A. E. Reames, formerly a student of the University at Eugene and late a graduate of Washington and Lee University of Virginia, has located in Eugene and entered into co-partnership with E. R. Skipworth for the practice of law. Mr. Reames was a faithful student at the university and very popular with the faculty and students. He is a young man of excellent ability and sterling character. Mr. Skipworth, the senior member of the firm, has already established an enviable reputation as a lawyer and a citizen. The new firm is one of the very best in Lane County and we predict for it a successful career.--[Eugene Guard.
Democratic Times, Jacksonville, October 6, 1893, page 3


    Alfred E. Reames has been admitted to practice in the courts of Oregon upon a certificate from the supreme court of Virginia.
"Personal Mention," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, October 13, 1893, page 3


    E. R. Reames and wife have returned from their trip east and will spend the winter in San Francisco.
"Personal Mention," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, November 17, 1893, page 3


    A. E. Reames has left Eugene for Portland, to engage in the practice of law.
"Personal Mention," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, January 11, 1894, page 3

    General Thomas Givings Reames, an honored and respected citizen of this valley, and a man of affairs, died at his home in Jacksonville, Wednesday night at 9 o'clock, aged 60 years, 2 months and 6 days. Several weeks ago Mr. Reames was suffering severely from nasal catarrh and went to Portland for surgical treatment, where he had an operation performed. Following the operation he caught a severe cold, which afterwards developed into erysipelas, and he has been lying at his home for several days in a very critical condition, attended by doctors DeBar, Robinson and Pickel, but the best of medical aid failed to save his life.
    The deceased pioneer was one of the best-known men in the state, and was a candidate for honors and preferment by the Democratic Party on several occasions. He was a member [of the] well-known banking firm of Beekman & Reames, of Jacksonville, at the time of his death.
    Thomas G. Reames was born in Litchfield County, Kentucky, December 15, 1839. When he was about the age of 6 years his parents moved to Carlinville, Illinois, where the family remained until the year 1852, and then crossed the plains to faraway Oregon, arriving late that year. Together with his father he was employed in the then-important Hudson Bay Company, but learning of the gold mining and other resources of Southern Oregon, they came to Jackson County, settling in the locality of Phoenix. He mined and farmed thereabouts until the year 1864, when he established his residence in Jacksonville, and was appointed a deputy sheriff under Wm. Owens, which office he held until 1868, when he was nominated by the Democratic Party and elected sheriff of the county of Jackson, serving one term with much credit to the county and himself. After his term of office expired he engaged in the livery business in Jacksonville for a time, and then established a general merchandise business near his old home in Phoenix, with B. Sachs, under the firm name of Reames & Sachs, continuing that partnership for a period of four years. Together with his brother Evan Reames, he then purchased the stock and good will of the firm of the firm of White & Martin, of Jacksonville, removed there, and carried on the business as Reames Brothers, with a branch house in Klamath Falls.
    General Reames was one of the very prominent members of the Masonic fraternity, having been the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge, A.F. and A.M. of Oregon, in 1885. He was made a Mason in Warren Lodge, No. 10, of Jacksonville, where he has held an honorary membership, and was worshipful master from 1871 to 1876. He was exalted to a Royal Arch Mason in Oregon Chapter, No. 4, at Jacksonville, and has been its high priest since 1879. General Reames was knighted as a Knight Templar in Oregon Commandery in 1877, and became a charter member of Malta Commandery, No. 4, of Ashland, and was its first eminent commander. He received the 32nd degree of A.A.S.R. in Portland Consistory, and was a member of Al Kadir Temple Ancient Arabic Order of the Mystic Shrine of Portland. He is the grand representative of the grand lodge of Florida, the grand representative of the grand lodge of Florida and the grand lodge of South Australia, in Oregon.
    General Reames has long been prominent in Democratic politics in this county, as well as the state, and was one of the best-known men in Oregon. He served a number of terms in the town council of Jacksonville, was mayor of that city several times, and was appointed brigadier general of the first brigade of Oregon militia by Governor W. W. Thayer, in 1878. In the year 1878 General Reames was the Democratic candidate for the office of secretary of state against the late Hon. Rocky P. Earhart, but was defeated for the office by 191 votes. During the early days of the first administration of President Cleveland, General Reames was appointed by the President United States postal inspector, but the position did not prove to his liking, and after a few months' very creditable service he resigned the office. He was a delegate to the National Democratic Convention of 1892.
    General Reames was married July 4, 1866, to Miss Lucinda Williams, and a family of four sons and six daughters have blessed the union; A. E. Reames and Chas. Reames of Jacksonville, W. F. and Clarence Reames of Gold Hill, Mrs. J. F. White, Genevieve, Lucinda, Laura, Nellie and Florence Reames of Jacksonville.
    The funeral will take place from his late home in Jacksonville Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock, under Masonic auspices. Malta Commandery No. 4 of this city will send a delegation to Jacksonville on this evening's train to attend the funeral.
    The services will be conducted by Warren Lodge No. 10 of Jacksonville, and Malta Commandery No. 4 K.T. of Ashland will act as escort.

