GLENN H. REYNOLDS

BIOGRAPHY

AS RECORDED IN:

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF
TOLLAND AND WINDHAM COUNTIES CONNECTICUT.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF PROMINENT AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS AND OF MANY OF THE EARLY SETTLED FAMILIES
PUBLISHER: J.H.BEERS & CO., CHICAGO; 1903 P. 561

GLENN H. REYNOLDS, a well-known retired merchant at Danielson, Windham county, was born in Mansfield, Tolland county, Conn., Nov. 25, 1823, and comes of a family numerously represented in this part of Connecticut. To no other cause than his own perseverance can his success be attributed, for he was born into a large family of children, dependent upon the altogether inadequate earnings of their farmer father. As soon as physical strength and dawning judgement permitted, he was put to work to swell the family maintenance fund, and his earliest days were therefore not remote from care and responsibility. At the age of fourteen years, in 1837, he went to live for a year with an uncle, Stephen Brigham, of Mansfield, and while on this farm received thirty dollars for summer services, and the privilege of going to school during the winter in exchange for the inevitable chores. During the winters of 1838-39 he made his home with his uncle, Capt. Samuel Reynolds, at Danielson, then Danielsonville, and while there assisted in putting out the large and beautiful maple trees that now furnish such grateful shade around the park and on Broad street, Danielson.

During the summer of 1840 Mr. Reynolds was employed on the farm of Alpheus Dimmick, in Mansfield, and the following winter lived with Deacon Stanley, at Coventry, earning the right to attend school by assisting around the farm. In the spring of 1841 he found work on a farm with Deacon Palmer, of Mansfield, and at the end of the season went to Albion, R.I., and was employed as a clerk in the store of E. Storrs Barrows, with whom he remained for a short time, later filling similar positions in stores at Valley Falls, Lonsdale and Providence, in the latter town being in the employ of Stephen A. Cook. In 1852 he came to Danielson and became a partner in a grocery store, soon after purchasing the interest of his partner, and continuing the business independently, the same being located in the room now occupied by the Adams Express Co. After a decidedly successful business experience Mr. Reynolds disposed of his interests in 1864, and in the spring of 1866 went to Cranston, R.I., where he became head clerk in the store of A. & W. Sprague. This store had an unusual era of prosperity during the construction of the Narragansett trotting track in 1866, its sales for that year alone being in the neighborhood of $367,000. In 1867 Mr. Reynolds removed to Providence, R.I., and became identified as bookkeeper with the mill supply firm of Hicks & Sprague, a few weeks later changed to C. White & Co., Mr. White being the late Cyrus White, of Rockville. Mr. White proved a friend indeed to his competent bookkeeper and fittingly rewarded his faithfulness and general worth with several increases in salary. When the business finally passed into the hands of the Butler, Brown & Co., Mr. Reynolds continued to serve their interests, changing his work, however, to that of traveling salesman, in which capacity he covered the whole of New England. The business afterward was conducted by Brown Brothers & Co., and in 1885 Mr. Reynolds resigned his position to look after the property of his brother Edwin in Mansfield. Up to this time he had made his home in Providence, and in 1890 came to Danielson, and the following year erected the home at No. 7 Hawkins street, in which he has since retired from active business life.

On May 19, 1846, Mr. Reynolds married Elizabeth F. Eaton, born Dec. 31, 1823, a daughter of Artemas and Miriam D. (Draper) Eaton, and who died Nov. 20, 1899. Mrs. Reynolds, who is buried in the Westfield cemetery, was the mother of four children, viz: Ella Elizabeth, who died May 2, 1864, aged fourteen years, three months and twenty-one days; Edna Maria, who died March 16, 1872, at the age of nineteen years, five months and ten days; Cora May, who died Sept. 18, 1866, aged seven months and twenty-six days; and Carrie H., who died Sept. 24, 1863, aged ten months. Mr. Reynolds is a Republican in politics, but has never sought nor held public office. Nor does he belong to any fraternal organization. His services in behalf of the upbuilding of the community include those connected with the organization of the First National Bank of Killingly, of which he was one of the stockholders, and he was clerk of the first meeting held by the organizers. He is entirely self-made, and comes from the ranks of those who build upon a foundation of common sense and unquestioned integrity. No citizen has better earned the honor and esteem of the community, and it is his pride to have never been out of work, never to have looked for a position, and never to have been discharged.

Reproduced by:

Linda D. Pingel

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