REES, J. W., Beeville Bee, Friday, 7 Jun 1907:

In the death of Mr. J. W. REES, in Yoakum last Friday, Lavaca County loses a useful 
citizen.  Mr. Rees was the father of Messrs. A. F. and Sanford Rees of this city, besides 
whom a wife and three other children survive him: I. W. Rees of Corpus Christi, Floyd 
Rees of Kingsville and Mrs. W. H. MARTIN of Yoakum. 

He was 68 years old at the time of his death and had resided in Lavaca County forty 
years. He was a gallant Confederate soldier, having served in the defense of his 
beloved country during the stormy period of 1861-1865, being commander of a 
company organized in Austin County. He was an active man in public in early days, 
serving one term as county clerk and as justice of the peace at Yoakum for six years 
or more.