LaSalle County
ILGenWeb

Utica, Ill. - George M. Reynolds, 78, for many years prominent in the  affairs of LaSalle county and state of Illinois, this county's representative in the Illinois senate from 1927 to 1930, died at his residence here at 3 a.m. Thursday.  Death came following a critical illness of one week.
 
A son of pioneer LaSalle county residents, Mr. Reynolds had always been associated with the growth of the community in which he lived, taking a prominent part in the public life of the county, socially, politically and in commerce.
 
He was born on the Reynolds farm in Deer Park township, June 11, 1862, a son of J. C. and Caroline Clayton Reynolds, old and prominent residents of this vicinity.  He was a twin brother of S. W. Reynolds, who died three years ago and also of the late Willis and E. J. Reynolds.
 
Mr. Reynolds obtained his early education in the county school in his home neighborhood and later wishing to advance his education enrolled at Illinois Wesleyan University where he studied for four years.  Upon completion of his schooling he taught for one year.
 
May 29, 1888 he was married to Miss Althea Miller, Bloomington, a member of an old McLean county family.  For a number of years they lived on a farm in Deer Park township, later moving to Utica where they resided since.
 
He became active in the affairs of the republican party at an early age and was selected by voters to fill office for the first time when he was named supervisor of his township, a position he held for two terms.  The voters of LaSalle county also approved of him as a candidate and elected him to the office of LaSalle county treasurer, an office he held for a term of four years.
 
Again the people of the county found him the candidate of their choice in 1926 when he was elected state senator from the 39th senatorial district, representing LaSalle county for four years as a member of the state legislature.  When his term expired in 1930 he refused to seek re-election, ending his duties as a member of the state's law making body.
 
Aside from his public affairs, Mr. Reynolds was one of the organizers of the Utica State bank in 1910 being active in its affairs for five years when he as selected to become president of the institution, a position he held for 20 years, after which he retired.
 
Mr. Reynolds was always an interested student of history, particularly in seeking out new stories about early life in LaSalle county.  One of his particular delights was the study of historical facts pertaining to Ft. Wilbourn, a fortress that stood on a promontory overlooking the Illinois river, directly south of LaSalle.
 
He was a member of all the Masonic bodies, including the 32nd degree and the Shrine.  He was also a member of Sigma Chi fraternity.
 
Surviving him are the widow, one daughter, Mrs. Louise Sims, Utica;  two grandchildren, Gene and George Sims, Utica;  and two great grandchildren, Louise and David R. Sims, Lostant.  One daughter, Miss Helen Reynolds, preceded him in death, having passed away in December of 1926.
 
Masonic funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Utica Baptist church.  Burial will be in the family lot in Oak Hill cemetery.
 

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