    A. E. Reames, the Democratic nominee for Congress in the First Congressional District, was born in Jacksonville, Ore. in 1862. He comes from Southern stock, his father, Thomas G. Reames, having come to Oregon from Kentucky in the pioneer days of 1853, and his mother is a native of Missouri.
    Mr. Reames received his primary education in the public schools of Jacksonville, and then attended the University of the Pacific at San Jose, Calif. Later he was a student at the University of Oregon. Before completing his course at Oregon's leading educational institution, Mr. Reames went to Lexington, Va. and entered the law department of Washington and Lee University. While there he won the debater's medal. He graduated from the law department of the Virginia institution in 1890, and immediately returned to Jacksonville for the practice of his profession. However, Mr. Reames remained in Jacksonville but a short time, when he formed a partnership with E. R. Skipworth in Eugene. This lasted until 1893, when he moved to Portland and associated himself with C. M. Idleman in the practice of law. He was candidate for representative on the Democratic ticket while he lived there. In 1896 Reames returned to Jacksonville, where for a time he practiced law in partnership with Wm. M. Colvig. He was elected prosecuting attorney for the First Judicial District in 1900.
    Mr. Reames married Miss Edith Tongue in 1895. He was for over three years president of the Oregon Native Sons' Cabin at Jacksonville, and for one year held the office of grand president of the Native Sons of Oregon. He is a Shriner in the Masonic order, and belongs to the Red Men and the B.P.O. Elks.
Democratic Times, Jacksonville, April 15, 1903, page 1

    The Medford Mail has stated that I had four criminal cases against the present District Attorney, A. E. Reames, and that I lost but one of them. Will Mr. Reames deny that I was not the attorney for the defendant in the following cases?
    These cases were had in the courts of Jackson County and I was attorney for defendant in each one and lost but one--State vs. Dahack. Better nail another "lie," but be sure that it is a lie first, Mr. Reames.
    Mr. Reames has lost 66⅔ percent of the criminal cases he has had in Jackson County since he has been district attorney, which were tried by a jury. His predecessor, C. B. Watson, lost but 47 percent and yet Mr. Reames attempted to leave the impression, while making his first canvass for district attorney, that Mr. Watson was but a third-rate lawyer.
    Mr. Reames has resorted to the cowardly dodge of issuing a small pamphlet to the voters of the county, too late for general reply through the press, in which he seeks to gain votes for himself by attempting to create the impression that I was endeavoring to have swine in Jackson County restrained from running at large. The fact is that Mr. Hanley, an ardent supporter of Mr. Reames and for whom Mr. Reames is acting as attorney, is the originator of and the circulator of the petition.
    Mr. Reames' attempt to gain votes through issuance of a pamphlet too late for general reply should receive the seal of condemnation of voters as it deserves to receive it.
    June 6, 1904.        GUS NEWBURY.
Henry Dox Papers, Southern Oregon Historical Society Research Library M883 Box 2

A. E. Reames Will Resign.

Death of James R. Reames.

    The law firm of Colvig & Durham has been dissolved, and the new law firm is Colvig & Reames. The new firm is composed of Hon. W. M. Colvig and his son-in-law, C. L. Reames. Both these gentlemen are well known, and especially Mr. Colvig, who has for several years past been employed on one or other other side of nearly every case which has been tried in Jackson and Josephine counties.
    Mr. Colvig is unquestionably one of the best attorneys in the state. Mr. Reames, while having had not so much experience, is nonetheless an unusually bright young man and has had a goodly amount of actual practice at the bar while serving as deputy district attorney for several years past.
Medford Daily Tribune clipping dated October 15, 1908, William M. Colvig scrapbook.


