Milton W. Reynolds
Milton W. Reynolds was
born in Chemung County, New York, May 23, 1833. Most of his
early life was spent in Michigan, whither his parents moved when he
was but three years old. he was educated at the University of
Michigan.
In 1857 he migrated to
Nebraska and located at Omaha. He farmed, edited a newspaper and
took an active part in politics, serving two terms in the Nebraska
Legislature. He frequently acted as a special correspondent of
eastern newspapers, and it was while acting in that capacity that he
visited the peace council at Fort Smith in the fall of 1865, and also
that of the Medicine Lodge in the fall of 1867. His interest in
the Oklahoma country thus dated from a comparatively remote
period. In 1865 he moved from Nebraska to Kansas, settling at
Lawrence and six years later, at Parsons, at both of which places he
was engaged in the newspaper business.
He represented Labette
county in the Kansas Legislature, and also served one term as a regent
of the University of Kansas. His interest in the Indian
Territory was always active. As early as 1872, in a magazine
article entitled "The Indian State," he outlined the future
development of what is now the state of Oklahoma with a remarkably
prophetic vision. He is said to have written more on the
Oklahoma question than any other single writer, especially in his work
as a staff writer on the Kansas City Times much of his writing
appearing under the nom-de-plume of "Kicking
Bird."
He came to Guthrie, April
22, 1889, where he aided in the publication of the Daily State Herald
for a few months. In July following he established the Edmond
Sun, and a few weeks later he selected a homestead near Edmond.
He took an active part in the affairs of the new Territory.
August 5, 1890, he was elected as member at large to the Territorial
House of Representatives. His death occurred four days later.
Source: A
History of Oklahoma by Joseph B. Throburn and Isaac M.
Holcomb, Doub and Company San Francisco 1908.
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