Benjamin Reed

REED, PENNIWELL

Posted By: Linda Henderson (email)
Date: 10/22/2002 at 06:32:10

This was taken from a history book on Wapello County, Iowa. So far 1 mistakes has been found. Benjamin's father's name was Donovan not Dorman.

Benjamin Reed, a highly respected citizen of Green Township, is a native of Pickaway County, Ohio, born May 2, 1806. His parents were Dorman and Nancy (Penniwell) Reed., both natives of Delaware, who went to Ohio after their marriage and were among the early settlers of Pickaway County. His father served forty-five days in the War of 1812, under Gen. Harrison. Both parents were of Scotch and Welsh descent, and inherited from a worthy ancestry the excellent qualities peculiar to both nations. The parental family consisted of ten children, of whom the subject of our sketch was the eldest born. He was reared to farming pursuits and was trained to habits of industry and economy, and into his youthful mind were instilled those high moral principles which were characteristic of his parents and ancestors. At the age of twenty-one years Benjamin Reed commenced farming upon his own account in Vigo County, Ind., being located near Terre Haute, where he remained seven years, cultivating rented land. Previous to this, however, when a boy of thirteen years old, his parents had removed to Darke County, Ohio, and were living there while their son was farming in Indiana. At the expiration of the time mentioned he returned to Darke County, and locating upon a tract of rented land, operated it for five years, and from there, in 1840 went to St. Clair County, MO, near Monagan Springs, and entered forty acres of land, most of which was improved and under a good state of cultivation. He occupied this for five years, and then, recrossing the Father of Waters, again went into Indiana, locating in Gibson County, where he remained until the fall of 1845. He then retraced his steps, westward and came into Iowa to Wapello County, settling in Green Township, where he has since resided. At the time of coming here he entered forty acres of land, upon which he erected a log cabin. He was prospered in his agricultural pursuits, and added to his possessions as time passed on and his means accumulated, being now the owner of 359 acres, mostly improved and fenced. In early manhood Mr. Reed married, in 1829, to Miss Margaret Reed, of Ohio, and of their union there were born five children, as follows: Silas died in childhood; Sarah, born Dec. 5, 1832, is the wife of Andrew Murker of Lucas County, this state; Nancy married Joshua Cloyd, and is living in Adams Township; Anthony died at the age of twenty years. Mrs. Margaret Reed departed this life in October 1843. Mr. Reed was the second time married, in 1844, to Mis Delilah Lathom, a native of Gibson County, Ind., and a daughter of Jonathan L and Delilah (Potter) Lathom. Of this marriage there were born ten children: Marrita died in infancy; Mary Ann became the wife of Isaac Read, a merchant tailor of Nebraska; Amanda married Willoughby Orman, and died Oct. 4, 1869; Elizabeth became the wife of Merrit Nicols, of Green Towship; M.L. born Oct. 13, 1853, married Sarah Loper, and is engaged in farming in Green Township; Alice Jane, born Feb. 6, 1846 is the wife of William Kent, of Adams Township; Delilah, born September9, 1858, is the wife of Lawrence Kent, of Monroe County, Iowa; Benjamine F. was born Feb. 9, 1861, and lives at home; Thomas J., born March 14, 1862, is also at home; Maria May, born Jan 28, 1856, is the wife of A.J. Hicks, of Green Township. They have also raised two orphan grandchildren, William Orman born June 8, 1867 and Amanda Jane, Sept. 24, 1869. Mrs Reed is a member in good standing of the Christian Church. Mr. Reed has been Supervisor, Township Trustee and School Director. He is Democratic in politics, and takes an intelligent interest in the welfare of the community, contributing of his time and means in support and encouragement of every worthy enterprise. At the organization of the county, Mr. Reed and James Hollingsworth were the only men in Green township. Mr. Hollingsworth was made the first Clerk and Mr. Reed the first Trustee. There were then no roads to Ottumwa, and he had to pick his way through the timber. He traveled over a great deal of the Western Country, and from the outlook at that time he did not think it possible it would ever be settled up to any great extent for purposes of farming and as he wanted to go into the stock business, he thought this section would make good range for his cattle. But he was mistaken in his calculations. As the appearance of this section as the present day indicates. The pioneers began to come in one after another, and in due time the land around him was taken up by the enterprising pioneers, until the choicest portion of it had been entered and settled on. It was not many years before the humble cabins began to give way to present with the past, the changes which have occurred in a comparatively brief time seems more like a dream than reality.