    In addition to the dissolution of partnership of the law firm of Colvig & Reames, notice of which appeared in the Morning Mail a few days ago, the law firm of Reames & Reames has also been dissolved. A. E. Reames will continue the practice of law at Jacksonville and C. L. Reames has gone into partnership with William M. Colvig.
    Mr. Durham, who was formerly associated with Mr. Colvig, will continue the practice of law in Grants Pass.
Medford Mail, October 23, 1908, page 4

    MEDFORD, Or., April 17.--(Special.)--"Let them go to it," said C. L. Reames tonight when informed that an effort was being made to defeat his confirmation as United States District Attorney because of his Southern pacific affiliation and land grant record. "I am proud of my stand on both questions.
    "I was one of the first attorneys in Oregon opposing the withdrawal of the Southern Pacific land, and I publicly urged the return of land to actual settlers. I spoke in every schoolhouse in the county in 1906 when a candidate for the Legislature, favoring action against the railroad by the state.
    "In the recent Legislature I introduced House Bill No. 515, which was a railroad blue sky law, preventing any railroad in the state from issuing stocks and bonds without first securing permission from the State Railroad Commission. It passed the House but was killed by a Southern Pacific representative in the Senate.
    "As to my Southern Pacific affiliations, they are too remote to be taken seriously by anyone. My partner, W. M. Colvig, was Southern Pacific attorney in Medford for years and when he resigned about a year ago the business fell to me. I resigned as the road's representative the day I was elected to the State Legislature.
    "Of course, any man in the public service expects criticism, and his record should be strong enough to withstand any scrutiny. Opposition to my appointment, however, on these grounds is rather surprising. It is certainly a compliment when one's enemies can find no more damaging evidence to produce."
Morning Oregonian, Portland, April 18, 1913, page 6


    The ranch home of Mrs. J. C. Horton, on the old Reames place near Talent, was destroyed by fire about 10:30 o'clock Tuesday night, entailing a loss of $12,000, covered by $8000 insurance, due to a defective flue in the kitchen.
"Diamond Lodging House and Talent Home Burn Up," Medford Mail Tribune, September 23, 1914, page 6


    Mrs. C. L. Reames, who has been attending the funeral of Mrs. Birdseye, returned to her home in Portland last evening.
"Local and Personal," Medford Sun, April 10, 1915, page 6


