GEORGE W. REEDER

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George W. Reeder and Mrs. Emma S. Reeder

A student of history cannot carry his investigations far into the annals of Cedar county without learning of the prominent part which the Reeder family has played in the upbuilding and development of this section of the state along the lines of material, intellectual and moral progress. In all matters of progressive citizenship the Reeders have stood for that which most greatly benefits the community and George W. Reeder was no exception to this rule. His life was actuated by honorable principles and characterized by manly conduct. He was one of four brothers who have made the name an honored one in Cedar county. They were the sons of George and Sophia Reeder.

He whose name introduces this review was born in Goshen, Clermont county, Ohio, September 21, 1833, and was a youth of seventeen years when, in the fall of 1850, he came with his parents to Cedar county, Iowa, remaining thereafter a resident of this district until his death, which occurred July 30, 1890. He was reared to the occupation of farming and throughout his entire life engaged in agricultural pursuits and in stock-raising. He became the owner of two hundred and forty acres of rich land about three and one-half miles northwest of Tipton and resided thereon from the time of his marriage until his death. In addition to that property he became the owner of forty-five acres on Rock creek. He lived the quiet and industrious but useful life of a farmer, and his energy, activity and perseverance in business brought him a substantial capital, enabling him to leave his family in comfortable financial circumstances.

On the 26th of November, 1867, Mr. Reeder was united in marriage to Miss Emma S. Horn, who was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, November 23, 1846, and came to Cedar county with her parents in 1854. They settled about three miles south of Tipton and Mrs. Reeder has since made her home in this vicinity, having been a resident of Tipton for the past fifteen years. She is a daughter of J. C. and Mary (Filson) Horn, who were natives of Bedford county, Pennsylvania, where they resided until they came to Iowa, spending their remaining days upon a farm in Cedar county. The mother, who was born March 6, 1820, died on the 1st of September, 1877, and the father, who was born January 24, 1819, survived his wife for some years, passing away on the 15th of March, 1884. Both were consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in the work of which they took an active and helpful part, contributing in large measure to its upbuilding and guiding their lives in accordance with its teachings. The father was a republican in his political views and held a number of local offices. In the Horn family were the following children: Mrs. Martha Edge and Mrs. Elizabeth Miller, both of whom are now deceased; Mrs. Reeder; Melinda M., who died in early womanhood; William H., who has passed away; J. S., of Omaha, Nebraska; and G. P., who is living near St. Edward, Nebraska.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Reeder there were born six children: Alfred F., now a resident of Tipton; Bertha, the wife of J. W. Batcheller of Yankton, South Dakota; Harry H., a banker of Goldfield, Iowa; Bessie, at home; Floyd, who is living on a farm near Tipton; and Nellie, who is now teaching in the university at Columbia, Missouri. She is a graduate of Cornell College and the other children also attended Cornell College, of which institution three are graduates.

Mr. Reeder was a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church from 1870 until his death and took an active and helpful part in church work, cooperating in many movements for the moral advancement of the community. In politics he was a stanch republican with firm faith in the principles of the party and held some local offices. While his life was a quiet one, it was also the embodiment of many of the elements of strong and honorable manhood. He closely followed the principles which he believed to be right and his fidelity in citizenship, his reliability in business and his integrity and loyalty in other relations of life gained for him the warm regard of all with whom he came in contact. He passed away July 30, 1890, but is yet kindly remembered by all who knew him.