Henry Augustus Reeves

Henry Augustus Reeves (December 7, 1832 – March 4, 1916) was an American lawyer, newspaper editor, and Democratic politician who served one term as a U.S. Representative from New York from 1869 to 1871. Over the course of his career he was active in public life at both the federal and local levels, representing his constituents during a significant period in American history following the Civil War.

Reeves was born on December 7, 1832, in Sag Harbor, Suffolk County, New York. He received his early education in local schools and pursued further studies at Delaware Academy in Delhi, New York. He later attended Amherst College in Amherst, Massachusetts, where he continued his classical education. After completing his collegiate studies, he returned to New York to prepare for a career in the law.

Following his education, Reeves studied law, was admitted to the bar, and commenced practice. In addition to his legal work, he became involved in journalism and public affairs. He settled in Greenport, on the North Fork of Long Island in Suffolk County, where he took up the editorship and proprietorship of the Suffolk Times, a local newspaper. Through his work as an editor and publisher, he became a prominent voice in regional politics and civic life, helping to shape public opinion in eastern Long Island.

Reeves’s growing prominence as a lawyer, editor, and community leader led to his election to the United States House of Representatives as a Democrat. He was elected to the Forty-first Congress and served from March 4, 1869, to March 3, 1871, representing New York as a member of the Democratic Party. His service in Congress occurred during the Reconstruction era, a significant period in American history marked by debates over the reintegration of the Southern states, civil rights, and the direction of national economic policy. As a member of the House of Representatives, Henry Augustus Reeves participated in the democratic process, contributed to the legislative work of the chamber, and represented the interests of his New York constituents during his single term in office.

After leaving Congress in 1871, Reeves returned to Greenport and resumed his work in journalism and local public service. He continued to edit and publish the Suffolk Times, maintaining his influence in regional affairs. In addition to his professional pursuits, he held various local offices and was active in community matters, reflecting his ongoing commitment to public life beyond the national stage.

Henry Augustus Reeves remained a respected figure in Suffolk County until his death. He died on March 4, 1916, in Greenport, New York. His career as a lawyer, editor, and Democratic Representative from New York, together with his long engagement in local civic affairs, marked him as a notable public figure in his region during the latter half of the nineteenth century and the early years of the twentieth century.