Medford Mail Tribune, August 10, 1915, page 2


    "I was born in Jackson County in the fifties," said Mrs. Evan R. Reames of Klamath Falls.
    "My father, General John E. Ross, was the first man to be married in Jacksonville and his marriage was the second in Jackson County. When he was married it was the era of the red shirt, high boots and greasy overalls. Mother wanted him to be dressed up for the wedding, so he tried to secure proper garb for the occasion. A careful canvass of Jacksonville and the nearby camps resulted in finding one 'boiled shirt,' as the miners called white shirts, and a dress coat. The dress coat was too small to go on, so the difficulty was solved by splitting the coat up the back, putting it on and lacing it up to keep it on. There was a gap of three inches up the back, so Father had to keep his back to the wall during the ceremony and also face the guests after the ceremony. He certainly was a wallflower until they could get rid of the company.
    "This was in January, 1853, just a year after the discovery of gold in Rich Gulch by James Clugage and J. R. Poole that led to the stampede which resulted in the founding of the town. Appler and Kenny put up a tent in February, 1852, and started the first store and saloon. Next month W. W. Fowler, who later married Mrs. Goss, the mother-in-law of Alexander Martin, my husband's associate in business here, put up the first log cabin built in Jacksonville. Mr. Fowler was chosen as judge in the trial of the first murder at Jacksonville. The man tried was hanged and buried within an hour of the trial.
    "The winter of 1852 was a severe one. Several thousand people had rushed to the new camp of Jacksonville and very little supplies had been hauled in. Flour was $50 a sack, tobacco $16 a pound and salt was exchanged weight for weight for gold dust. There was no salt in the camp and the miners on the nearby creeks who had small amounts could hardly be induced to sell any. Neighbors would share their small supply, and a pinch of salt was the most acceptable present you could give. Father had to have salt to put in his sausages, and he bought it by paying an ounce of gold dust for an ounce of salt.
    "My father was appointed brigadier general. He had served in the Cayuse war in '46 and '47, in the Indian troubles in 1853 and '54, and also in the Rogue River war of 1855 and '56. In 1869 my husband started to work in Major J. T. Glenn's store on Klamath agency. In 1871 he went to work for Alexander Martin, with whom he is still associated. My husband was a lieutenant in the Modoc war. He can tell you all about that."
    Mr. Reames went to his desk and brought out his commission as lieutenant in Co. A., first brigade, Oregon militia. It was dated December 2, 1872, and was signed by Governor L. F. Grover and Secretary of State S. F. Chadwick.
    "We had 60 men in our company and they were raised inside of six hours,' said Mr. Reames. "When the word came that volunteers were wanted, a meeting was held at the court house at Jacksonville, 60 men signed the roll and we started next morning, each man furnishing his own horse, gun and ammunition. Oliver Harbaugh, who still lives at Jacksonville, had just come in from California with his wagon and a four-horse team, so we hired him to take our camp equipment and provisions.
    "There were about 60 Modoc Indians in the lava beds and there were about 400 troops, both regulars and volunteers. The Indians were too many for us. We couldn't get at them and they could pick us off. We had one carefully planned battle on December 17, which resulted in our troops losing some men, and finally retiring. Then the government decided to try a peace treaty in place of whipping the Indians, so the volunteers went back to Jacksonville.
    "I was born in Illinois and came to Oregon in 1852 when I was a baby. My father, Woodruff Reames, and my mother, Mahulda White Reames, were both born in Kentucky. We spent the winter of 1852 at St. Helens, and the following spring moved to Jacksonville. In the winter of 1853 eggs were $1 apiece, apples 25 cents each, flour was $1 a pound and everything else was in proportion, so you will see that ham and eggs, with applesauce, was something of a luxury. I went to school with Colonel Robert A. Miller, now of Portland. J. N. T. Miller was his father, and General John F. Miller was his uncle. General J. F. Miller was a most interesting man. Like my parents, he was a Kentuckian. He was a member of Colonel Doniphan's famous Missouri regiment that took part in the Mexican War and made such a remarkable march. He settled in Southern Oregon in 1851. He served in the Oregon Indian wars under General Joseph Lane as captain of Company A, First Regiment Oregon Volunteers. President Pierce appointed him agent of the Grand Ronde Reservation and he was reappointed by Buchanan. During the Civil War he lived at Salem and built the Willamette Woolen Mills Company, of which he was president. Later he was vice president of the Willamette Falls and Lock Company at Oregon City. He ran for governor against A. C. Gibbs, the Republican candidate who was elected, and he ran for U.S. Senator against George H. Williams. It is interesting to check over the former citizens of Jacksonville and see how many have won distinction in politics and business."
Oregon Journal, Portland, August 12, 1915, page 6


