David William Reese
Born: October 13, 1849
Died: January 24, 1927, aged 77
David W. Reese was a well-known general contractor around the area. A son of David D. and Mary D. (née Richards) Reese, he was born in Cardiff, Wales, and came to America at the age of two in 1852. He was the third child of seven, and the last to be born outside of the United States. His parents settled in Johnstown, PA. He married Martha Anna "Annie" (Griffith) Reese, originally of Somerset County and a daughter of Abner W. and Elizabeth (née Miller) Griffith, on April 18, 1879 in the Johnstown Presbyterian Church in a ceremony led by Rev. D. M. Miller.
Together, they relocated to Homestead in 1881, and at the age of 31, he opened his contracting business which he ran until his early retirement due to health complications. He specialized in building baking ovens, according to the 1910 US Federal Census.
He had been a president of the Pittsburgh Bakers' and Confectioners' Supply Company, a member of the Trinity United Presbyterian Church of Homestead, Homestead Lodge of the Free and Accepted Masons, Gorgas Lodge of Perfection, Order of the Scottish Rites, and Syria Temple.
He died in his home at 137 E. 5th Avenue of Homestead from chronic myocarditis. His funeral arrangements were handled by Gillen and Coulter Funeral Parlor, and he was buried in the Homestead Cemetery on January 27, 1927.
His wife, Annie, preceded him in death due to gastric ulcers on February 6, 1911, at the age of 56. She was buried in the Homestead Cemetery on February 8, 1911.
Together, they had sons, Harry L., David A., Benjamin F., William R., Thomas O., John J., and Huber/Herbert W. Reese.
Information gathered from:
"David W. Reese," Pittsburgh Daily Post, 25 January 1927, p. 8.
"David W. Reese," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 26 January 1927, p. 2.
"Mrs. D. W. Reese," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 06 February 1911, p. 2.
Year: 1910; Census Place: Homestead Ward 1, Allegheny, Pennsylvania; Roll: T624_1294; Page: 8A; Enumeration District: 0091; FHL microfilm: 1375307