Terrence Reynolds 
pages 311-312

JUDGE TERRENCE REYNOLDS, of the Common Pleas court at Chardon, Geauga County, Ohio, has ever been actuated by the spirit of Lincoln in his sentiment, "There is something better than making a living - making a life." Beginning in a comparatively humble position in life, he has made his way to a place of substance and honor entirely through his own efforts, and yet he has not considered his private interests only but rather has given greater consideration to the public welfare, for which he has ever been ready to make sacrifices. Although a business man for a number of years, he has made the law his principal life work. The comman law, the statutes of Ohio, the history, progress, and growth of jurisprudence, as well as the higher and more abstruse principles of equity, are all completely at his command, constituting him one of the leaders of the bar in Geauga County, which position is readily conceded to him by his associates.
Judge Reynolds was born May 31, 1866, in Chardon, Ohio, and he has been content to spend his life in his home community. He is a scion of one of the prominent old families of Geauga County, being a son of James and Mary (Hennessy) Reynolds. lie was educated in the common and high schools of Chardon. He was a young boy when his father died—twelve years of age—and he then became the sole support of his invalid mother. No young man ever faced a more serious situation in life than he, but, having inherited many of the sterling attributes of his Celtic ancestors, he set bravely to work and this severe training at a tender age doubtless had much to do with his success in later life. He began earning money in any honorable way he could for the support of himself and maintenance of his mother, his devotion to her never wavering. There was always the strongest attachment between mother and son, and the latter has always reflected in his daily life the careful training of the former.
Entertaining a laudable ambition to enter professional life, young Reynolds began the study of law under the preceptorship of the late D. W. Canfield, judge of the Court of Common Pleas, and he was admitted to the practice of law in December, 1913, having made rapid progress in his legal studies. He accepted a position of trust—that of teller of the First National Bank of Chardon, Ohio, and he continued to discharge the duties of the same for a period of nearly nine years, in a manner that reflected much credit upon his ability and integrity and to the eminent satisfaction of the officials, stockholders and patrons of the bank; in fact, he did much during that period to increase the prestige of this institution.
Although he was making a record as a business man that was most creditable, Mr. Reynolds knew that his true bent was toward the law and he resumed his legal studies. Being popular through Geauga County and of known loyal public-spirit, he made the race for clerk of the Common Pleas court of that county. In August, 1900, he was duly elected, and served three successive terms with credit and satisfaction to his constituents. In 1909, he was elected judge of the Probate Court of Geauga County and served a part of two successive terms of four years each, succeeding the late Judge Henry K. Smith. He made an excellent record in this office, but finally resigned to take up his duties as judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Geauga County, to which position he was elected for a term of six years. He assumed the reins of office in January, 1915, and is looking after its affairs with his usual painstaking care and fidelity, making a record of which he might well be proud, his selection for this responsible post reflecting the wisdom of the people. His decisions are always characterized by a profound knowledge of the law in all its phases, by uniform fairness to all parties concerned and by an unquestionable love of justice and right.
Judge Reynolds was married on June 12, 1901, to Cora A. Toop, the accomplished daughter of Mark and Mary Toop, a highly respected old family of Geauga County. The only child of our subject and wife, Lester T. Reynolds, is now thirteen years of age, and is attending school.
Politically Judge Reynolds is a Republican and he has been loyal in his support of the party, in fact, has long been regarded as a leader of this party in Geauga County. He does not affiliate with any fraternal orders, very largely because he is averse to anything that is calculated to take his time from his own fireside, he being happiest when with his family, whose every want he is quick to gratify. He is deserving of a great deal of credit for what he has accomplished unaided and by the sheer force of his individuality, there being no finer example of a self-made man in Ohio.

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