Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 854 - 857

SYLVESTER C. REECE. Among the prominent and extensive agriculturists of Attica Township there is probably none who enjoys a greater amount of esteem and respect or is more widely known than the gentleman whose name heads this article. His residence upon section 27, where he owns some 320 acres of fine land, is a model in its way and with its surroundings makes up one of the prettiest views to be found in the county. He is a native of Yadkin County, N. C., born April 17, 1845, and is the son of Alvin and Grace E. (Mackie) Reece, both of whom were also natives of the Old North State.

            The father of our subject was born Jan. 26, 1810, and had learned the hatter's trade in his youth from his father, but later in life became a farmer and is still living in North Carolina. He has been married three times. By the first marriage there were three children born, of whom we have the following account: William served in the Union army during the late Civil War, and died in January, 1887, in Missouri, leaving five children. John, who was also a soldier in the Federal army, is living in Andrew County, Mo.; Columbus died at the age of sixteen. By his second marriage, Mr. Reece, Sr., was the father of six children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the eldest. The others were as follows: Mary, Mrs. Henry Shores, lives in Attica Township; Miles E., a resident of Afton Township; Milette, Mrs. John Gough, resides in North Carolina; Daniel H. and Martin L., twins, died in infancy.

            The boyhood days of our subject were spent upon his father's farm, and while he assisted in the labors that fell to his share, also attended school and received his education in that neighborhood. When he was about sixteen years of age he learned the hatter's trade of an uncle, but never followed the business after the expiration of his apprenticeship. When he was about eighteen years of age he was drafted into the Confederate army, and served until in February, 1865. He participated in many of the engagements of the late Civil War, the principal of which was that of Petersburg, Va., and came out of the service without a wound. On his discharge, at the close of the war, he removed to Andrew County, Mo., where he had two brothers living, and for one of these he worked about a year. He then rented a tract of land and commenced farming operations on his own account, and made his home in that locality until 1873, when he came to Kansas, and settling in Sedgwick County, purchased his present home of a cousin who had pre-empted it. Since that time he has bought 160 acres more, which lie directly east of the original place, and thus has as fine a piece of farming property as can be found in the county. It is well improved, having on it a good, commodious and handsome dwelling, neat and substantial barns and other out-buildings.

            With a natural desire to establish a home and surround himself with domestic ties, Feb. 7, 1883, Mr. Reece wedded Miss Alice E. Holcomb, daughter of Lewis and Lucetta (Flynn) Holcomb. The lady of his choice is also a native of Yadkin County, N. C., and was born Jan. 22, 1861. By this marriage there have been born three children, as follows: Virgil A., who was born June 24, 1884; Melville W., born May 20, 1886, and Artie Leon, whose birth took place Dec. 24, 1887. The father of Mrs. Reece was twice married, but she is the second child in a family of nine born of the first marriage. The other children are as follows: Wiley C., who was born Dec. 21, 1859; Mary E., whose birth took place April 20, 1863; William L., Isabel, Preston, Adair, Ida and Aaron C. The last-named died in infancy. By the second marriage of Mr. Holcomb there were no children. Her father is still living, and enjoying the declining years of life in his native State, North Carolina.

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