    "Linkville was a tough town," said Mrs. Evan R. Reames, when I visited her recently at her home in Klamath Falls. "It knew that it was tough and was proud of the fact. The first 33 funerals we had were of persons who died violent deaths. They 'died with their boots on,' as they used to say.
    "In 1873 Mr. Reames and I were married. He always remembers the date of our marriage by saying it was the day before Captain Jack was hanged for his part in the Modoc lava bed war and the murder of General Canby. We were married on October 2, 1873, by Rev. Stahl. We came to Linkville, as Klamath Falls was then called, in 1880. At that time there was not a tree nor a bush nor a flower here. Dust and sagebrush were to be seen in all directions. To look at the tree-shaded streets, the gardens and orchard now one would hardly believe that it has all been done since 1880.
    "One of the first dances I attended was given to raise money to lay the first sidewalk put down in town. We raised money enough to lay a sidewalk from the Linkville hotel to the post office. In this day of law and order you can have no conception of the anxiety we women had to endure in the early days of Linkville history.
    "In the early '80s H. C. Law, with his family, moved from California and settled at Steel Swamp. A little later a man named Kerwin, who came from the same neighborhood of California as Law, moved up into the Steel Swamp country and took up a place. They were both stockmen and they soon began quarrelling about the range. Two of the Kerwin boys were out looking up their cattle and met H. C. Law. Law drew his gun and ordered them off his range. One of the Kerwin boys drew his revolver and shot Law in the leg. They then wheeled their horses and rode off. Law dismounted, and taking careful aim, shot the younger boy, who was 17 years old, through the body. His brother managed to get him home and then went to Bonanza, 22 miles distant, for a doctor. The boy died. Lakeview was then the county seat and was 120 miles distant. Law defied the authorities, as he claimed the boy was in Oregon when shot and that he was just across the state line and was standing in California when he shot him. The sheriff of Lake County, for this was all Lake County then, turned the matter over to the California officials. They refused to take action, as they claimed that while the murderer had been in California, yet the murder had been committed in Oregon. Finally the deputy sheriff of Lake County found H. C. Law on the Oregon side and brought him to Linkville. Deputy Sheriff Lewis brought him to the Linkville hotel to stay overnight on his way to Lakeview, the county seat. Just before supper a man came into the store where my husband was at work and told him a mob from Big Valley in California, the former home of the Kerwins and Laws, was on the way to Linkville to administer lynch law on H. C. Law.
    "My husband notified W. A. Wright, the justice of the peace, who at once had the prisoner put upstairs in the hotel under special guard, sworn in hurriedly. Wright then notified all men capable of bearing arms to meet in the bar room at the Linkville hotel with their guns to resist the mob. My husband came home to get his rifle. I asked him what he wanted it for, so he told me. I had our baby in my arms and I begged him not to go and leave me. While I was holding onto him and begging him not to go, the mob came into town. They had stopped at the slaughter houses and taken the rope from windlass and had left their horses there. There were about 20 or 25 of them. There were nearly 100 of our men gathered in the saloon, but they were all busy drinking and loading their guns. They did not expect the mob to come until dark. The mob stepped into the bar room and shot into our men. Justice of the Peace Wright was shot through the shoulder and jumped through the window, taking the glass with him. Our men made a rush to get away. They tore the doors off and broke the windows out, trying to get away. C. S. Moore and some others dropped to the floor and crawled under the table. One of the members of the mob was killed in the mixup.
    "When the lynching party failed to find Law, they started upstairs and were fired at by the special guards. The mob in returning the fire killed Deputy Sheriff Lewis. They brought Mr. Wright, who was shot through the shoulder, to our house. The mob came and looked under our house for Law. Our house was set on stilts and I was afraid they would tip us over or set fire to our house. Most of the citizens knew who were in the mob. They were well-known stockmen, but they left word that if any action was taken against them they would put the witnesses out of the way. At the coroner's jury over Lewis no one would give evidence, so the case was dropped, and not knowing what to do with H. C. Law, he was released. Later a few men began talking, but when they went hunting or fishing or out to look up cattle they would not return and later their dead bodies would be found. The feud started then resulted in 17 murders. The two Law boys were shot and H. C. Law fled to Salt Lake."
Oregon Journal, Portland, August 14, 1915, page 4


Jacksonville Post, March 25, 1916, page 2

    Clarence L. Reames, ex-United States Attorney, yesterday received his commission as special assistant to the Attorney General. He immediately qualified by taking the oath of office in the federal court. Accompanied by Mrs. Reames he will leave for Seattle Sunday, preliminary to assuming the duties of his new office the following day.
    With his commission came instructions from the Attorney General directing Mr. Reames to go to Seattle immediately and take charge for the government of all suits, both civil and criminal, connected with the enforcement of the President's proclamation relating to alien enemies, sedition, shipping act and trading with the enemy act. His specific work will be the prosecution of all cases arising from the enforcement of the various measures of war legislation enacted by Congress since the United States entered the world war.
    "Until my work is finished it will be necessary for me to become a resident of the state of Washington," said Mr. Reames yesterday. "In the performance of the work in which I shall be engaged, it is required that I have an official residence in the city where I am stationed. My duties will be devoted entirely to war work until the war ends."
    Mr. Reames is a native of Oregon and has lived all of his life in this state. Before coming to Portland in 1913 he served for eight years as Assistant District Attorney of the First Judicial District under his brother, A. E. Reames, and afterwards practiced law for four years in Medford with Judge W. M. Colvig. He was first appointed United States Attorney in June 1913, and was reappointed for a second four-year term in June 1917. Mr. Reames was the second United States Attorney to take office under the first administration of President Wilson, and at the time of his retirement from the office last week was the oldest United States Attorney in point of service in the United States.
    Mr. Reames yesterday accepted the invitation of the Snohomish County Bar Association and will deliver an address at Everett, Wash. on Washington's birthday, next Friday, February 22.
    No intimation has come from Washington as to who will probably be named to succeed Mr. Reames. The latest candidate for this appointment is James H. Nichols, prominent lawyer and Democrat, of Baker.
Morning Oregonian, Portland, February 14, 1918, page 9


