"Harper Advocate", Kansas, Sept. 11, 1903:
A Respected Citizen Passed Away

Elsbery W. Reynolds, Sr., died at his home in the third ward, Harper, Kansas, Saturday, September 5, 1903, at 5 p.m., age 86 years and 5 months. The funeral was held at the residence on Tuesday, September 8th, at 3 p.m., conducted by Rev. P. M. Cummings, of Anthony; prayer and remarks by Rev. Crouch, pastor of the Harper M. E. church. The remains were laid to rest in the I. O. O. F. cemetery. Mr. Reynolds was born in Queen Ann county, Maryland, April 5, 1817. When a small boy he moved with his parents to Ohio, and from there to Indiana and later he moved to Iowa; in 1865 he moved to Carrollton, Missouri, and in 1883 to Harper, where he has resided ever since. He was a farmer most of his life, but during the war (rebellion) he kept a hotel and store in Centerville, Iowa. He previously had a dry goods store in Drakeville, Ohio. Mr. Reynolds was a consistent church member, being an elder in the Christian church for over fifty years. In 1843 he assisted John A. Drake, father of Governor Drake, of Iowa, and Hiram Padgett in organizing the Christian church at Drakeville, Iowa; and these three were the first elders. He is the last of the three to go to his reward in heaven. E. W. Reynolds was first married, August 10, 1837, to Sarah A. Berkley, of Bourbon county, Kentucky. August 9, 1857, at the home of John A. Drake, Drakeville, Iowa, E. W. Reynolds and Minerva Catherine Miller (whose maiden name was Smock) were married, and to them were born seven children, the youngest of whom, Hattie, died at the age of 7 years and 11 months, and now lies buried in the Harper cemetery. Grandpa Reynolds was one of Harper's most respected citizens and was loved by all. He had been in feeble health for a number of years, but was, up to the past few months, able to make regular short visits to his many friends. He was aged in body, but retained his remarkable strength of mind and was always conversant with the topics of the day. Harper in general sincerely sympathizes with the bereaved family.

{note: After Elsbery's first wife, Sarah Berkley Reynolds died, he married Jane Corner on August 3, 1856 and she died May 18, 1857. He then married Minerva C. Miller Smock}

Elsbery & Sarah Berkley Reynolds had 7 children: James Hitt, George Jerome, Ezra Mitchell, Hannah, Martha, Amanda and Minnie.

Elsbery & Minerva Smock Reynolds also had 7 children: Etta, Ida May, Oma, Elsbery II, McPherson, Eva and Hattie.