Is it possible that after only 60 years America has forgotten him?

Question

Our family history has been kept in a suitcase for about 60 years. I've found dozens of published newspaper articles about my great great grandfather Harry Alanson Reese, M.D. in this suitcase. He made great strides in teaching on Heredity and the importance of performing C-Sections with transverse babies and also helping those around you, opening missions and making free house visits to the poor.

Yet I cannot locate ONE piece of information on him. Nothing on ancestry.com, or any search on the internet. I've been searching for days. My family is not a close one, so finding out more is hard.

What now? Any help is very appreciated!

He was born 1/23/1868 to David Reese and Elzema (Taylor) Reese in Saline County, Kansas and died 4/25/1949 in Yarnell, Arizona where he had spent many years working in a Mexican mission as an MD.

He married Jennie Fisher Shultz 9/5/1894. They had 4 children: Alba David, Ursilla Elzema, Gerald Gouldin, and Harry Harvey.

Answer 1

I found him in the 1930 U.S. Census on ancestry.com

Dr. Harry A. Reese and Jennie S. Reese (from Pennsylvania) are living in Yuma, AZ (right along the Mexican border). He is a 'medical doctor' w/ a health office.

Have you seen this tree online? (see below)  There is an email address and perhaps the person who researched this could be of assistance to you?

** Reese> Wales> IN> IL> KS;

** Henry Reese

** b. in Wales d. in Oquawka, Henderson Co., IL

***** 1st m. Unknown

***** child: David

***** David Reese b. Abt 1833 Switzerland Co., IN

***** d. May 1, 1900, Salina, Saline Co., KS

***** m. Elzema H. Taylor

***** ** June 11, 1863, Galesburg, IL

***** b. January 29, 1838 Sangamon Co., IL

***** d. March 2, 1925 Topeka, KS

***** 7 children William H., Harry A., Minnie E.,

***** Isa J., Daisy B., David A., and Lottie May.

**

***** 2nd m. Tracy Wells

***** children: Michael, Alanson, William, Martin,

***** and Belle.

***** Of these children Alanson Reese:

***** Alanson Reese

***** b. August 10, 1840 Oquawka, Henderson Co, IL

***** d. November 2, 1925 Gypsum, Saline Co., KS

***** m. Lydia Ann Duvall

***** ** December 16, 1869 Henderson Co., IL

***** ** at Bride's Home

***** b. January 14, 1847 Nelson Co., KY

***** d. May 8, 1923 Gypsum, Saline Co., KS

***** 4 children: Infant Daughter, William

***** Franklin, Clara Isabelle, and Harry Edward.

Source:  http://hometown.aol.com/mcnaryca/myhomep...

(Go to "McNary Family")

Answer 2

Here is a copy of his death certificate

http://genealogy.az.gov/azdeath/088/1088...

Since you have a death date and place, you might want to order an obituary.

Here is Harry Harvey's birth certificate

http://genealogy.az.gov/azbirth/405/405-...

Here is the family in 1900

Source Citation: Year: 1900; Census Place: Stillwater, Payne, Oklahoma; Roll: T623 1341; Page: 29A; Enumeration District: 190.

Household Members: Name Age

Harry A Reese 32  

Jannie D Reese 26  

Alba R Reese 4  

Ursilla e Reese 3  



Here he is in 1910

Source Citation: Year: 1910; Census Place: Lowell, Cochise, Arizona; Roll: T624_38; Page: 1A; Enumeration District: 9; Image: 691.

Household Members: Name Age

Harry A Ruse 43  

Jennie S Ruse 34  

Alba R Ruse 15  

Urailla Ruse 13  

Gerald Ruse 8  

Harry Ruse 1  



In 1920

Source Citation: Year: 1920;Census Place: Bisbee Ward 2, Cochise, Arizona; Roll: T625_46; Page: 8B; Enumeration District: 4; Image: 667.

Household Members: Name Age

Harry Reese 51  

Jennie Reese 46  

Gerald Reese 17  

Harry Reese 10



In 1930

Source Citation: Year: 1930; Census Place: Yuma, Yuma, Arizona; Roll: 63; Page: 1A; Enumeration District: 25; Image: 964.0.

Household Members: Name Age

Harry A Reese 62  

Jennie S Reese 56

Answer 3

(Notice how his middle name is spelled--AlaMson, instead of AlaNson)--from www.rootsweb.com:

Harry Alamson Reese

Birth: 23 JAN 1867 in Salina, Saline Co, Kansas

Death: 25 APR 1949 in Yarnell, Yavapai Co, Arizona

             Married: 5 SEP 1894 to

Jennie (Jane) Fisher Shultz

Birth: 18 NOV 1873 in Huntingdon Co, Pennsylvania

Death: 27 JAN 1958 in Prescott, Yavapai Co, Arizona

      (Her  Father: Thomas Shultz b: 21 NOV 1840 in Franklin, Huntingdon Co, Pennsylvania & Mother: Ursilla M. Fisher b: 26 MAY 1848 in Pennsylvania)

Harry & Jennie's   Children

Alba Roy David Reese b: 18 JUN 1895 in Assaria, Saline Co, Kansas

Ursilla Elzema Reese b: JAN 1897 in Saline Co, Kansas

Gerald Gouldin Reese b: ABT 1902 in Payne Co, Oklahoma

Harry Reese b: 4 APR 1909 in Dopuglas, Cochise Co, Arizona

Harry's parents:

David Reese

Birth: 18 JUN 1832 in Switzerland Co, Indiana

Death: 1 MAY 1900 in Salina, Saline Co, Kansas

          Married:

Elzima H. Taylor (also spelled Elzema)--got several of her ancestors.

