Saturday, September 9th, 1905, Bert Smith purchased the interests of his partner, "Smokey" Reese, for a cash consideration. After the deal had been closed, Mr. Smith stated that he would sell the business for a sum somewhat in excess of what he had invested in it. Mr. Reese accepted the terms of his former partner, and bought the business back, becoming sole proprietor!

On Saturday morning, February 27, 1909, after the "Senate Club" had closed at about 4:30 a.m., proprietors S. J. Stuckey and W. M. Reese left for their homes. Their departure was clearly under close watch, because after they had gotten safely out of range, two culprits pulled off one of the boldest and most skillful pieces of safe-blowing that has ever been perpetrated in Davenport. The safe crackers began what proved to be an easy task for them and were well paid for their work, as they secured in the neighborhood of $900. The safe reposed in a small room or closet on the second floor. The safe door was drilled in the center on one side of the tumblers where the cracksmen inserted nitroglycerine. That they were experienced men in this line was demonstrated by the clever job they carried out. At the time of the explosion, a porter was at work in the saloon below. He heard a slight noise caused by the explosion, but not knowing its source, thought nothing of it. "Smokey" Reese conducted the Senate Club during the days when Davenport was known as a "wide open" town. It was one of the best known clubs of its kind in the middle west.'

8.
The Grip Bow Tie Company was founded in 1914 by William M. Reese and his son, Merle W. Reese. Located in the Industrial Building at 17th and Webster streets, the company was one of the largest neckwear manufacturers in the country. By 1925, the firm touted an average production of 7,000 ties daily (that's nearly 2 million a year!) shipped to every state in the country and sold locally at fine retailers such as J.L. Brandeis & Sons and Nebraska Clothing Co.. The Grip Bow Tie Company was known for their style, service and satisfaction. One Nebraska Clothing Co. advertisement featuring the bow ties read, "Man-it's your necktie that she sees first. We have found them (the ties) among the best made with all wool lining, superior endurance and new spring patterns of exceptional novelty." All that for just $1!!

How does one get into the bow tie business you might ask? While in the Glee Club at the University of Chicago, Merle Reese found himself assisting the other members with "the agonies of hell" trying to tie their bow ties before each concert. He was quoted as saying, "I dream of the day when a perfect bow tie could be whisked to the collar without the aid of any profanity whatsoever." He would later turn his dreams into inventions, inventions into patents and patents into an incredibly successful business.

1927, the company changed its name to Reese & Reese and moved to a larger facility (to accommodate the growing business) at 10th and Douglas. 130 women worked in the factory making ties while over 30 salesmen moved about the country.

[Researched and compiled by the Kartchner Brothers]