REAMES--In this city, July 27, 1918, Edith Tongue Reames, age 46 years, beloved wife of A. E. Reames, of Medford, Oregon; daughter of Mrs. Thomas H. Tongue, of Portland; sister of E. B. and Thomas H. Tongue, Jr., of Hillsboro, Or.; Mrs. Gay Lombard, Mrs. Florence Munger and Miss Bertha Tongue, of Portland; Mrs. Frank Fey, of Seattle. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. today (Monday), July 29, 1918, at the residence of E. B. Tongue, Hillsboro, Or. Friends invited to attend. Interment in family plot, Hillsboro.
"Funeral Notices," Morning Oregonian, Portland, July 29, 1918, page 9

    Portland, May 15.--Clarence L. Reames, former United States attorney here, who has tendered his resignation as assistant to the United States Attorney General, arrived in Portland today from Seattle on private business. He will open a law office in Seattle and engage in private practice.
Jacksonville Post, May 17, 1919, page 2


Jacksonville Post, May 31, 1919, page 2

    As one reads the history of early Oregon the name of Reames will frequently appear upon its pages, for the family was among the earliest pioneers of the state and its members have done much to develop and upbuild the country. Woodford Reames, a native of Kentucky, in which state his people settled in pioneer times, came to Oregon in 1852 and for a brief period resided at St. Helens. A year later he took up a donation claim in Jackson County and thus the name became identified with the progress of southern Oregon. His son, Thomas G. Reames, was a small boy when the family came to this state and after reaching manhood he turned his attention to mining, while later he became a merchant and eventually a banker. In 1886 he concentrated his attention upon banking business as a member of the firm of Beekman & Reames, who succeeded to the banking business of Beekman's Banking House. Mr. Reames held many positions of public honor and trust in Oregon and left the impress of his individuality and ability for good upon many lines of the state's development. He held the office of sheriff of Jackson County for several years and under the Cleveland administration he served as post office inspector for the district embracing Oregon, Idaho, Washington and Alaska. He was one of the most popular residents of southern Oregon, as is evidenced by the fact that he came within but a few votes of election as secretary of the state, although the Democratic candidate in a commonwealth that normally gives a strong Republican majority. He married Lucinda Williams, whose parents came to Oregon in 1853. To this marriage was born on the 5th of February, 1870, at Jacksonville, Oregon, a son, Alfred Evan Reames, now residing in Medford.
    Alfred Evan Reames acquired his education in the common schools of his native city and in the University of the Pacific at San Jose, California, in the University of Oregon and the Washington and Lee University of Virginia, being graduated from the last named institution in 1893. He was admitted to the bar in that state, after which he returned to Oregon and was admitted to practice in the courts here. He entered upon the active work of his profession in connection with E. R. Shipworth of Eugene, under the firm style of Shipworth & Reames, there remaining until 1894, when he removed to Portland and became associated with C. M. Idleman up to the time the latter was elected attorney general of the state. Mr. Reames then associated himself with William M. Colvig at Jacksonville, Oregon, and the partnership was maintained until 1902, when Mr. Reames was elected district attorney, in which office he continued to serve for eight years. In 1906 he became associated with his brother, Clarence L. Reames, in a partnership that was terminated with the appointment of the latter as deputy United States attorney for Oregon. After that time Alfred E. Reames practiced alone in Medford until 1921, when he admitted his younger brother, Charles W. Reames, to a partnership, the latter having recently served as deputy United States district attorney. Thus the firm has again become Reames & Reames, a style that is well known in Oregon, for they enjoy an extensive practice of an important character, the brothers ranking high as able representatives of the Oregon bar.
    Alfred E. Reames was united in marriage to Miss Edith L. Tongue, a daughter of Congressman Thomas L. Tongue of Hillsboro. She passed away in 1918, her death deeply deplored by many friends.
    Upon the death of his father-in-law in 1903, the Democratic Party nominated Mr. Reames to succeed him as candidate for the office of congressman and though the Republicans carried the district he succeeded greatly in reducing their usual majority. In fact his vote was so large that for a time the result was in doubt. The large vote accorded him was certainly an indication of his personal popularity and of the confidence and trust reposed in him.
    Mr. Reames has always been active in the upbuilding of his state and has contributed to its development in many ways. He has been interested in mining and in timber and has been the active head of large companies which have done important development work along these lines. His native town of Jacksonville is indebted to him for its lighting plant, which he built almost alone. As a lawyer he is a member of the Southern Oregon Bar Association and of the Oregon State Bar Association. He is also a member of the American Bar Association. His status as a lawyer requires no comment, for his ability is conceded on all sides and his name is known in legal circles throughout the West as that of one of the strongest representatives of the bar in the Pacific coast country. Fraternally he is a Mason, having attained the Knights Templar degree of the York Rite, and he is a past high priest of his chapter and a Noble of the Mystic Shrine. He likewise belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. His activities and his interests are thus broad and varied. While appreciative of the social amenities of life and a valued representative of the different orders to which he belongs, it has been by reason of his connection with important business and professional interests that he has come to the front as one of the prominent residents of his state. He is a man of broad vision, displaying keen insight into the opportunities of a situation and readily recognizing and utilizing opportunities which have not only resulted in the upbuilding of his individual fortunes but have constituted a splendid element of public progress and improvement.
Charles Henry Carey, History of Oregon, 1922, page 304


