My Genealogy Hound

Joseph L. Reese, one of the most prominent citizens and leading farmers of Independence township, Oakland County, resides upon a beautifully situated farm of 216 acres in section 7, which he has occupied since 1865. Mr. Reese is a fine type of the progressive, industrious and successful Michigan agriculturist, a class that reflects honor upon the State. He was born in Pembrokeshire, Wales, December 8, 1836, and is a son of John and Alice Reese, both of whom were also natives of Wales.

John Reese was born April 1, 1797, and in his native land followed the blacksmith’s trade. In 1848 he brought his family to America, locating first in Ohio, but in the spring of 1849 removing to Michigan and settling in Springfield township, Oakland County. He engaged in farming and in stock raising. He was married in his native land and a family of 10 children was born to him, as follows: Mrs. Rebecca Orchard, of Chicago, Illinois; James, deceased; William; Nathaniel, a ship carpenter; Alice, deceased; Joseph L.; Mrs. Martha Knox, of Springfield township, Oakland County; David, deceased; Mrs. Elizabeth Orchard, of Bedford, Ohio; and John, a retired farmer living at Topeka, Kansas.

Joseph L. Reese grew to manhood as a farmer and it was with money earned in agricultural work that he and his younger brother, David, came to the present home of Mr. Reese and became the owners of it. They worked amicably together, the association being broken by the death of David Reese on December 24, 1900. The land has been devoted to general farming, fruit culture and stock raising, each branch under Mr. Reese’s careful and intelligent management being equally successful. Formerly he devoted much attention to his crops of wheat and other grains but latterly he has given more care to the breeding of stock and to the raising of potatoes, a crop which seldom fails, one peculiarly adapted to the soil and one for which there is always the greatest demand.

Mr. Reese was married to Anna Daniels, who was born in Independence township, Oakland County, and was a daughter of William and Amy Daniels. Mr. Reese married for his second wife, Hettie Jefferson, who was born in Genoa, Michigan, and is a daughter of Edwin and Amanda Jefferson, natives of New York who now resides at Clarkston, Oakland County. The large and beautiful home, surrounded by all necessary farm buildings, was built by our subject and brother. It is one of the finest appearing farms in the township and Mr. Reese, its fortunate owner, is credited with being one of the leading capitalists of Independence township. He is a reliable man and upright citizen and is held in very high esteem.