REIGHARD, Jacob Hyman & Ellis W.
Commemorative and Biographical Record of Columbia, Sauk and Adams Counties, 
WI. Chicago: Ogle, 1901, p 455-456

Jacob Hyman REIGHARD, deceased, was for many years one of the respected and 
prosperous farmers of Sauk County. His home was one of the fine farms of 
Westfield Township, and the family residence was on section 7. The estate is 
now conducted by his son, Ellis W. REIGHARD, and has all the adjuncts of a 
model country home.

Jacob Hyman REIGHARD was born in Williamsport [probably Williamsport in 
Lycoming County, not Williamsport in Northampton County], PA, 24 Apr 1824, 
and was a son of Jacob and Lucy (HYMAN) REIGHARD. His father was a 
blacksmith and conducted the business in Williamsport, PA, and later kept a 
hotel at Jersey Shore [Lycoming County], PA. He died at LaPorte [LaPorte 
County], IN, at the age of 68 years. His wife survived him several years, 
her death occurring at LaPorte, IN, aged over 70 years. The father was a 
member of the Methodist church and a man of exemplary character.

Our subject attended the public schools at Jersey Shore [Lycoming County], 
PA, and after completing his education learned the machinist's trade at 
Wheeling [Ohio County], WV. He started a flint glass works at Pittsburgh, 
PA, where he continued until the breaking out of the Civil war. In the fall 
of 1861 he enlisted in Company G, 14th PA Cavalry, and was commissioned 1st 
Lieutenant. He spent about two years in WV in opposition to the noted 
Confederate leader, Mosby, in campaigns about Winchester and Lowden Heights. 
He was injured by his horse falling on him, and never fully recovered from 
the accident. He resigned his commission and was discharged from the 
service, and when he sufficiently recovered was engaged as manager of the 
flint glass works at Wheeling, VA [WV], wherein he continued his interests 
for a number of years. He purchased a tract of 200 acres of wild land in 
Westfield Township, Sauk County, WI, in 1854, and from time to time added 
improvements to the place, and about 1875 moved onto the estate. He 
conducted farming and also dealt in farming implements on his place until his 
death.

Mr. REIGHARD was married 02 Oct 1844 at Lock Haven [Clinton County], PA, to 
Caroline DORNECK, daugher of John and Mary (PALMER) DORNECK, of Lock Haven. 
Mr. REIGHARD's father was born in Philadelphia, and was of German or Prussian 
and English descent. His father was an [p 456] importer of indigo and was 
lost at sea while on a voyage to India. His mother bore the maiden name of 
Eliza WILSON. Mrs. REIGHARD's father carried on the saddlery business at 
Salona [Clinton County], PA, many years, and later moved to OH, and from 
thence to Sauk County, WI, where he died in 1870, aged over 73 years. Mrs. 
REIGHARD's mother was born in MD and lived for some years in Baltimore, and 
died in Flushing [Belmont County], OH, early in the 1860's. Mrs. Caroline 
REIGHARD was born in Lancaster County, PA, 15 Mar 1825, and is still enjoying 
good health, and is active in mind and body. Mr. and Mrs. REIGHARD were the 
parents of three children, two of whom died in infancy. The only surviving 
child, Ellis W., now conductes the homestead farm. Jacob Hyman REIGHARD 
passed away in Westfield Township, Sauk County [WI], 19 Nov 1888. He was 
respected as an earnest worker and loyal citizen; his death was mourned by a 
large circle of friends.

Ellis W. REIGHARD was born at Jersey Shore [Lycoming County], PA, 09 Jan 
1846. He was educated in the public schools of Pittsburg, PA, and at the age 
of 13 years became shipping clerk in a wholesale establishment at Pittsburgh. 
When the Civil war broke out, although he was but 15 years of age, he was 
almost a man in stature and was enthused with the Union cause. He 
accordingly enlisted in the 5th PA Volunteer Infantry, but his father 
declined consent to his going into the service. Soon after, however, he ran 
away from home and in Fort Wayne, IN, assisted in recruiting Company A, 19th 
IN Volunteer Infantry. He was entitled to a lieutenant's commission, but the 
governor of IN, learning his extreme youth, refused to grant the commission. 
He soon after joined his father and spent one year in the field. After the 
close of the war he returned to WI, since which time he has conducted the 
home farm, with the exception of three years spent as bookkeeper for the 
wholesale hardware firm of A. J. Tucker & Company, of Grand Rapids, MI.

Mr. REIGHARD introduced the steam thresher into Sauk County [WI], and 
continued the operation of a machine for 20 years. The farm which now he now 
conducts covers 160 acres and is well adapted to general farming. The family 
residence is situated on an eminence commanding a charming view of Narrows 
Prairie, and in both exterior and interior appointments bespeaks the taste 
and culture of its inmates.

Ellis W. REIGHARD was married in 1868 to Asa HOLMES, daughter of Joshua and 
Rosy HOLMES, of Sandusky, Sauk County, WI. Mrs. REIGHARD's father was a 
native of OH, and her mother was born in NY. They were early settlers of 
Sauk County, and her father died at Sandusky [Sauk County, WI] in 1862, aged 
64 years. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. REIGHARD, Clyde and 
Grace. Mr. REIGHARD is an active member of his community, and has held 
office on the school board for the past 16 years. He is a Republican in 
political sentiment, holding the views advocated by his father. He has 
attended as delegate numerous county conventions and three congressional 
conventions. He is a man of broad mind and good character, and highly 
respected in his community.

Contributed by Cathy Kubly