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Samuel W. Reyner
Born March 4, 1860


Samuel W. Reyner, who since April, 1909, has been acting as postmaster of Hale, Iowa, is also engaged in merchandising in this city, in which connection he is meeting with most gratifying success. One of Jones county's native sons, he was born in Clay township on the 4th of March, 1860, a son of George and Hannah L. (Mackrill) Reyner. The former, who was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on the 4th of November, 1832, was a son of John Reyner, a native of England, who came to the United States with one son, locating in Maryland, where he resided for some time, and then removed to Canton, Iowa, operating the first woolen mill at that place. Later he went to Ozark, erecting a larger woolen mill which he operated in connection with a gristmill, sawmill and store. He continued to make that city his place of residence up to the time of his demise. In his family were seven sons and one daughter. George Reyner, the father of our subject, left his native state and went to Jackson county, Iowa, with his parents in 1852. There he met Miss Hannah L. Mackrill, who was born in Licking county, Ohio, in May, 1834, and went to Jackson county with her parents about the time of the arrival of Mr. Reyner. There they were married and reared their family. The father had followed the occupation of farming until about thirty-one years ago, when he became identified with merchandising, being engaged in that connection for about twenty years both in Canton and Center Junction. He is now living retired, however, in Independence, Missouri, his wife having passed away in Jackson county, Iowa, in November, 1879. Their family consisted of four children, as follows: Nancy, who was called to her final rest when twenty years of age; Joel, operating the home farm at Canton, Iowa; Samuel W., of this review and Maud A., the wife of Homer Spray, of Lorain, Ohio.
On his father's farm in Jones county Samuel W. Reyner spent the first six years of his life and then accompanied his parents on their removal to Jackson county, where he was reared to manhood. He acquired his education in the district schools and at the same time assisted his father in the work of the fields, early becoming familiar with the tasks that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He was married when nineteen years of age, and he started out in the business world on his own account on his father's farm, which he operated for three years, and then resided upon the farm of his father-in-law for a similar period. He next carried on agricultural pursuits as a renter, being thus engaged until about ten years ago, when he purchased a farm of two hundred and ninety acres in Clay township, Jones county. Upon this farm he resided for three years, when he sold the property and purchased a farm in Jackson county near Canton, consisting of two hundred and twenty-five acres. This he traded on the 1st of December, 1908, for his present property in Hale, upon which stands a two-story structure, with basement, twenty-eight by sixty-six feet. In this building he has since been engaged in general merchandising and has built up a most creditable trade, his good business ability and capable management being the salient characteristics in his present success. He also owns a good residence property in this city, upon which stands a comfortable and attractive dwelling, where he and his family now make their home.
It was on the 10th of November, 1880, that Mr. Reyner was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Carr, a native of Dewitt, Clinton county, Iowa, born June 9, 1864, a daughter of George and Mary (Tripp) Carr. The parents were both natives of Onondaga county, New York, the father being born on the 10th of December, 1818, and the mother on the 14th of January, 1819. They were married in the Empire state and removed to Iowa about 1857, coming to Jones! county when their daughter, Mrs. Reyner, was about four years of age. The father, who was a farmer by occupation, passed away January 30, 1889, while his wife survived until the 12th of March, 1909. In their family were the following children: Stephen, of Alliance, Nebraska; Rosetta, the wife of T. E. Moore, of Canton; Winfield S., residing in Canton; and Mary A., who became the wife of our subject. Three children died in infancy. Unto the union of Mr. and Mrs. Reyner were born seven children, as follows: Charles A., who passed away when eighteen years of age; George M., residing in Butte, Montana; Lena, the wife of Charles Haynor, of Hale; Frank, at home; Allen Emery; Harlan Winfield; and Hazel May, who died at the age of one year. To the principles of the republican party Mr. Reyner has given stalwart allegiance since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, and upon this ticket he was appointed postmaster of Hale on the 1st of April, 1909. He is proving a very capable official, performing his duties in connection with that office in a manner entirely satisfactory to his fellow citizens. Fraternally he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and with the Mutual Benevolent Association, in both of which he is an active member, the rules governing his life being in entire harmony with the principles upon which these organ izations are founded. At all times his life record measures up to a high standard of manhood and whether in business, social or public relations, he deserves the esteem of those with whom he comes in contact.

Source: History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 480.

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