Prof. L.B. Reynolds

SOURCE: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Western Arkansas 1891
Contributed by Richard Meadow
---------------------------------------------------------------------- YELL COUNTY

Prof. L. B. Reynolds, Gravelly Hill, Ark.
It has been truly said that “a good education is the best inheritance that parents can leave to their children.” Riches may take to themselves wings and fly away, but a good education will last through life. Prof. L. B. Reynolds, one of the most prominent and successful educators of the county, is a native of Cole County, Mo., and came to Arkansas in the fall of 1872, since which time he has given his entire attention to school work. He was born on May 25, 1850, and his father was a farmer. When fifteen years of age our subject was sent to Lansing, Mich., to complete his education, and there he remained a student for six years in the Michigan University, graduating with the class of 1860. During his time in school he had taught several terms, and was thus enabled to continue his studies. He then returned to his home in Missouri, where he made a short visit and then started for Arkansas, being stimulated to this move by learning that there was a good opening in that State for teachers, which profession he had decided to take up. He settled at Excelsior, Sebastian County, and there engaged in teaching a country school. As he could not prevail on the directors to employ him, a young boy as it were, he was thrown on his own resources and opened a subscription school. The first month he had eleven pupils, the second month eighteen, and the third month fifty-four. He then was engaged for one year by the board, and the fourth month he found himself teaching 160 scholars, and was obliged to hire an assistant. There he remained with excellent results for ten years. Then having an offer of an increased salary from Hacket City, and finding himself hampered on account of lack of room, he resigned his position and located at Hacket [p.178] City, where he received $800 for ten months. He remained here two years and then resigned his position. Later he entered the school at Cochran, Scott County, where he was employed as principal of their graded schools, and three years later his leaving was a source of universal regret. He then came to Gravelly Hill to take charge of the Piedmont Academy, at a salary of $1,000 per year, under contract for five years, two of which have already expired. He has a wide reputation as an instructor, and his services are always in demand. He is a Democrat in politics, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. In October, 1880, he was married to Miss Sally Rudell, daughter of Edward Rudell, of Excelsior, where the Professor was teaching at the time. They have had five children, four of whom are living at the present time—a son and three daughters: Mary E., Edward A., Myrtle A. and Laura Fay. Socially the Professor is a member of the I. O. O. F. He is an educator in the fullest sense of the term. He sees the need of a higher grade of education in the county, and is doing all that he can to build up the school interests. He cordially invites all who want to engage in the profession of teaching to come to Arkansas, where their services will be appreciated.