Individual Details

"An interesting story exists about just how A. I. Reeves came to be known a s A. I. (initials which don't "stand for" anything!). The following account comes from his obituary published 11 Aug 1951 in the Helena, Montana "Independent Record:" When he first went to school his teacher asked him what his name was and he responded "Baby ." Not accepting his response, the teacher insisted that he must certainly have another name. He subsequently chose the the two letters, "A" and "I," from the sample of the alphabet which had been written on the classroom blackboard! After completing his education and entering the newspaper business in Minnesota, he came to Helena in 1894 and established the Reeves Music Company, on South Main Street (later moving to a site on the Gold block) . At this time, his company built one of the most extensive music libraries in Montana. Unfortunately, his store was destroyed by fire in 1928. After the fire, he relocated to a smaller shop under the Grandon Hotel. He retired in 1946, and resided thereafter at the Masonic home in the Helena valley. A. I. was very active in civic affairs. He was a member of both the Helena Scottish Rites and the First Baptist Church. He also played the role of "Santa Claus" for 50 years in the Elks Club in Helena. His obituary refers to him as "one of Helena's most beloved residents since 1894" and a "prominent resident." (Information courtesy of Mrs. Patricia (Reeves) MacLean, 4524 N. VanNess Blvd., Fresno , California, 93704, 209-222-2894.)

Birth	January 11, 1864	Spring Valley, Fillmore County, Minnesota
Death	August 11, 1951	Helena, Lewis and Clark County, Montana
Burial	August 13, 1951	Forestvale Cemetery, Helena, Lewis and Clark County, Montana

Father	Rev. Michael Dean Reeves (1818 - 1906)
Mother	Hulda M. Newman (1827 - 1912)
Sibling	Martha Reeves (1862 - 1867)
Sibling	Harriett Irene Reeves (1863 - 1922)
Sibling	Charles Reeves (1872 - )