HARVEY REID, b 30 Mar 1842

REID, MATHEWS, MCCLAUGHRY, SUTTON, SUGG, MCMANIGAL, ELLEN, PEARSON, ALLEN

Posted By: Donna Moldt Walker (email)
Date: 9/17/2004 at 19:04:27

Harvey Reid, Treasurer of Jackson County, is conceded to be one of our ablest, most trusted and popular public officials. He is now serving a second term in the responsible office in which he has been placed by the suffrage of his fellow-citizens. He is a veteran of the late war, and is a fine representative of the volunteer soldier, who, with heroid self-sacrifice, quietly put aside all personal aims and ambitions in opening manhood, to assist in fighting his country's battles, and was an important factor in preserving the Union.

Mr. Reid was born in Argyle, Washington Co., N.Y., March 30, 1842. His father, William H. Reid, was born in the same town, Feb. 11, 1811, but his great-grandfather, who was also named William, was born in Scotland, near Glasgow. The great-grandfather of our subject came to America in Colonial times, and settled among the pioneers of Washington County, and there spent the remainder of his life, dying at the ripe old age of ninety-three years. His son Joseph, the grandfather of our subject, passed his entire life in his native county, engaged as a farmer. He was a member of the militia, and took part in the War of 1812, and was in the battle of Plattsburg. His eife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Mathews, was also a native of Washington County, and was of Scotch antecedents.

The father of our subject was reared in his native County, and early learned the trade of a carpenter, which he followed there until 1844. In that year he moved to Racine, Wis., and cast in his lot with the early settlers who had preceded him to that State, his removal being made by way of the Erie Canal to Buffao, and thence by the lakes to his destination. He established himself at his trade in that city, or village, as it then was, but a year later took up his abode in Yorkville Township, fifteen miles distant. He was actively engaged at carpentering in that place until 1851, when he built a hotel on the plank road leading from Racine to Janesville, and was engaged in its management and in conducting a store in connection with it until 1855, when a railway was built through that part of the country, and he moved to Union Grove Station to engage in the mercantile business, also dealing in grain and hay. He suffered financial loss with many others in the memorable panic of 1857, but by good management he was not utterly ruined.

Mr. Reid continued to reside in Union Grove until the year 1861, when he crossed the border into Illinois, and helped to build and organize the town of Shannon, erecting the first house that was ever put up within its limits, and opening it to the public as a hotel. He carried it on successfully until 1863, and in the spring of that year sold his property in that town, and making another move, crossed the Mississippi, came to Jackson County, this State, and made his home in Sabula. He engaged in various branches of business until failing health compelled him to retire from active life, and he spent his last years in Preston with his son, J. Edward, his death occurring on the 13th of September, 1887. The maiden name of his wife, mother of our subject, was Margaret McClaughry, and she was born in Kortwright, Delaware Co., N.Y. Her father, Thomas P. McClaughry, was a native of the same town, and was a son of Thomas McClaughry, a native of County Armagh, Ireland, although of Scotch ancestry. He came to America in the Colonial times with the Clinton colony and settled in Delaware County, and there passed the remainder of his life. The maternal grandfather of our subject was reared to the life of a farmer, and spent his entire life in his native county. The mother of our subject died Aug. 8, 1886. To her and her husband were born seven children, namely: Mary E., wife of Philip Sutton; our subject; Sarah A., wife of Dr. J.F.H. Sugg; James Edward; Eva E., wife of B.F. McManigal; Rebecca, wife of C.H. Maynard; and Charles C.

Harvey Reid, of this sketch, was but two years old when his parents removed from his native State to Wisconsin, and he received his early education in the public schools, where he was fitted for Madison University, in which institution he pursued a fine course of study. At the age of seventeen he commenced teaching, and taught three terms of winter school. He began to assist his father in his store as soon as large enough, and continued with him until 1862. His ardent young mind was thrilled with interest and excitement by the stirring events of the great Civil War, then in progress, and on the 7th day of the month of August, that year, he enlisted in Company A, 22d Wisconsin Infantry, and marched forth to defend the old flag on Southern battlefields. His regiment joined the Army of the Cumberland, and took an active part in many hotly contested engagements with the enemy; was present at Thomson Station and Brentwood, where severe battles were waged, and at the latter place our subject was taken prisoner. He was confined in Libby Prison a month, and was then discharged and joined his command at Franklin, Tenn. Early in 1864 his regiment was attached to the 20th corps, under the command of Gen. Hooker, and after joining Sherman's force in Chattanooga, started on the grand march to the sea. Mr. Reid and his comrades took part in the most important battles of that campaign, and continued with their brave leader to the sea; thence went up through the Carolinas and Virginia, by the way of Richmond to Washington, and there paraded in the grand review, and were subsequently discharged early in July, the war having closed, and the Government having no further need for their services as soldiers.

After leaving the army Mr. Reid came to Iowa, and in Sabula engaged with the Iowa Packing Company as bookkeeper, retaining that position until January, 1886, when his long and faithful service with his employers was brought to a close, he having been called to public life to take charge of the county treasury, being elected Treasurer in the fal of 1885. His administration of the affairs of that responsible office was so meritorious and perfectly satisfactory, that in the fall of 1887 he was re-elected guardian of the public funds, and is still honorably filling that position.

Mr. Reid and Miss Lunette A. Ellen* were united in marriage Jan. 28, 1867, and their union has been blessed to them by the birth of three children - Ella M., Addie L., and May A. Ella is the wife of Fred N. Pearson, of Eustis, Frontier Co., Neb. Mrs. Reid was born in Watertown, Mich., and is the daughter of the Hon. Morris S. Allen*. Her father was born in Exeter, Otsego Co., N.Y., in 1809. He came to Iowa in 1838, and was one of the first settlers of Sabula. He was the first Justice of the Peace of Jackson County, appointed in 1839. He lived there a few years, and then returned eastward and settled in Clinton County, Mich. He established himself in the mercantile business, and at the same time operated a flour mill while a resident of that State. He was elected to the Michigan Senate, and in 1844 was elected Sheriff of Clinton County, that State. In 1856 he returned to Iowa, bringing with him his family, and soon became an influential citizen of Jackson County, a leading spirit among its pioneers. He engaged in farming for a time and then turned his attention to the grain business, establishing himself at Sabula. In 1867 he was elected County Sheriff, and served six years. After his return to private life he engaged in banking at Miles for a time. In 1884 he returned to Sabula, and died there Jan. 13, 1886. The maiden name of Mrs. Reid's mother was Maria Hudson. She was a daughter of Benjamin Hudson, one of the earliest pioneers of Jackson County, Iowa. She was a native of Connecticut, and died in Sabula in 1864.

Our subject is a generous, high-spirited, whole-souled man, who has made many warm personal friends since he took up his residence in this county. In public as in private life he is the same honorable, straightforward man, and none have ever ventured to impugn his motives or asperse his character. He is prominently connected with the following organizations: He is A.A.G. of the Eastern Iowa Veteran Association, and belongs to the society of Union Veterans, organized in 1868; he is a member of Resurgam Lodge No. 169, A.F. & A.M.; Bathkol Chapter, R.A.M.; Jackson Lodge No. 33, I.O.O.F.; and also of Peerless Lodge No. 60, K. of P.

* Both surnames copied exactly as printed in original volume.

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