Simon Reynolds, one of the best known and early pioneers of Pottawattamie County, was born in Chautauqua County, New York, July 10, 1837, the son of Lewis and Alitha (Worster) Reynolds, both native of New York State.

Simon was but three years of age when his parents moved to LaPorte County, Indiana, where they remained sixteen years. They then moved to Kankakee County, Illinois. Simon was reared and educated in LaPorte County, Indiana. The parents then came to Pottawattamie County, Iowa, in 1860, where they lived until their death. The father had been a farmer all his life, and in his political views was a Democrat. He died at the age of eighty-four years; the mother was a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and died at the age of seventy-three years.

In 1860 Simon Reynolds came to James Township, Pottawattamie County, and improved a farm of fifty acres in section 10, but which he afterward sold. In 1878 he bought his present farm of 120 acres, which he has since improved until he now has one of the best farms in the county. He was one of the early settlers here, his nearest neighbor being seven or eight miles distant. Besides his general farming, he is also engaged in stock-raising.

Mr. Reynolds came to Iowa in 1854; was married August 24, 1862, to Miss Amanda Redman, who, was born at Dayton, Ohio. She was four years of age when her parents moved to Elkhart County, Indiana, at which place her father died. She was the daughter of Silas and Catharine (Bunner) Redman, both natives of Virginia. When Mrs. Reynolds was ten years of age her mother moved to Polk County, Iowa, where her daughter was reared and educated. The mother is still living in that county, at the age of seventy-four years; religiously she is a member of the Methodist Church. Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds have five children, viz.: Monroe F., a graduate of the Iowa Western Normal School, and formerly a successful teacher, now holds a position in Swift's packing house in Omaha; Arthur L., a carpenter of Oregon; Orpha C., wife of William Warnke, of Belknap Township; Effie L. and Clarence, both at home.

Politically Mr. Reynolds is a Republican, and has served in most of his county's offices with credit. He and his wife and eldest son are members of the Christian Church. Mr. Reynolds is still in the prime of life, and takes an active interest in education and religion, in which he is ably encouraged by his faithful wife, who has proved a worthy helpmate and partner to her husband.