Birth: 29 JAN 1838 in Galesburg, Knox Co, Illinois

Death: 5 MAR 1925 in Topeka, Shawnee Co, Kansas

         Their children:

William M. Reese b: 24 APR 1864 in Oneda, Knox Co, Illinois

Harry Alamson Reese b: 23 JAN 1868 in Salina, Saline Co, Kansas  (also known as Henry)

Minnie Elzima Reese b: 13 APR 1870 in Salina, Saline Co, Kansas

Daisy Belle Reese b: 14 OCT 1872 in Salina, Saline Co, Kansas

Isa Jane Reese b: 19 JUL 1875 in Salina, Saline Co, Kansas

Lottie May Reese Reese b: 13 MAR 1878

David Albert Reese b: 23 JUL 1881 in Kansas

www.familysearch.org--(notice first name spelling)

1880 United States Census

Hary A. REESE

Birth Year <1868>  

    Birthplace KS  

    Age 12  

    Occupation  

    Marital Status S <Single>  

    Race W <White>  

    Head of Household David REESE

    Relation Son  

    Father's Birthplace IN  

    Mother's Birthplace IL  

Census Place Solomon, Saline, Kansas



www.ancestry.com

1930 United States Federal Census

Name: Harry A Reese

Home in 1930: Yuma, Yuma, Arizona

Age: 62

Estimated Birth Year: abt 1868  

Birthplace: Kansas  

Relation to Head of House: Head  

Spouse's Name: Jennie S

Race: White

Occupation/Field--Medical Doctor; Health Officer (on original view)

Household Members: Name-- Age

Harry A Reese-- 62  

Jennie S Reese-- 56  

1920 United States Federal Census

Name:  Harry Reese  

Spouse:  Jennie

Birth:  abt 1869 - Kansas

Residence:  1920 - Bisbee Ward 2, Cochise, Arizona

Family tree:

Harry's parents--David Reese

Born:  18 Jun 1832 ,Switzerland, Indiana, USA  

Died:  1 May 1900 ,Salina, Saline, Kansas, USA  

           Marriage: 11 Jun 1863 in Galesburg, Kansas to:

Elzema H Taylor

Born: 29 Jan 1838 in Galesburg,  Illinois, USA

Died: 5 Mar 1925 in Topeka, Kansas, USA

    Their children:

William M Reese  M 24 Apr 1864 in Oneda, Knox, Illinois, USA    

Harry Alamson Reese  M 23 Jan 1867 in Salina, [county], Kansas, USA    

Minnie Elzema Reese  F 13 Apr 1870 in Salina, [county], Kansas, USA    

Daisy Belle Reese  F 14 Oct 1872 in Salina, [county], Kansas, USA    

Isa Jane Reese  F 14 Oct 1872 in Salina, [county], Kansas, USA    

Daisy Bell Reese  F 19 Jul 1875    

Charlotta Reese  F 13 Mar 1878 in Salina, [county], Kansas, USA    

Lottie May Reese  F 13 Mar 1878    

David Albert Reese  M 21 Jul 1881

  (Note: From obituary; said when he was quite young he moved to IL. In 1865 he moved from IL in a covered wagon to Saline county, KS where he lived till his death)

Harry's maternal grandparents:

William S Taylor

Born:  22 Feb 1806,  Ohio, USA  

Died:  13 Mar 1872

Salina, Saline, Kansas,  

        Marriage 1-- abt 1824 ; spouse unknown

Son--Noble John Taylor--  M--b. 16 Jun 1825 in Galesburg, ILL.

         Marriage 2: abt 1830 --spouse unknown; daughter 's name unknown

        Marriage 3: 11 Mar 1834 in Rush, Indiana to:

Nancy Green Heflin (also listed as Nancy Greene (Mary) Heflin Blue)

Born: 8 Jun 1807 in Fleming, Mason, Kentucky, USA

Died: 2 Feb 1900 in Salina,  Kansas

       Their children:

Olive Ethelina Taylor  F 17 Feb 1835    

Elzema H Taylor  F 29 Jan 1838 in Galesburg,  Illinois, USA    (Harry's Mom)

Malissa A Taylor  F 1840 in Galesburg, Illinois, USA    

Sharlott Taylor  F 1843 in Galesburg,  Illinois, USA    

Galveston Taylor  M 5 May 1845 in Mercer,  Illinois, USA    

Elvin Heflin Taylor  M 1848 in Mercer, Illinois, USA

Harry's maternal GREAT-GRANDPARENTS**

**1st---George W Taylor

Born:  18 May 1779 ,Washington,  Pennsylvania, USA  

Died:  22 Sep 1873 ,Marshall, Indiana, USA  

        Marriage 1: abt 1803  to:

