Sarah Reese was born in Eastown, Pa., Nov. 10th, 1801, and died Aug. 4th, 1890, age 88 years, 8 mos. and 24 days. She was the daughter of Abraham and Eleanor Miller, the oldest of eleven children, three of whom survive her, two brothers and one sister. When five years of age she moved with her parents to Butler Co., five years later they came to Miami Co. locating in the vicinity of Piqua.  She was brought up just east of town where she attended the district school and passed the time of childhood and youth. She was a resident of Ohio from almost its beginning as a state.  In the Spring of 1826 she was married to Elijah Reese, of blessed memory, who died July 18th, 1849. They had therefore lived together 23 years. for forty-one years she survived him, and pursued life's journey, alone but new, after so long a time, she had gone to join him in the better land.  During this time she had constantly lived in Piqua with the exception of three years when she went to Celina to keep house for her brother and his son, eight years ago. At this time she was nearly 80 years old and yet had strength to discharge the duties of the care of the household.
About one year after he marriage they took up their residence on the west side of Downing St. near Ash. This was then on the edge of town, which was chiefly along the canal and North Main St.  Here, for twenty-two years she resided with her husband, and continued to reside after his death, twenty-one years, making in all a residence of 43 years in that one place. The house yet remains and is one of the oldest in Piqua. For along time she had her home with her niece Mrs. Joseph Patterson, who had lived from childhood with her aunt who was as a mother to her.  The regard of Mr. Patterson and wife for their Auntie Reese was strong, and by her appreciated and reciprocated. She had seen great changes in Piqua in her life time. Its borders have been extended, its inhabitants multiplied, until it has become a city with all the modern improvements and conveniences of the larger places. She had lived to see the electric light before her door by night, and the electric car glide swiftly past by day.

What could more signally mark the transition from the early Indian period of the pioneer of Piqua, and its advanced condition today, than these two new modes of light and motion?  She took great pleasure in attending the pioneer picnics of the county and for three years in succession had received the bouquet which was presented to her as being the oldest lady present at the meeting.  She was of a lively turn and somewhat quaint in her expressions, and greatly beloved by al who knew her.
She had been a member of Greene St. Church for fifty-one years. The old church book bears this record: "Sarah Reese, residence, Downing St., west side, south of Greene, received into the church Jan. 18th, 1839 by certificate. Member of Enoch Bennett's class." Having joined her by letter it is not known where she first united with the church.  She loved the house of God and was a regular attendant, when able, upon divine service. She would attend church when scarcely able to get up the stairs, and would rest herself on the way up, or be helped up by the ushers, or whoever might happen to be at hand. She would return from church and when asked  about the sermon would say, "I could not hear a word," they then would ask, why do you go when you can not hear? She would reply "I feel it to be my duty." Would that people, who can hear, would have more of that sense of duty and appreciation of God's house.