With acknowledgements to Charlotte Reynolds and Mary E. Clark for their help
Harry Abbott Reynolds was born October 14, 1863 on the Ranson Clark Donation Claim, in the home near the site of randfather Reynolds last mill and two miles south of Walla Walla. This home which we have always called the yellow house, was built by Almos H. Reynolds in 1861 and is still standing today. It might be interesting to note that wooden legs were used in the building of the house and that the timbers were hewn by hand.
Father's mother came from Portland to Walla Walla in 1859, following the death of her husband Ransom Clark. With her eldest son Charles and her two younger children William and Elizabeth (only a few months old) she lived in the old log cabin on the claim that her husband had filed, called the Ransom Clark Donation Claim. The cabin is standing today on the Harry Reynolds place.
On May 23, 1861 Father's mother, married Almos H. Reynolds, a millwright. They built a home near the old log cabin and it was here that Father was born.
The family remained on the farm for a time and after making several moves, finally located on Second Street on land now occupied by the Federal Building. It was here that Father tells of the Indian squaw Nanny, who every summer pitched her tent in grandmother's back yard. She worked in the house helping with the cleaning and various chores.
Father's home life as a boy was a happy one and made a lasting impression on him. He referred often to the good times with his father and mother, brothers and sisters and the many visitors who came to their home.
A frequent visitor and one much loved was a minister Henry Foster, who because of his affection for the family, wrote a poem called, "Over the Gate to the Reynolds House." The young man a Congregational minister was not able to continue his work here long, due to a susceptibility to consumption, so went to California where he soon passed away.
These were the good old days, when there were pies on the shelves and cookies in the jar and you could have all you wanted at any time. There were chores too, the cows to be brought home in the evening and the wood and kindling to look after.
Grandmother Reynolds was always on hand in case of emergency. If there was a fire and the fire department which was a volunteer one, was called out, she made large pots of coffee to be sent to the firemen wherever they were.
Father says that his first introduction to education was given him by his half brother Charles, who after giving him a sound spanking, successfully taught him the alphabet.
At the age of seven he attended a private school. After that we went to the Baker School. Father often told this story: When Dr. D.S. Baker's railroad was completed, the children in the schools were given a free ride to Wallula. The children were in the open car and the teacher in charge was having considerable difficulty with the discipline. Although Father came accompanied by his mother, he felt that he chould help out in the situation, so stood up and yelled, "Hey teacher, why don't you whack them on the head with your umbrella?" Whereupon his mother said, "Sit down young man or I"ll whack you on the head with my umbrella."
Another story has to do with the Baker School in the early days. The teacher decided to have a reform, to have the children clean up and be neat. So she purchased a bucket, a basin and a comb. One day noticing a stray lock out of place, she picked up the comb and straightened out her hair. After that she was a frequent visitor at grandmother's house, where she had her hair carefully gone over every day with a fine tooth comb.
Father received a part of his secondary education at Whitman Seminary under Captain Lemuel Kaiser Grimm. Since he always referred to his as a great teacher, he must have inspired the students with a respect and desire for education. After this schooling Father attended Forest Grove, now Pacific University. At the age of eighteen, he started east to continue his education at Ann Harbor, Michigan. In those days such a trip was no small undertaking. It was necessary to go to Wallula, then down the Columbia River to Portland. From there the trip was continued by boat to San Francisco. Here was the starting point for those who wished to cross the continent.
At Ann Harbor, Father finished his last year of High School and was ready to enter the University the following year. The educational opportunities offered here made a lasting impression on him. He spoke of President Angell whose personality and friendly ways meant much to the students. The president's study always open, inviting any student to come in and talk over his problems.
Father was graduated in 1886 with a B.A. degree. He was a thoughtful scholar, studious, and had an inquiring nature
Soon after leaving college he was elected to City Council. The younger citizens interested in the progress and development of Walla Walla, determined to rid the town of the cows that romaed over the straw covered streets. It was with this project in view and for this issue that he was elected to the position.
In 1891 he married Bertha C. Truesdell, a graduate of Carleton College, who had come to teach in Whitman Seminary.
He now went into partnership with Max Baumeister and L.B. Paxton in the interests of insurance, real estate and loans.
Father and mother belonged to the Congregational Church and mingled with a group of young people, whose interests and social life centered about the church. Among their activities was the choir, which was both social and inspirational. The Christian Endeavor Society had its beginnings at that time and was a very important part of the church. Because of the very great interest of these young people and their cooperation, the Reverand Mr. Loomis referred to them as the "Preacher's Pets."
One of Father's greates interests was a class of Sunday School boys belonging to the Congregational Church. Every summer he took the class to the mountains for an outing for several days, camping and hunting. He carried on these activities for many years.
He was also superintendent of the Sunday School.
In June 1894 he was appointed Secretary of the Executive Committee and of the Board of Trustees of Whitman College, during the administration of President Eaton. During those early and stormy days where were to determine the fate of the college, Father among others worked with great zeal and loyalty that the institution might survive. Their dream for securing a leader of far vision and influence for good was realized when Dr. S.B.L. Penrose was called to be president of the college.
The institution was on of Father's greatest interests. I found this statement in some of his notes, "I had the great satisfaction of seeing it develop into a privately endowed college of high educational standing and permanent usefulness." At a time when the resources of the college were at low ebb and the institution was apparently destined to close its doors, Father was responsible for providing the financial aid neccessary to start the college going again.
In about 1894 or 1895 he studied law under the Honorable John B. Allen, (later United States Senator) and was admitted to the bar. After following this profession for a few years, he gave it up for reasons of health.
