engineer, inventor, b. Mansfield, Conn. He attended local schools, and from 1847 to 1850 served as an apprentice machinist. From 1850 to 1861 Reynolds worked in various shops in New England, Ohio, and Indiana, and from 1861 to 1877 was employed by the Corliss Steam Engine Co. of Providence, Rd. In 1877 he moved to Milwaukee at the request of Edward P. Allis (q.v.) to become general superintendent of the Edward P. Allis Co. In this capacity Reynolds developed the Reynolds-Corliss engine and became one of the most important figures in the success story of the Allis company. He was a prime mover in the formation of the Allis-Chalmers Co. (1901) and was its chief engineer until his death in 1909. He designed the company's machine shops at West Allis, as well as much of its machinery, and patented over 40 improvements in mining machinery, engines, air compressors, valve gears, etc., which were manufactured by that company. Reynolds also served in executive capacities with several other business enterprises, and was a prominent figure in Milwaukee engineering circles until his death. Dict. Amer. Biog.; H. C. Campbell, ed., Wis. ... (Biog. Vol., New York [1906]); Milwaukee Evening Wis., Feb. 19, 1909; Milwaukee Sentinel, Feb. 20, 1909.Learn More
Dictionary of Wisconsin History
Explore more than 1,600 people, places and events in Wisconsin history.
[Source: Dictionary of Wisconsin biography]
