Los Angeles County, CA, Biographies

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S. G. REYNOLDS.
 
        There is not in Los Angeles County, perhaps, a man more worthy the title 
of true pioneer than is he whose name stands at the head of this biographical 
notice. He is one of the very first who came to the county. When a boy twelve 
years of age he landed in this State, and knows full well all the hardships and 
privations of frontier life. But by thrift and economy and by co-operation of 
his excellent wife he has made a home, and reared a large and intelligent family 
of children. Mr. Reynolds was born in Yalobusha County, Mississippi, May 29, 
1834. His father, Simeon Reynolds, was of Irish extraction and was born in Rhode 
Island. He married Florinda Sullivant, of Bedford County, Tennessee, and 
daughter of James Sullivant, whose ancestors were Scotch. Mr. Reynolds is the 
fifth of a family of eight children. He attended the common schools of 
Coffeeville, Mississippi, when a boy. When he was eight years old his mother 
died and his father afterward married again. While yet a mere boy our subject 
went to Texas, and with Major Erskin joined a train for California, spending 
eight months in crossing the plains and driving 1,500 cattle. Twice they were 
attacked by Indians, and some of the work cattle were killed. After experiencing 
hardships and adventures incident to the overland trip they landed in California 
in November, 1854. For some time young Reynolds worked in the mines, and later 
purchased 160 acres of land in El Monte, which he farmed for three years. After 
this he was in the stock business five years. In 1865 he bought the farm where 
he has since lived. Where he beheld the mustard fifteen feet high, and where 
there was not the smallest switch of timber, the passer-by now beholds a 
comfortable farm residence, and productive fields, and orchards and vineyards 
laden with luscious fruits. Mr. Reynolds was married in this county, in 1865, to 
Miss Martha Thompson. Her parents were Samuel and Margaret (McKamy) Thompson, 
the father a native of Virginia and the mother of Tennessee. They were pioneers 
of California, in 1852, and had a family of four children. The father died about 
seven years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds have eleven children: Flora, Robert, 
John, William, Linnie M., Emma, Joseph B., Davis, Ralph, and George. Mr. 
Reynolds has held the office of deputy sheriff of Los Angeles County for ten 
years, and has also served in other public offices. He is a highly respected 
citizen and has a cordial welcome for all, and is noted for that true 
hospitality which is characteristic of the Southern people generally.
  
An Illustrated History of Los Angeles County, California �  Chicago, The Lewis 
Publishing Company, 1889   Page 608
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler