MRS. EMMA A. (WITHAM) REED

REED, WITHAM, BEVERCOMBE

Posted By: Norma Nielson (email)
Date: 12/31/2004 at 12:52:31

Mrs. Emma A. (Witham) Reed, well known in Orient, was born in Dubuque county, Iowa, a daughter of W. W. and Elmira Witham. Her entire life has been passed in this state and to its public school system she is indebted for the educational privileges which she received. In 1879 she gave her hand in marriage to W. H. Reed, who was born in Jones county, Iowa, January 11, 1857, a son of Andrew and Letitia (Henry) Reed, both of whom were natives of Ireland. Crossing the Atlantic to America in 1849, they first took up their abode in Pennsylvania but afterward removed to Dubuque county, Iowa, and subsequently became residents of Jones county, this state. In 1875 they established their home in Adair county, Iowa, and in 1879 removed to Kansas, where their remaining days were passed. In their family were ten children, including W. H. Reed. As previously state, he wedded Miss Emma A. Witham and they became the parents of seven children, as follows: G. A., who is a practicing attorney in New Mexico; Ella E., who is the wife of A. L. Bevercombe, an agriculturist of Adair county; W.W., engaged in farming in this county; M. W., who is deceased; Reva M., who is at home; Audra Knox; and Howard Eugene.

Mr. and Mrs. Reed spent fourteen years in Thomas county, Kansas, of which county Mr. Reed’s father was the first settler and build the first frame house there. Both Mr. and Mrs. Reed worked on a cattle range and he also drove a stage between Colby and Sherman Center, Kansas. He made a business of catching wild horses and for four years served as deputy sheriff of Thomas county. In 1892 he and his wife returned to Iowa. Mrs. Reed is the owner of valuable farm property in Adair county, her holdings embracing two hundred acres of rich and arable land in Orient township and three hundred and twenty acres in Summerset township. She also owns four hundred and eighty acres in Sherman county, Kansas, and her Iowa land is all highly improved. The farm methods utilized in carrying on the work are most modern, and excellent results therefore accrue, large harvests being annually gathered as a reward for the care and cultivation bestowed upon the lands.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Reed are members of the Congregational church and he belongs also to the Masonic lodge at Orient, to the Elks lodge at Creston and to the Modern Woodmen camp, while both he and his wife hold membership in the Royal Neighbors, ii which Mrs. Reed has filled all of the chairs. Both are widely known in this part of the state, where they have long resided, and the circle of their friends has constantly increased as the circle of their acquaintance has broadened. They are now ranked among the most substantial residents of Adair county, their property holdings bring to them splendid financial return, and at the same time their interest in and support of measures for the public good are manifest in many tangible ways.

Note: three photos available in original volume

Source: "History of Adair County Iowa and its People," Volume II (Chicago, The Pioneer Publishing Company), 1915.