My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM REED. Prominent among the old and respected citizens of Jasper county, is the subject of this sketch. Mr. Reed was born in Berkshire county, Mass., April 15, 1815. His parents, Elkanah and Laura (Crocker) Reed, were also natives of the Bay State. Subject remained in his native county until about twenty-two years of age. His early years were spent in agricultural pursuits and attending school. At sixteen he commenced to learn the trade of carriage-maker, served a full apprenticeship, and continued there for some time. He then went to New Orleans and worked at his trade until the summer of 1860, when he traded for lands in this county and soon after moved his family here, locating where he now resides. Since coming here he has engaged extensively in stock-raising. During the war our subject took no active part, but like most others in this and neighboring counties, he lost most every movable thing. He retained however, “his land and his scalp,” and with his energy and enterprise he soon amassed sufficient of this world’s goods to place him again in a comfortable position. Mr. Reed was married in New Orleans, La., Oct. 12, 1853, to Mrs. Angelica Bond, daughter of John B. Waltz, of Virginia. From this union there were four children: Spencer, born Sept 24, 1854; Anna, born Feb. 11, 1858, now widow of Solomon Woodmanse; Flora, born April 22, 1860, died Jan. 10, 1865; and Fred, born July 31, 1867. Mrs. R. died Jan. 21, 1874, in this county. Mr. Reed was again married in Lawrence county, Mo., Oct. 26, 1876, to Mrs. Emeline A, Spencer, daughter of Samuel and Esther Cross, of Vermont. Mrs. R. is a member of the Methodist Church. Mr. Reed owns nearly one thousand acres of choice lands, situated near Reed’s Station, mostly in a fine state of cultivation. His home, a view of which is given in this volume, is beautifully located on an eminence one-fourth mile north of the station which bears his name. He is a man of extraordinary business qualifications, active, energetic, enterprising and philanthropic; few men have risen more rapidly or given more for benevolent purposes. His many deeds of kindness and generosity will ever be held in grateful memory by a large circle of friends.