San Joaquin
County
Biographies
SYDNEY W.
REYNOLDS
A foremost business man and a successful rancher, Sydney W. Reynolds is a native of San Joaquin County and a son of the well-known and prominent pioneer, Edward Reynolds. Mr. Reynolds is the proprietor of the Big Store in Ripon and his agricultural activities are carried on east of Ripon. where he owns 125 acres devoted to grapes and olives, and also owns eighty acres of the Reynolds homestead in the East Union district of the county. It is needless to say that Mr. Reynolds has been unusually successful in his career, and not only have his diligent efforts rewarded him in material circumstances, but he has also acquired a position of esteem and public worth among his fellow-citizens and business associates. He was born in the East Union district of San Joaquin County on his father's ranch, June 25, 1877, a son of Edward and Saluda (Campbell) Reynolds. both natives of Wisconsin. Edward Reynolds was born in 1844 and was nine years old when his parents started across the plains to California, members of a party under Captain Cutler Salmon, the emigrant train reaching California in October, 1853. Edward Reynolds was educated in the district school, the school being built on a portion of his father's ranch. In young manhood he returned to Wisconsin for his bride, Miss Saluda Campbell, where they were married, and immediately returned to California and their home in San Joaquin County, where they became prominent factors in the growth and progress of the community.
Sydney W. Reynolds received a good education in the East Union district school and in 1896 was graduated from the York Business College. He grew up on his father's ranch and at an early age showed natural business ability. While still in his teens he was put in charge of the cream station at Cowell switch, which is now the thriving town of Manteca, where for two years he conducted this branch of the San Joaquin Creamery. The business grew rapidly, as did the surrounding country, and at the present time Manteca is the center of one of the richest dairy sections of California. Mr. Reynolds then went to Weiser, Idaho, where he worked as a clerk in the postoffice; six months later he went to Kansas City, Mo., where he entered the employ of the street car company; however, he soon became dissatisfied in the Middle West and returned to California, and was employed by the Southern Pacific Railroad Company on the western division, remaining for a year and a half. About this time, in partnership with his brother, Edwin M., he purchased the store of Eastman & McKee in Lathrop, and after a partnership of four years our subject bought his brother's share and successfully conducted the business for another year, when he sold out to J. H. Southwell. In 1908 Mr. Reynolds and F. E. McKee made a trip to Ripon with the idea in mind of opening a store, and the result was that they purchased the store of Yaple & Company, the pioneer store of south San Joaquin County, the business having been carried on for forty years. Under the new management, the business grew rapidly. In September, 1916, Mr. McKee passed away, his interest in the store being retained by his widow and daughter. The store building has been completely remodeled into a modern and attractive establishment and the
interior redecorated. The company carries a complete line of dry goods, ready-to-wear women's and men's apparel, fancy and staple groceries, fruits and
vegetables.
Mr. Reynold's first marriage, which occurred in Stockton in 1901, united him with Miss Mabel S. Fisher, a daughter of John Fisher, pioneer of San Joaquin County. One daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds; Eleanor Lucile. Mrs. Reynolds passed away in 1910. In April, 1913, Mr. Reynolds was married to Miss Bird J. Garrett, youngest daughter of William Garrett, deceased, a pioneer resident of Ripon and prominent as a Calaveras mining expert. Mr. Reynolds has never missed an opportunity to support all movements and measures for the progress and development of the Ripon section. He is vice-president of the First National Bank, a prominent member of the County Fair Association board, the Ripon Merchants Association, and since 1906 has been a member of the I. O. O. F. of Ripon.
Transcribed by V. Gerald Iaquinta.
Source: Tinkham,
George H., History of San Joaquin County, California , Pages 1503-1504. Los Angeles, Calif.: Historic
Record Co., 1923.
©
2012 V. Gerald
Iaquinta.
Golden Nugget Library's San Joaquin County Biographies
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