History of Clarion County, Pennsylvania, 1887



David Reynolds Biography

David Reynolds was born in Kittanning, Armstrong county, Pa., October 12, 1840, and received his education in Turtle Creek, and Sewickly Academy in Allegheny county.

His father, Alexander Reynolds, was born in Huntingdon county, Pa., in 1808, and married Martha Deniston, of Indiana county, Pa., in 1838, to whom were born David, Sarah D. (Cunningham), John D., (at present a partner in Redbank Furnace), Ellen T. (Thompson), Eliza P., who married Captain Mays, now in the regular army; and Alexander, Jr., living in Kittanning. He, in company with Ritchey, built Redbank Furnace, in Armstrong county. It is located about eight miles above the mouth of Redbank Creek. He afterwards became a partner in Redbank Furnace, in Clarion county, Pa. He was a substantial business man, and thoroughly understood the manufacture of iron, and the management of furnaces. Died in October, 1881.

David Reynolds married Martha M. Detrich, of Birmingham, Huntingdon county, Pa., January 31, 1867, by whom he has had two sons and two daughters, all living - Sarah D., Harry A., Kizzie D., and David, Jr. In 1859 Mr. Reynolds came to the present site of Redbank Furnace, where he has lived ever since, taking charge of the store and superintending the building of the furnace, in which he was a partner. He has had the general management of all connected with the furnace through all its changes in ownership, improvements, etc., a position which he still holds.

The firm known as McCullough & Reyonlds purchased at and about the mouth of Redbank, in 1859, fifteen hundred acres of land rich in iron ore, coal, and fire-clay, and built the furnace during the same year. McCullough retired from the firm in 1865, John Moorhead buying his interest. Moorhead retired in 1879 and the firm became Alexander Reynolds & Sons. After the death of the senior member of the firm, it became David and John D. Reynolds, the present owners and managers. During the panic of 1873, and during all the fluctuations in the iron industry, this furnace under the efficient management of David Reynolds has stood the severest tests. During the Parker oil excitement he was engaged to some extent in the oil business, and is at present dealing in real estate in West Virginia.

Though scarcely in the prime of life, yet he has already accomplished a fair life's work. He is courteous to everybody, always trusted by the other members of the firm and all persons with whom he has dealt; his word is never questioned. His modesty, untiring energy, and excellent judgment, have been of value to him and all others with whom he has had business relations.


Source: History of Clarion County; Davis, A. J.; Syracuse, NY; D. Mason and Co., 1887.












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