R. O. Reynolds

Reuben Oscar Reynolds (October 9, 1832 – September 4, 1887) was a lawyer and state senator in Mississippi. He represented Monroe County and Chickasaw County in the Mississippi Senate for several terms during and after the Reconstruction era ended.

Early life

He was born October 9, 1832, in Columbia County, Georgia, to Reuben Young and Jane A. Pinkard Smith Reynolds. and was one of the first lawyers in the state.

He signed up early to serve with the Confederate States Army in the American Civil War enlisting as a Captain. He was wounded four times during his service and the final injury was on March 25, 1865, during his last battle in Petersburg, Virginia, causing his right arm to be amputated and he was captured whilst recovering. He was promoted to colonel after the injury at Gaines Mill.

In 1866 he served as the reporter for the Mississippi Supreme Court. He testified as a witness for persons accused of being party to Ku Kkux Klan activity.

He served in the Mississippi Senate from 1876 continuously until his death in 1887. He was survived by his second wife and all six children.