W. F. Reeves is a native son of the Lone Star state and since 1870 has been a resident of Hood and Somervell counties. It is therefore fitting that mention of his life, and a history of his pioneer parents, both of whom have passed away, should be given prominence in this record of representative men and women.

W. F. Reeves was born in Clarksville, Red River county, Texas, September 28, 1852, youngest son in the family of ten children of Dr. J.H. and Mary (Holt) Reeves. Dr. Reeves was a native of Georgia, born June 10, 1808, son of John Reeves, who was of Irish birth and settled in America in colonial days. When the father of our subject was a child the family removed to Tennessee and located near Shelbyville, Bedford county, where he grew up, studied medicine and married, his marriage to Miss Mary Holt occurring in the year 1833. She was a native of South Carolina, born in 1812, and a daughter of Michael Holt, who traced his origin back to the Dutch. When Mrs. Reeves was a child she was taken by her parents to Tennessee until 1845, at that time removing with his family to Texas and locating in Red River county, where for many years he ministered to suffering humanity on the frontier and at the same time was interested in all that pertained to the development of the country and its resources. In 1871 he came to Hood county and settled on the banks of the Brazos, in what is now Somervell county where he continued the practice of his profession until his death, August 25, 1885. After coming to this county he kept in his residence a drug store, conducting the same in connection with his practice. His wife survived him two years, her death occurring February 2, 1887. They were the parents of ten children, nine of whom arrived at adult age, namely:

The doctor and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he took an active part for many years. Also he was a member of the Masonic fraternity, and in his political views he was in harmony with the Democratic party.

From this succinct sketch of his honored parents, we turn now to a brief glimpse of the enterprising son, W.F. Reeves. His boyhood and youth were passed in the rural districts of his native county, his education was obtained in the common schools, and he remained with his parents until their death. In 1886 he was elected county sheriff and tax collector, was re-elected in 1888 and again in 1890, and served as the incumbent of that office for six years. In February, 1894, he became associated with John Montgomery in the mercantile business and they have since prospered, doing a business which averages about $10,000 per annum; and in connection with running the store they also do a large business in real estate.

Mr. Reeves is prominent in fraternity circles. He is a member of the A.F. & A.M. at Glen Rose, Lodge No. 525, in which he has passed most of the chairs; and in the K. of P. [Knights of Pythias], Glen Rose Lodge, No. 168, he is Past Chancellor of the Grand Lodge of the state. Politically, like his father before him, he is a stanch supporter of the principles of the Democracy.

History of Texas, 1896, Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Co.