Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1878-05-01
Monies Brown.

of the late Barney b. Reynolds, and
whose history comprises matter of much
interest. Her maiden name was Monica
Brown. She was born in the southern
portion of St. Mary's county, Maryland,
in February, 1888. Her father moved up
the country in 1913 and settled near
Badt nsburg, about thirty miles from
Baltimore, and within An miles of the
national capital. While living here,
and in 1899, she saw Gen. Washington,
and remembers him distinctly and the
circumstances attending the meeting.
He was on his return to Mount Vernon,
and she, on horseback, on her way to
church. Ahead of her was an old man,
with his wife, who had served under
Washington. The old soldier saluted his
general, when the carriage stopped, the
doors were flung open, when the soldier
advanced and Washington shook hands
with him and his wife. Pleasant con.
versation followed, and it appeared the
soldier was survivor of Valley Forge,
had served through the war, and Wash
ingtOn remembered him. During the
time, of course, all stopped and were
intensely occupied in gazing upon the
Father of his country" She is vividly
impressed to this day with the sight, and
says he looked "just as he
does in the pictures. She re.
members Mr.. Burns. who owned
the land on which the city of Washing
ton is built, distinctly, and a daughter
of his who was quite a belle at the time
and afterward married Mr.. VanNess.
She remembers meeting Thomas Jefferson
at one time on the outskirts of Wash.
ington inspecting cannon, and knew
Billie Barlow, the popular ambassador to
England, we'll. In 1911 her father re-
moved to Kentucky, and settled between
Louisville and Beardstown. Here she
became acquainted with her future hus-
band, Barney b. Reynolds, and was mar
ried to him by Bishop David at St.
~homas, at the time place of educa-
ton, July 6, 1918. David Ignatius .Rey-
nolds, subsequently Bishop Reynolds, of
South Carolina, served as clerk, at mass,
in the ceremonies of the marriage. Her
husband fought under General jackson
at the battle of New Orleans and she re-
ceives a pension for such service. In
1928 Mr.. and Mrs. Reynolds removed to
Illinois and settled at what is now
known as Paris, in Edgar county. Here
they remained until the year 1916, when
they removed to this place, arriving May
II. Mr.. Reynolds died in April, 1871,
and since that time Monica Brown has
remained alone. She has wonderful
versatility, and ID sprightly beyond Gre
dence. She is the mother of eleven
children with but few living, and none
of whom are in wisconsin. She keeps
house all alone, does her own work,
washing included, and is constant At
tendant at church. She is a devout
Catholic, untiring in charitable acts and
deeds of kindness, and has always q
good word in cheer and greeting for any
and all. Her mind seems perfectly clear,
and she retains her faculties wonderfully.
And there is q vein of cheerfulness in
her every manner that speaks volumes in
it's lesson, and which would be well to
initiate. OF her approaching dissolution
she is utterly unconcerncd, holding i'm
plicit faith in the promises Of the Re
deemer, and inristing she "shall have .
warning"
Tripping lightly to church, with pray
er book in hand, under the burden Of
the years she carries, yet outspeeding q
girl Of the period in her fight, We are
lost whether it be Mother Reynolds on
her way over the hills to where Barney
lies" or Monica Brown in "My Mary.
land" and back to her "Old Kentucky
home" for accompaniment. She is Of .
race that few remain, and she cannot n
main with US long. There's more sun
shine Gin the land she's going to" than
here, and doubtless I" all the doors stand
open for her." Few can say they have
made more hearts happy, lived more
generally beloved and respected, or filled
their station half 40 well. Those who
complain and are sad, should profit in
the teachings Of Mother Reynolds
when they despond, revel and rest in thl
bri ght eyes of Monica Brown.