Macajah Reeder

REEDER, EDMUNDSON

Posted By: Beverly Gerdts (email)
Date: 2/16/2021 at 13:35:12

Columbus Gazette, Columbus Junction, Iowa
Wednesday, June 3, 1896
page 1

Our neighboring county to the south has lost its pioneer resident in the death of Macajah Reeder, who passed away Friday afternoon at 4 o'clock at the home of his daughter, Mrs. R. H. Edmundson, in Concord township. He was the oldest surviving member of the legislature, having represented Louisa county in the House of Representatives in 1852-3. He was in the 85th year, and was one of the characters of the county, his life being part of its history since 1837, the year he came from Indiana. He was a native of Pennsylvania and lived in Ohio before coming to Indiana in 1835. In Indiana, Mr. Reeder identified himself with the M. E. church, entering the ministry. He had charge of a circuit there two years. In 1843 he joined the Iowa conference of the same church, traveling two years in the Crawfordsville circuit, one year on the Fairfield circuit, one on the Yellow Springs, Des Moines county, one on the Jackson county circuit, and served many years as a minister in Louisa county. He was distinctly a pioneer in his proclivities. He joined the California overland delegation from that county in '49 and about 25 years ago went to Kansas to aid in opening up the State. He purchased land of the government on coming to Louisa county. He was united in marriage seven times, and his last wife died 15 years ago. Three daughters are wives of leading citizens of Concord township. For the past two years he has been blind and death was the result of a paralytic stroke 36 hours before.