Charles McCormick Reeve (1847-1947)
Born in New York to a prominent military family, Reeve attended Yale and joined its 1870 College Scientific Expedition traveling the American West in the company of William (Buffalo Bill) Cody. Soon after, Reeve settled in Minnesota and became the operator of a grain mill in Lake Minnetonka.
During the late 1880’s, Reeve traveled extensively across the globe. Upon his return home in 1890, Reeve was elected to the Minnesota state legislature. Reeve served Relief Commissioner from Minnesota and Nebraska for Great Famine of 1892 (Russia). In this office, Reeve undertook a diplomatic relief mission that included visits to Germany, Prussia, and Russia. Reeve shared the late 19th century proclivity for obtaining small fragments of monuments as souvenirs of his travels, a practice aided by his status as a high-profile visitor.
Reeve served as Colonel of the 13th Minnesota Volunteers, a unit that was the first to enter the city of Manila in the Philippines. Reeve’s heroism in the battle led to his promotion to Brigadier General and Deputy Provost Marshal. In these posts he governed Manila while under American occupation. In retirement, Reeve split his time between Lake Minnetonka and Winter Park, where he developed a friendship with Rollins’ President Hamilton Holt. Upon his death in 1947, Reeve bequeathed the memorabilia of his travels to the Baker Museum.