Memories of her Grandfather George Franklin Reasor & Great Uncle John Edward Reasor
By Phyllis Hopkins
(Via Email)
I never did hear Mother say anything about her father's (George Frank Reasor), siblings. She talked about her Uncle John Reasor. He was quite a record-keeper and probably a frugal person. I say this because Mother gave me a palm-size booklet that had belonged to Uncle John, and believe me, he wrote down everything he bought and the amount. Also, he loaned money to folks, not great amounts, but he recorded it and kept records of the date and amount they paid on their debt.
George Frank Reasor was by trade, a machinist and worked for a railroad company, as did Uncle Walter, his son. My father told me, that in Grandfather George Frank's early years, he was good with horses; could make the shoes (iron) in a blacksmith shop, and knew how to shoe the horse. I think that is outstanding!!
My mother said her father, George Frank Reasor, liked to tease and joke and would playfully tease her mother, (Jennie N.), about her snail-eating relatives. I think "escargot" sounds more palatable....snails, gross!! Grandmother Jennie N. was of English and French descent. She was a dear. We didn't live near them so consequently, we didn't get to see much of them; more of her, though, than our grandfather. She would travel by train to come see us. Mother told me "Reasor" was a name of German descent. Smart people, don't you agree?
Now, about John E. Reasor: I mentioned in an email to you earlier that I opined that Uncle John was a bookkeeper of sorts because the little journal he kept (could fit in my hand, it was that small), had so many entries of bought, sold and loaned. He made sort of a calendar that he kept the hours he or a few workers had worked. He did all of his multiplications and divisions, his additions on the same page or the page next to it. He had figured something pertaining to 7%, and I thought, good heavens, he knew how to figure percentages...he had it right on target. I was amazed! I am not going to start a new paragraph, takes up space. I am wondering if he had some sort of general store because he had names charged for merchandise, not too many people, maybe three or four. But, he showed in places things he had bought, like 200 lbs. Of pork, and chairs, .00 worth, he really sold those..........no way he could have sat on that many!! Imagine butter 20cents a lb. flour .05 cents lb., harnesses, plow shires. He bought a suit of clothes for .00, tie and shirt for .00, a buffalo coat charged to G. F. Reasor for .00. It is mind-boggling, can you believe it!! I love those people, they had it tough, I know, but they were tough to stand it all.
I am continuing with more about Uncle John Edward Reasor. This was a surprise! Found in a book, titled "Morning in Florence", by John Ruskin, was a note on a very small slip of paper, addressed to John E. Reasor from Jennie S. Woodard, dated March 4, 1873. Contents of the note:
Remember me when this you see,
And ever bear in mind to thee,
When others are unkind.
Barely legible, I copied it on another slip of paper, but of course, taking care of the original. Guess Uncle John had an admirer, secret or otherwise. The note so dear, I thought. Could it be the young lady was a lawyer, drumming up business? I'm joking, of course.
I vaguely recall Mother mentioning the name "Crockett", but I can't attach it to anyone or any situation, so I am no help there. But, I think that Esther Woolever's maiden name was Beecher. Reason? Harriett Beecher was a cousin to Grandmother Esther. I imagine Harriett Beecher's father was Grandmother Esther's brother. The Harriett I am speaking of is Harriett Beecher Stowe, author of "Uncle Tom's Cabin", among quite a few other published books. Her father was Lyman Beecher, minister of a Congregational Church in the state of Connecticut. I don't know that this is of any value to you in further research, but this for your info, for what it is worth.
