My great-grandfather was Riley Aultman REEVES, born in Hancock County,
Indiana in 1847.
The story in our family--as I remember hearing it--is that Riley REEVES was
named for the family of poet James Whitcomb Riley. Apparently the two
families were friends. The father of Riley REEVES was Neville REEVES, a
farmer and justice of the peace in Hancock County.
Riley REEVES and James Whitcomb Riley were only two years apart in age,
born in 1847 and 1849 respectively. Part of the family story is that Riley
REEVES was among the childhood playmates of James Whitcomb Riley at the Old
Swimmin' Hole that was later immortalized in J. W. Riley's famous poem.
Riley REEVES served in the Civil War, married Sarah Louisa Crane, and moved
to Trinidad, Colorado and later to the Pacific Northwest. I'd like to hear
from others researching the REEVES family, and I have names and dates that
I can share. But I'd especially like to hear from those who might know more
about any connection between the REEVES and Riley families and the
friendship between the two boys.
Julie Kawabata
Portland, Oregon
jkawa(a)teleport.com