Martha Ballenger

Born: 1783

Died:

       Their Children:

Isaac Taylor  M      

Joshua Taylor  M      

George Taylor  M      

Nancy Taylor  F      

John Nelson Taylor  M      

Josiah Taylor  M      

Elisha Taylor  F      

Eleanor Taylor  F      

Mahala Taylor  F      

Rosanna Taylor  F      

Jacob Taylor  M      

Elizabeth Taylor  F      

Mary Taylor  F      

William S Taylor  M 22 Feb 1806

Spouse 2 --Marriage: 1840    

Rachel Stevens



Spouse 3-- Marriage: 1846    

Mary Smith



**2nd GREAT-GRANDPARENTS (maternal)

Henry Taylor

Born:  1738 ,Cecil,  Maryland, USA  

Died:  8 Oct 1801, Washington, Maryland, USA

         Marriage: 1772 in Pennsylvania to:

Jane Jean White

Born: 1747 in  Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA

Died: 1835 in Washington,  Pennsylvania

          Their Children:

Ann Taylor  F  Washington, Pennsylvania, USA    

Matthew Taylor  M 1 Aug 1775 in South Strabane, Washington, Pennsylvania, USA    

Joseph Taylor  M Aug 1777 in South Strabane Township, Washington, Pennsylvania, USA    

John Taylor  M 23 Jan 1779 in South Strabane Township, Washington, Pennsylvania, USA    

George W Taylor  M 18 May 1779 in Washington, Pennsylvania, USA    

Henry Taylor  M 1781    

James Taylor  M Apr 1782    

Jane Taylor  F Jan 1788    

Mary Taylor  F Sep 1790    

Eliza Taylor  F 1792

(NOTES: Henry was a Revolutionary War Veteran, In 1793, after the Revolution, he was a Brigadier-General (or 1 star). This is after the period recognized by the DAR (1775-1783).

Henry's  web page gives more info about him:

http://www.phillipsplace.net/genealogy/p...

Henry Taylor, 1790 U.S. Census

Head of Household••Henry Taylor, Esqr.

Males 16 and over••1 << Henry, about age 51

Males under 16••6 << sons Matthew, Joseph, John, Henry, James, George W.

Females••4 << wife Jane, daughters Mary and Ann, one other female, perhaps mother-in-law?

Henry Taylor Esqr. household, 1790 U.S. census, Washington County, Pennsylvania, p. 146, National Archives Microfilm M-637, Roll 9

Photo of Henry's death as recorded in family Bible:

http://www.phillipsplace.net/genealogy/w...

(Notes 2: The following is transcribed from pages 292-295 of the "Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania," Vol 1, J.H. Beers & Co., 1893, reprinted by the Closson Press, Apollo, PA, November, 1994.

"The first of his family to come to Washington county was Henry Taylor, who moved hither from Cecil county, Md., some time prior to 1780. Washington county was erected in March, 1781, and Henry Taylor became the first judge or president of courts therein, his appointment, which was dated October 2, 1781, coming from the chief executive council of Pennsylvania. He served with much ability as judge some years, and after a short interval was reappointed September 30, 1788, to the same position. He married Jane White, who bore him eleven children, of whom Matthew was the grandfather of the subject of these lines. Henry Taylor took up "tomahawk right" to over 1,200 acres of land in the Rich Hills, in this county, all of which, with the exception of the Matthew Taylor estate, of South Strabane township, has passed out of the family. This sturdy old pioneer passed away from the scenes of his busy and eventful life in 1800. In addition to his civil offices, he was a general in the militia, and his commission is still in the possession of the family.")

(Notes 3: Some time prior to the Revolutionary war, Henry Taylor, the first ancestor of the family under consideration, took up 1,000 acres of land in South Strabane township, part of which is now in the possession of Matthew Taylor's heirs.

He was married to Jane White, whose home was at the stone house still standing near the County Home, Washington county, Penn.; she had ten brothers and one sister. In those days all the grain was gathered by the hand sickle, Mr. White's ten sons reaping grain in the same field with their father, who prided himself in his farming, and was always out to see that it was properly done. The father of this family was the first judge of Washington county. In 1800 Judge Taylor built the first brick house ever erected in Washington county, Penn., the walls of which are eighteen inches thick from foundation to top; it is still standing, apparently as good as ever, and is now owned by the Willets."

Henry's will can be seen at http://awtc.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi...

This complex will apparently resulted in difficulties for some of the executors, and they withdrew from the duty. Also, it appears that his daughter Ann was unmarried at this time. There is no mention of his son George in the will, so George may have died prior to the time this will was written. Also, there is no mention of his other two daughters, Jane and May. It is probable that they were older than Ann and had already married.)

(NOTE 4: Jane White was 42 and had borne six sons before any daughters were born to help with the household tasks. Let us hope there were servants around! She was over the age of 46 at the birth of her last child, yet lived to be 89.