Angeline Mills Reese
May 5, 1801-June 5, 1895
Niles Weekly Mirror, Wednesday, June 5, 1895; page 1, col. 2, microfilm, Niles District Library (From K. Alton)
"Grandma" Reese, whose maiden name was Angeline Mills, was born near Amsterdam, Montgomery county, New York, May 5, 1801. Her parents were of Welsh descent. At the age of 14, she united with the Presbyterian church. In 1820 she was married to John M. Reese of Sherburne, Chenago county, New York, where she united with the Baptist church.
In 1834 herself and husband, with a family of eight children, moved across the country by team to Michigan, locating near Niles, where they resided for over 46 years and where they celebrated their golden wedding in 1870.
She was bereft of her husband in 1876 after a married life of 56 years. John M. Reese was a soldier of the war of 1812 and his widow has been receiving the pension due her on that account.
Since the death of her husband she has been living with her children and died at the home of her son, J.M. Reese, at Mishawaka, May 27, 1895, at the ripe old age of 94 years and 24 days of no disease, save old age. She was the mother of 13 children, 11 of whom reached maturity, and 6 are still living. They are Mrs. J.C. Nyman (her oldest child, age 74 years) Mrs. J S. Collins, J. Wade Reese, Mrs. Emaline Fowler, Mrs. W. H. Sinclair, and John M. Reese of Mishawaka. Besides these there are 46 grandchildren, 64 great grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren.
A few years ago Mrs. Reese was photographed in a group showing 5 generations.
She had been an earnest and consistent christian for 80 years and her house was ever open to the servants of the Savior and she was a ready and a willing helper of the poor and oppressed.
She united with the First Baptist church of this city in its earliest history and was for the past few years its oldest living member. She knew the trials and tribulations of pioneer life and often spoke of the scenes and incidents of her earlier history. Her memory will be carefully cherished by her living children and friends and all would do well to emulate her noble traits of character.
Also
Niles Republican II, Thursday, June 6, 1895; page 1, col. 1 and 2, microfilm, Niles District Library
Mrs. Angeline Reese, better known as “Grandma” Reese, died at her home of her son John M. Reese at three o’clock Wednesday afternoon, at the advanced age of 94 years. The funeral was held today at Niles, from the Baptist church, of which she had long been a member.
We have not the space today to give as complete a sketch of the remarkable career of the venerable Mother in Israel as could be deserved.
Her maiden name was Angeline Mills. She was born near Amsterdam, N.Y., May 5, 1801. Her parents were of Welsh extraction. In 1820 she was married to John M. Reese, of Sherburne, N.Y., who was a soldier in the war of 1812. In 1834 they, with a family of eight children, drove overland and located near Niles, Mich., where they resided for over 40 years, and where they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. After a married life of 56 years her husband died July 27, 876, at the age of 80. For the past two years Mrs. Reese has resided with her son in this city. She was the mother of 13 children, eleven of whom grew to maturity and six of whom are living, namely: Mrs. J.C. Nyman, of Chicago, who is 74 years of age; Mrs. John Collins and J.W. Reese, of near Niles; Mrs. E. Fowler, of Chicago; Mrs. W. H. Sinclair, of Niles, and J.M. Reese, of Mishawaka. She also leaves 46 grandchildren, 64 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren. Truly a remarkable record.
Mrs. Reese was an earnest Christian and had faithfully served her Master over eighty years.