MIRON G. REYNOLDS. In the person of Miron G. Reynolds, of Anderson, is found another splendid example of the self-made manhood of which this country is so proud. Commencing life without advantages, working with his hands and climbing the familiar but difficult road of poverty, meeting with obstacles and overcoming them as they arose, he today finds himself in the ranks of Anderson’s and many other cities successful business men, and as president of the Central Heating Company, vice-president of the Indiana Silo Company and proprietor and manager of the Reynolds Gas Regulator Company, he is recognized as one of those who have made Anderson the city that it now is. His career has been one of great activity and uncommon success, due to ability, the exercise of good judgment and the exhibition under ail circumstances of the strictest integrity. A review of his career should have something in it of a nature encouraging to the youth of today who is struggling to gain, without friends or fortune, a place on the ladder that leads to success and independence.
Miron G. Reynolds was born in Wayne County, Indiana, June 16, 1853, a son of Brazila and Lydia (Layton) Reynolds. The parents, natives of New Jersey, became early settlers of Indiana, locating near Williamsburg in Wayne County. The father was a millwright, and followed that trade during his life time. He was an excellent business man, and in his later years was prosperous. His was the reputation of an honorable man of affairs, and by his associates he was held in the greatest confidence.
Miron G. Reynolds received only a common school education, doing the greater part of his studying in the school of hard work. In time he began learning the blacksmith’s trade in his father’s carriage works plant at Williamsburg, remaining with his father until his twenty-fifth year, after which he and his brother conducted a planing mill, the young man in the meantime vainly trying to find his proper field. In 1890 he invented a gas governor, and in the same year came to Anderson in search of capital to exploit it. Capital, however, is a scarce commodity to th0se who have not influential connections, but Mr. Reynolds persevered, with a faith in his ideas that would not down, and eventually secured his backer, found his market, and after his invention was tested and compared with others his future was assured. These regulators are now being used throughout the United States and many foreign countries. The Reynolds Gas Regulator Company was formed for the manufacturing of this article, and of this large institution Mr. Reynolds was the president and general manager, but is now the sole owner. He was also the principal organizer of the Central Heating Company, capitalized at $130,000, and which has a large plant equipped with the most modern machinery, and of this concern Mr. Reynolds is the president, a position which he has held since the company’s inception. In addition he is vice-president and a large stockholder in the Indiana Silo Company, the largest enterprise of its kind in the United States. Other enterprises and ventures of Anderson have had the benefit of Mr. Reynold’s co-operation and support, and everywhere among his associates he is looked to for guidance, counsel and leadership. No taint of dishonesty has rested upon his record. He is positive, strong and energetic, but is tolerant of the opinions and careful of the rights of others, recognizing the equal liberty of all, and always willing to help those who were trying to help themselves.
In 1892 Mr. Reynolds was married to Miss Carrie B. Bousman, and there is one child of this union, Myron B. Reynolds. Mr. Reynolds has membership relations with the Knights of Pythias fraternity. His beautiful home, erected in 1910, is of brick and in point of architectural design and modern conveniences is considered one of the finest in Anderson.
