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.

Reuben was the only son of Daniel and Euphemia P (Pigg) Reese. He had three half brothers and one half sister - born to Daniel Reese and Sarah A Webb (his mother's cousin). They were Charles J [1857-1949], George B [1859-1951], William M [1861-1930] and Emma P [1864-1956].

He moved to St Joseph, MO sometime between 1880 and 1885 - apparently to remain close to his materal grandparents, Thomas GW and Sarah A (Kartchner) Pigg.

In St Joseph, he was listed as a "contractor" in various census records and city directories.

Reuben married three times; Miss Laura Kerns/Kernes [1869-1894, the daughter of Wm M and Elizabeth (Deagle) Kerns refer to Find a Grave Memorials #38505558 & 56926132 - GK 8/25/15]in 1885; Miss Emma T Leonard in 1895 and Mrs Sarah M (Asher) Eddington in 1927 (although a news article in the 1924 St Joseph Observer suggests that they living together as early as Sept of that year. Another article in The Atchison [Kansas] Daily Globe, for Jan 1945 notes they were married ????)

The first marriage produced four children, of which only one - Earnest - survived to majority, Laura and a child died in childbirth in 1894. In his second marriage, a single daughter was born, Josephine Catherine [1895-1995]. No children were born during his final marriage.

There were three step children, George R Duvall, Mada Edington and Vada A. Edington Conley [Find a Grave Memorial 103540252]. [G Kartchner]

He was listed as Executor on his grandmother's, Sarah Ann Pigg, 1907 probated will.

"There were 4 names on the Reese stone - Ashland Cemetery, St Joseph, Buchanan Co, MO

On the Reese headstone there was:
Earnest July 23, 1889-Jan 3, 1919
Emery N Mar 21, 1892-Dec 31, 1907
Reuben N Jan 1, 1863-Aug 1, 1946
Sadie E Apr 6, 1883-Nov 25, 1962"
[Source: May 2006 Email from Jan C RAOGK-Buchanan Co,MO]

Reuben B. Reese Will Take Charge of the St. Joseph State Employment Bureau July 1.
Doract's Removal said to Be for Political Reasons
Democratic politicians of St Joseph were given a surprise this afternoon when William Anderson, state labor commissioner, arrived in the city and announced the appointment of Reuben N. Reese, a local carpenter, to succeed William Doract as clerk In charge of the local state free employment bureau. So far as is known there has never been any criticism of Doract's work and it was supposed that he would hold office at least as long as his superior officer, Mr. Anderson.

St. Joseph News-Press (St. Joseph, Missouri), Jun 6, 1905, Page 6

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Obituary:
Reuben N Reese, 83, Died Today at Home
Reuben N Reese, 83 years old, died this morning at his home, 607 North Thirteenth street. Born in Iowa, Mr Reese had lived in St Joseph 60 years. He was a carpenter contractor by trade. Mr Reese was the only charter life member of the Loyal Order of the Moose and was also a member of Enterprise Lodge, I.O.O.F., and of the First Christian Church.

He is survived by his wife Sady E. Reese of the home; one step son Dr George Reese Duball, Western Neb.; two brothers, Charles and George Reese, Woodbine, Iowa; two half brothers, George and Harry Krigline, Topeka, Kan.; one half sister, Mrs Ella Horkman, Topeka; one grandson and one great grandson. The body is at the Fleeman mortuary. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. tomorrow at the Fleeman chapel, the Rev George R Davis officiating. Burial will be in Ashland Cemetery.

[Combination of death and funeral notices which appeared in the "St Joseph News Press", 1 August 1946 & the "St Joseph Gazette", 2 August 1946 Courtesy of the St Joseph Public Library]

Notes:
1. His location during the 1880 census has been found, he was working for the family of J.W. Packer, in Foremile Twp, Polk Co, IA (July 30th - Year: 1880; Census Place: Four-Mile, Polk, Iowa; Roll: 360; Page: 483A; Enumeration District: 169 )

2. "WILL PROBATED
Reuben N. Reese Granted Pigg Estate Letters.
Letters testamentary were granted to Reuben N. Reese by Probate Judge Imel yesterday in the estate of Mrs. Sarah Ann Pigg. who died September l4. Mrs. Pigg's will was admitted to probate.

The sum of $2 is left by Mrs. Pigg to her daughter, Mrs. Marietta Peck, wife of T. J. L Peck. It is stated in the will that Mrs. Peck received her share in the estate from her father.

One lot in Highley's addition is left to Reuben N. Reese to be used In the maintenance of Thomas F. Plgg. a son. The remainder of the estate, said to comprise five houses, estimated to be valued at $5,000, is to be divided between Reese, two daughters, Mra Euphemla Krigllne and Mrs. Georgia Titus, and a aon, Gustavua D. Plgg." St. Joseph Gazette (Missouri), Sep 17, 1907, Page 3

3. The burial locations of Reuben's first wife (Laura Kerns/Kernes), their daughter Euphemia 1887- January 18, 1903 and the unnamed child. St Joseph, MO Death Records revealed that Laura died July 6, 1894, not mention of a still birth. [GK 5/24/17] Thanks to Ms. M.Brown, 5 Nov 2017, she discovered and shared Laura's burial location at the Ashland cemetery. [GK 11/7/17]

3. The burial locations of Reuben's second wife (Emma Theresa Leonard). Emma died after many years at the Missouri State Hospital. (GK 8/12/2014)

4. Reuben's obituary mentions a surviving grandson and great grandson, the child and grandchild of his son Earnest. [Thomas, grandson Ernie great grandson GK 8/25/15]

[Researched and compiled by the Kartchner Brothers]

Thank you Find a Grave contributor M. Brown for plot information