The death of J. H. Reynolds occurred at his home in this city last Thursday. Funeral services were held Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the Methodist church, conducted by Rev. R. W. Slick, pastor. Members of Harlan post G.A.R. and members of the American Legion acted as an escort. Interment was made in the city cemetery with the American Legion services being used.
Joseph Henry Reynolds was born in Dublin, Ind., April 23, 1843, of Quaker parentage. His father, B.C. Reynolds, formerly of Harlan, moved from Indiana in 1853 settling in Sigourney, Keokuk County, Iowa. Here Joseph received his education and training. When the Civil War broke out he enlisted at the age of twenty as a member of Company F, 8th Iowa Infantry. This was on August 10th, 1861. On account of disability he was discharged at St. Louis, Mo., April 24th, 1863. He enlisted again on June 10, 1863 in Company H in the 7th Iowa Cavalry and was transferred to Company H. 7th Iowa Cavalry Reorganized and served until May 1866 when he was mustered out at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
After his return from the army he was married to Miss Lucy M. Goss of Lancaster, Iowa. In 1868 they moved to Peterson, Clay County, Iowa, where they lived on a homestead for 12 years. In 1880 they moved to Harlan, Iowa, where Mr. Reynolds engaged in contracting and building for a number of years.
His wife, Lucy M., passed on in August 1909, and he spent a year or two with his children in Des Moines, Iowa, and Washington, D.C. On August 4, 1911, he was married to Mrs. Etta Westrope and has remained in Harlan since that time. There have been two major interests in the life of Mr. Reynolds in these years. He has been a church man, a member of the Methodist church and interested in all its services. The other was his G.A.R. Post to which he gave his time and energy.
He leaves surviving him, the widow Mrs. Mary Etta Reynolds, two sons, Chas. A. Reynolds of San Antonio, Texas, and Joseph C. Reynolds of Omaha, Nebr., and four daughters, Elizabeth, Myrta A., and Florence E. Reynolds, and Mrs. E. L. Newby, all of Washington, D.C., also three brothers, T. M. of Kansas City; B. F. of Irwin, and H. C., Florida, and eight grandchildren, and four great grandchildren.
Mr. Reynolds joined the local post G.A.R. April 18, 1885, and was a faithful member. He served the post as commander for several terms. At the time of his death he was serving as post chaplain. He served this city as postmaster for eight years.