    Mr. and Mrs. Evan P. Reames are here for their annual summer visit with their nephews, Evan and Charley Reames, and niece, Mrs. John F. White, and they will all spend several weeks camping on Wagner Creek later on.
    Mr. and Mrs. Reames were pioneers in Jacksonville, Mr. Reames arriving with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Woodford Reames, in 1852. Mrs. Reames was born in Jacksonville and was the daughter of Colonel Ross, of Oregon Indian war fame. The Colonel Ross homestead was on what is now Ross Lane.
    Evan and Thomas Reames, the latter was Mrs. White's father, were in the mercantile business in Jacksonville for several years, Evan later moving the stock to Klamath Falls. He sold the business and engaged in banking. A few years ago he retired and although he calls Klamath Falls their home, he and Mrs. Reames spend the winters in California.
    Thomas Reames entered the banking business with C. C. Beekman in Jacksonville after his brother moved to Klamath Falls, and remained in that business until he died.
    Mr. and Mrs. Evan Reames remember many interesting incidents connected with pioneer life in Jacksonville during the gold rush and its balmy days, as well as the Indian outbreak and the settlement of the country in general.




    Alfred Evan Reames is one of the best known and best liked attorneys in Southern Oregon. When I visited him recently at his office in Medford, he said:
    "My grandfather, Woodford Reames, was a blacksmith. My father was a merchant and miner. My father, Thomas G. Reames, was born in Litchfield, Ky., Dec. 15, 1838. He crossed the plains in 1852. He put in the winter of 1852 working on the dock at St. Helens, for in those days St. Helens was the head of navigation on the Columbia and was a formidable rival of Portland. My mother, whose maiden name was Lucinda Williams, came across the plains to Oregon in 1853. She was 17 when she married Father. My father and his people settled near Phoenix in 1853. In 1860 he went up to Idaho and during the next two or three years he mined in Boise Basin and elsewhere in that territory. Father was appointed deputy sheriff in 1864 and moved to Jacksonville. He was deputy sheriff till 1868, at which time he was elected sheriff. After Father had sold out his livery stable in Jacksonville he opened a general merchandise store in Phoenix, the firm name being Reames & Sachs. After four years he and his brother bought out White & Martin's store at Jacksonville. My father served as a member of the common council of Jacksonville and also as mayor of Jacksonville for several terms. He ran for secretary of state on the Democratic ticket in 1878 and, in spite of the fact that Oregon was strongly Republican, he only lacked 191 votes of election, Rockey P. Earhart winning the office by this small margin.
    "I was the second child in a family of 11 children, 10 of whom grew to maturity. I was born February 5, 1870, at Jacksonville. My earliest recollections of Jacksonville are of a busy city, the trading point of Southwestern Oregon. I think Jacksonville had a population of at least 2000 when I was a boy. I remember hundreds of Chinese miners lived in Jacksonville's Chinatown, most of them working the abandoned dumps and tailings on the creeks near Jacksonville.
    "The town of Medford was not started till I was about 14 years old. In 1888 I went to Pacific University of Oregon and was a student there for three years. The following year I attended Washington-Lee University at Lexington, Va. I graduated from the law course there and was admitted to the bar in Virginia in 1893 and was also admitted to the Oregon bar that same year. I formed a partnership with Eugene Skipworth at Eugene, the firm name being Skipworth & Reames. In 1894 I went to Portland and formed a partnership with C. M. Idleman. In 1896 I went to Jacksonville and became a partner of William M. Colvig. After four years I was elected district attorney for this district and was re-elected, serving till 1908. My brother Clarence came in with me, read law, was admitted to the bar and became my partner. He was with me till 1910, when my brother Charlie became my partner. I married Edith Tongue, the daughter of Tom Tongue. She died six years ago. Two years later I married Lillian L. Opie of Tacoma. Some years ago I built the city lighting plant at Jacksonville, and I have also been interested in mining and lumbering."
Fred Lockley, "Impressions and Observations of the Journal Man," Oregon Journal, Portland, May 5, 1927, page 14; reprinted (with errors) in the Medford Mail Tribune, May 8, 1927, page B2


