JAMES J REED, b 22 Jul 1837

REED, LANGDALE, DRUMMOND

Posted By: Donna Moldt Walker (email)
Date: 9/17/2004 at 18:50:51

Dr. James J. Reed, a representative physician and surgeon of Bellevue, has his residence pleasantly located on Third street, and his office near at hand on the same street. He is recognized as one of the leading practitioners of this county, following his profession with that conscientious regard to duty and principle, which has established him in the esteem and confidence of his patrons and fellow-citizens.

A native of St. Louis, Mo., our subject was born July 22, 1837, and is the son of Samuel and Victoria (Langdale) Reed, the father a native of the North of Ireland, and the mother born in the same city as her son, our subject. They left Missouri in the fall of 1848, coming to this county, and have since been residents of Bellevue, which was then but an embryo town. The Doctor acquired his early education in the public schools, being graduated from the High School at Bellevue, and later attended the Academy at Maquoketa one year. He began the study of medicine in 1858, under the instruction of Dr. J.W. Cowden (then of Bellevue, but now of Rock Island, Ill.), with whom he remained two years. At the expiration of this time the outbreak of the Civil War turned his thoughts in another direction, and he shortly afterward enlisted as a Union soldier in Company L, 1st Iowa Cavalry, which was assigned to the army of the frontier, and operated mostly in Missouri, Arkansas and Texas.

Our subject participated in many of the important engagements of that campaign, being present at the battle of Prairie Grove, and meeting the enemy in minor engagements and skirmishes. His duties, however, consisted largely in scouting and getting supplies, in short the employments of the general cavalry service - being most of the time under the command of Gen. Herron. He received his honorable discharge in September, 1864, and returning to Bellevue, continued his medical studies under his former preceptor, Dr. Cowden. He entered upon his first course of lectures at Rush Medical College, Chicago, prior to enlisting in the army, and after his return from the service completed them there, being graduated Jan. 1, 1866.

Dr. Reed commenced the regular practice of his profession at Bellevue, and has continued it uninterruptedly in the town and country around, up to the present time. He is a close student, has bent his energies to the important details of his profession, and this quality in his character has proved the secret of his success. From the time of reaching man's estate, he has been recognized as a worthy member of the community with whose interests he has identified himself, and he has ever been willing to contribute his time and influence toward the furtherance of those measures calculated for the general good, socially, morally and financially. He officiated as a member of the School Board for a period of six years, and is serving his third term as a member of the City Council. In politics, he is a decided Republican, and socially he belongs to the Masonic fraternity, with which he has been identified since 1860.

The 19th of November, 1874, witnessed the marriage of Dr. John J. Reed with Miss Phebe Drummond, the wedding taking place at the bride's home in Spring Brook. Mrs. Reed was born April 15, 1857, in California, and by her union with our subject, became the mother of one child, a son, Julian. The latter is a bright and promising youth, and is being given the advantages which will fit him for a worthy and honorable station in life. The family residence is an elegant brick structure, pleasantly situated, and with its surroundings forms one of the most attractive features of the town of Bellevue. The Doctor and his family enjoy the friendship and acquaintance of the best people of their community, and their home is the acknowledged abode of culture and refinement.

("Portrait and Biographical Album of Jackson County, Iowa", originally published in 1889, by the Chapman Brothers, of Chicago, Illinois.)