Elias M Reed

REED

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 3/11/2009 at 16:21:43

Elias M Reed is a worthy representative of the farming interests of Boone county. He raised on Sec 33, Peoples township, and is a native of Lake county, Indiana, born October 5, 1841. His father, Thomas Reed was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in December 1812, while the grandfather was James Reed, who at an early day left the Keystone state and went to Ohio, becoming an early settler of that state. He lived in different counties there. Thomas Reed grew to manhood in Ohio and afterward married Maria Myrick, a native of Maine, who had gone to the Buckeye state during her early childhood. After his marriage Mr Reed gave his attention to farming for a number of years and one son was born unto him and his wife in that state. Removing to Indiana, he settled in Lake county where he secured a tract of land and his labors resulted in making it an arable farm. Eight children were added to the family during their residence on that place. In 1853 they came to Iowa, settling in Warren county in June. Much of the land was still in the possession of the government and Mr Reed secured a claim, entering 80 acres. In a short space of time this was fenced, indicating his individual ownership. The breaking plow made its way across the fields and in course of time the seed planted in the spring brought forth good harvests in the autumn. On this place Mr Reed reared his children and spent his last days, passing away in 1889, while his wife survived him until 1895 when she too was called to her final rest.
Elias M Reed was only twelve years of age when he came to Iowa with his parents and upon the home farm in Warren county he was reared. He worked in the fields as his strength would permit, his capacity growing with the years, and to his father he rendered substantial assistance. In February 1862, however he put aside farm work in order to espouse the cause of the Union and enlisted as a private of Company G, Fifteenth Iowa Infantry and with is regiment he went to the south and was attached to the army of the Tennessee under General Sherman. The first battle in which he participated was that of Shiloh and later he took part in the engagement at Corinth, where he was wounded by a gunshot through both legs. This permanently disabled him and he was off duty for ten months. After being in the hospital for a few months he was allowed to return home on a short furlough. When his leave of absence had expired he rejoined his regiment at LaFayette, Tennessee, and was afterward in the siege of Vicksburg and aided in the capture of that strong rebel city. Subsequently he veteranized and because of this was granted a thirty day furlough which he spent with his family in Iowa and then joined Sherman on the Atlantic campaign. Again he was wounded on July 22, 1864, at the city of Atlanta, sustaining a flesh wound in the left arm. Again he was incapacitated for duty and was allowed to return home. Later he went to Keokuk, remaining in the hospital there for some time. When he had sufficiently recovered he was again sent to the front and joined General Sherman’s command at Raleigh. He then marched through to Richmond and on to Washington, taking part in the splendid military pageant which closed the war, wave after wave of “bayonet crested blue” passing by the review stand on which the president stood watching that splendid American army that had preserved the Union. Mr Reed was then sent back to Kentucky with his regiment and was mustered out at Louisville, receiving an honorable discharge at Davenport, Iowa in July, 1865.
For two years after the war Mr Reed assisted in the work of the home farm. He was married in Mahaska county, Iowa in April 1866 to Mahala E Byerly, who was born in Vinton county, Ohio, and was reared there coming to Iowa when a young lady. In the fall of 1867 Mr Reed removed with his young wife to Grundy county, Missouri, spending eth winter in Trenton and the following spring he located upon the farm which he operated for three years after which he returned to Iowa and was engaged in farming for several years in Warren county. In 1871 he came to Boone county and after renting land for a few years he bought 80 acres in Dallas township, a few miles south of Perry. For six years he lived upon the farm and then traded it for his present farm on which he located in 1885. Beginning then to further develop and improve the property, he has now a well equipped farm supplied with al the accessories and conveniences found upon the model farm of the twentieth century. In addition to the cereals which he which he cultivates he also raises good graded stock.
Mr and Mrs Reed have five living children: Ella, the wife of S B Weaver of Dallas county, J F who is married and resides in Woodward, Iowa, O H who is married and makes his home in Dallas county, E T, who is in business for himself, and E M who assists in the operation of the home farm. They also lost two children Ida V, who died at the age of one years, and Verna who died at the age of five years.
Politically Mr Reed is independent. He does not consider himself bound by part ties but votes as his judgment dictates. H has been elected justice of the peace but he would not qualify, not caring to hold nay political position. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and fraternally he is connected with the Masonic lodge at Woodward. Thoroughly understanding the teachings of the craft he exemplifies its virtues in his life and is most loyal to the order. In business affairs he has prospered as the years have gone by and today he owns an excellent farm of 80 acres in Peoples township.

1902 Boone County History Book