Rev. Edwin James Gillett Reid (1865-1920)

REID

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 9/24/2016 at 22:44:08

From Nevada Representative May 30, 1920 (page 6)

OBITUARY

EDWIN J. G. REID
(Tribute by W. P. Payne.)

Nearly two months ago a somewhat indefinite announcement of the death of Rev. E. J. G. Reid appeared in local and other papers, but very little information as to when and where and other details seemed to be obtainable. At that time we much regretted the absence of such data as would enable us to place on record a kindly word of remembrance. The recent publication in the Penticostal Herald of a quite full account of his life activities and death furnishes us data at least a brief tribute.

Edwin J. G. Reid was a lad of ten come next September forty-five years ago, when we took charge of the public schools of Nevada During the five years of our administration, we remember him as an agreeable youngster and a teachable pupil. He was ambitious to be well educated and to be serviceable to his day and generation. We were familiar with his activities during his residence in Nevada and Des Moines and remember them as being along right lines. We recall with pleasure his graduation from our high school, his marriage, and his association with his father in the publication of the "Highway." Of his later activities outside this vicinity and of Iowa, we were less familiar, but still learned enough of his work and influence to make us glad he was native of Nevada, a graduate of its educational institution and a worthy product of its high grade citizenship and community institutions as a whole.

Much of his word in life had been along the semisecular lines of denominational publications, but the blood of preacher coursed in his veins and impelled him all the way along to preach the gospel as he understood it, more or less frequently, and as opportunity presented. At the last, however, he dropped all secular occupation and devoted all his energies to the work of ministry. And for the last fifteen years of his life did (we are told) most excellent service; and this, much of the time, under the serious handicap of very ill health. But his attachment and devotion to his calling were so compelling that he did not cease his ministerial labors until the last and literally died with his armor on. His denominational affiliation was with the M. E. church and his work was mainly in the North Dakota conference. He is survived by his faithful wife, a son and three daughters, all of whom are kindly remembered by the old time friends of the family who still abide on the shores of time here or elsewhere.