Reed, Daniel A. 1830 - 1911

REED TOPLIFF, HOOK

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 7/14/2023 at 08:55:43

Source: Decorah Republican Jan. 26, 1911, P2 C3

DANIEL A. REED PASSES AWAY
WAS THE OLDEST SURVIVING PIONEER OF THE COUNTY
Came to Winneshiek in 1848 and Resided for Nearly Sixty Years in Decorah.
Daniel A. Reed, the ranking pioneer of Winneshiek pioneers and an honored citizen of Decorah for many years, died Tuesday night at his home on Washington street after an illness of two weeks. Three weeks ago he was about town, and in spite of his nearly eighty-one years, gave no evidence of his age such as is customary with elderly people. Shortly thereafter an eruption appears on one of his cheeks, but this soon healed up, only to be followed by an affliction of the kidneys which baffled the skill of his physician.
Mr. Reed was a native of Ohio. He was born on February 1, 1820{?}, in Union county, and was the son of David an Mary Reed. When his parents came to Iowa in 1848 he accompanied them. This made him one of the very first of the pioneer settlers and he experienced all the hardships to which the settlers of a new country fall heir.
Reared as a farmer, he afterward identified himself with the steam milling business as an operator of machinery. Subsequently he engaged in the blacksmith business, beginning in 1867, his shop for years being located where the Knorr harness shop now stands. Altogether he followed this trade about thirty-five years, and he resided in Decorah fifty-eight years. His father was the first county judge of this county and Mr. Reed was, through this association, brought actively in contact with the affairs--social, business and political—of the community. When, in an early day, the charter of Winneshiek Lodge I. O. O. F., was transferred from Ossian to Decorah, he became the first Noble Grand, and his membership with the order continued almost continuously up to the time of his death. Never a man to be very demonstrative, he possessed a quiet geniality that won and retained friends. In all his daily life he was a man of highest integrity and strict probity.
On August 23, 1851, at Postville, he was united in marriage with Mary L. Topliff, daughter of Judge Topliff, a pioneer Allamakee county resident. To them four children were born. Their youngest son, Adelbert, died a number of years ago, and there remains their sons D. E. and E. T. Reed, and their daughter, Mrs. E. J. Hook, to console the mother in her bereavement.
The funeral will be held at the home this afternoon at two o’clock. The service will be in charge of the Odd Fellows and Rev. H. H. Green will deliver the funeral sermon.

Transcriber’s His gravestone in Phelps Cemetery shows he was born in 1830.

Phelps Cemetery
 

Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Jeff Getchell.
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