    "My father, Woodford Reames, was born on April 4, 1811, in Kentucky," said Mrs. Medora Reames Harbaugh when I interviewed her at her home at Jacksonville recently. "My mother, whose maiden name was Hulda White, was born, like my father, in Hart County, Kentucky, on April 2, 1825. My grandfather, Aaron Reames, was a slave-owner, but when slaveholding became an issue he liberated his slaves and at the breaking out of the Civil War enlisted in the Union army and became a colonel. His people came from Scotland to Virginia and thence to Kentucky. My father, Woodford Reames, moved to Illinois when he was a young man. Father crossed the plains to Oregon in 1852. He wintered at St. Helens and next spring, with his family, he moved to Southern Oregon, taking up a place a mile south of Phoenix, Jackson County. I was born on this place on June 4, 1857. Father worked for the Hudson Bay Company during the winter of 1852 and '53 both at St. Helens and Vancouver. During the Indian wars of 1855 and '56 my people and the Hill family took refuge at Fort Wagner near Talent. Mrs. Russell of Ashland, probably the only woman marble-cutter in Oregon, was a bride at that time. Her maiden name was Hill. Mrs. Mary Dunn, who was also a Hill, now lives in Portland. My father died in 1884 and my mother in 1890.
    "I was married in 1881 to Oliver Harbaugh. He was born in Ohio. He went to California in 1849. He was married there, and when I married him his children were grown up and scattered. My husband died two or three years ago at the age of 96. My oldest brother, Thomas G. Reames, was born at Litchfield, Ky., December 15, 1838. He was deputy sheriff from 1864 to 1868, at which time he was elected sheriff. He ran a livery stable at Jacksonville for a while and later started a store at Phoenix. Still later he bought out a store at Jacksonville and, with my brother, ran it for some years. He served as mayor of Jacksonville for several terms. Governor Thayer appointed him brigadier general of the First Brigade of Oregon militia. He ran for secretary of state on the Democratic ticket in 1878. R. P. Earhart won the place by less than 200 votes.
    "My sister Martha married Joseph Rapp. James was the next child. He was born in Grayson County, Kentucky, January 6, 1844. He was 8 years old when he crossed the plains. For a while my brother Jim ran a livery stable in Jacksonville. Later, with C. S. Sergent, he ran a general merchandise store at Phoenix. He married Alice Strong in 1875. I was the fifth child of the family and the first one to be born in Oregon.
    "I should have said that my brother Evan R. Reames was born in Illinois, April 5, 1850. When Evan was 19 years old he was a clerk in Major J. T. Glenn's store. At the breaking out of the Modoc War he became a second lieutenant in Company A, First Oregon volunteer cavalry. Captain Harris Kelly was captain of the company. My brother was wounded in the leg with a bullet. He and Tom ran a store in Jacksonville under the firm name of Reames Brothers. They also started a branch store in Klamath Falls, which was managed by my brother Evan. He went to California for some years so that his children could go to school, and in 1890 he came back to Klamath Falls and for the next eight years he and George P. Baldwin ran a hardware store. Later he was a partner of Alexander Martin, whom he bought out. He became vice president of the Klamath County Bank. He was married in 1873 to Jennie E. Ross, the daughter of General John E. Ross. If you will see some of my brothers, they can tell you all about early days in Southern Oregon."
Oregon Journal, Portland, July 10, 1927, page 8