In 1900 Father with his family moved out to the Ranson Clark Donation Claim, which he had purchased a few years previously from the Clark children, Charles, William and Elizabeth. The family lived in the old log cabin while the present house was under construction.
Father liked the country and was interested in the opportunities it offered. The farming which was of a diversified nature, consisted principally of wheat, alfalfa, and a large apple orchard, located on some bottom land. Garden crops were produced also. There were always a few cows, among them some fine Jersey stock.
Father was very fond of horses. One large horse, roan in color and very gentle was used with the family buggy. This horse, Peter by name, possessed almost human intelligence and was a great favorite in the family.
Father took an active part in community affairs and those interests which centered about the school, which in those days was called the Abbott School. He was a director and clerk of the board. Later as the school grew in numbers and new facilities and improvements were needed, he was instrumental in drawing up plans for a new and larger building to be located across the road and on the corner of Howard and Reser Roads. He also saw to it that the materials used in the construction were good and safe. This building with recent additional improvements, is known today as the Prospect Point School.
At this point I might mention particularly the fact that the things nearest to the hearts of both Father and Mother were the things that centered about the church. In this respect their interest and devotion were very vital. Every Thursday night in spite of a hard days work, they would drive to town with the horse and buggy to attend prayer meeting.
In the early days it was quite the common thing to see large families sitting in the church pews. It was noticeable that both children and adults were there.
Father was interested in the church in various capacities. He enjoyed the Men's Club which was a feature of the church for a good many years. At various times he was appointed trustee and also deacon. He helped with financial reports and door to door campaigns for church pledges.
There were good times in the church too, when plays were dramatised. Father took part in these, especially the Dickens Plays in which he was a good actor.
In 1908 he opened up for settlement a portion of the farm known as Prospect Heights, developing at the same time a water system to be used for irrigation and household purposes. The name Prospect Heights was the result of a contest in which the winner suggesting the most suitable name was given a lot.
About this time Father went into the grocery business with Malcolm McLean, whom he admired and respected for his unusual ability. He provided the funds necessary to set the store up in business, with the result that it became a thriving concern.
In the year 1913 Father was elected to the Board of County Commissioners. His candidacy was based on his being for a new court house. In going over some of his records I find this statement, "I still think a new court house should be built. It would settle all questions as to safety, fire proof security for records and sufficient room for years tom come." It was during his term as county commissioner that the present court house was built in 1915. Father served on the board two terms 1913-1916 and worked with untiring zeal that the beautiful edifice we have today might exist. He spent much time and thought in plannig a building that would be structurally sound and safe.
In 1914 and 1915 he became an ardent worker in the campaign that brough in prohibition, for he was firmly convinced that this was the first and most important step in the matter of liquor control.
In 1921 Father was appointed to fill out an unexpired term in the stat legislature. At the end of this period he was urged to file for the same office, but due to a serious illness was unable to carry on the campaign himself. Therefore his friends, prominent among them being William Kirkman, campaigned for him, while he was still in the hospital, with the result that he was elected and served two terms.
After this he returned to farming. In June 1931 Father and Mother made a trip east to Ann Harbor, Michigan to be present at Father's forty fifth class reunion of the University of Michigan.
In November 1931 following the trip mentioned, his wife Bertha C. Reynolds, having contracted pneumonia, passed away.
In the summer of 1934 Father was given an honorary degree of Master of Arts at Whitman College. The following is the citation, which was written for this occasion;
Harry A. Reynolds of Walla Walla, born in this valley, student in Whitman Seminary, graduate of the Universithy of Michigan, whose determination, devotion, and generosity was a major factor in saving this college at a time of deep distress, whose watchful energy and wise counsel have nourished its growth through forty years; exemplar of Christian manhood, civic leadership and far vision.
At this time he again devoted himself to farming interests. He had for neighbors the Italian gardeners neary by who respected him and often came to him with their problems. When distressing circumstances arose in the summer, due to disputes over irrigation water, they came to him for advice.
In one such case, a neighbor who had been unfairly treated, called upon Father to help him. The matter was taken to court and the Italian was granted the use of the water that rightfully belonged to him.
As proof of such friendship he was a frequent visitor, bringing with him garden produce. One day he appeared with a large package, inside which was a fine Stetson hat, which Father really needed very much at the time.
In 1933 Father again served on the Board of County Comissioners, a two year term and a four year term ending in 1938. Since the Blue Mountain Sanatorium, stared in 1930 or 32 was a county project, Father was particularly interested in its development. In order to promote its interests and to better its organization, Father and Mr. Hansen of the first and third districts, made a trip to the Sound, to visit a sanatorium there and to make a study or survey of its methods. Here they met Miss Gillespie, a nurse, whom asked to come to Walla Walla to take charge of the Tuberculosis Sanatorium here. There selection of Miss Gillespie proved to be a fortunate one, for under her supervision the institution prospered and she has been in charge ever since.
After World War I Father was appointed to visit near-by districts for the purpose of helping out people who had gone under financially, due to the depression. In order to give farmers a chance, the banks were urged to cancel their debts and renters urged to disregard rents due. This relief work was extended not only to farmers, but to those of other professions, who were finding it difficult to hold up financially.
For many years Father belonged to a group of men called the Inquiry Club, which met once a month for dinner and to discuss various topics of interest. He enjoyed this club because of the associations it offered and the thought provoking questions that arose at the meetings.
Father passed away October 2, 1948 at the age of eighty-four. His birthday being October 14, he lacked only a few days of being eighty-five. He was suddenly stricken while waiting at the airport for a relative.
Father lived a full and vigorous life and it was fortunate that it ended as it did without a lingering illness.
-- Margaret Reynolds