W. E. REED
W. E. Reed, a highly esteemed
farmer living retired in Pleasanton, was born in Carroll county, Ohio, February
15, 1842, a son of William and Susanna (Scott) Reed. The father, who was a native of Ireland,
emigrated to America with his parents in 1818, the family residence being
established in Ohio, where his father followed agricultural pursuits. William Reed removed to Madison county, Iowa,
in 1855 and purchased land, to the operation of which he devoted the remainder
of his life. He passed away in
1857. His wife, who was a native of
Virginia, died in 1905.
W. E. Reed was reared and
educated in Ohio and Madison county, Iowa, and remained with his mother until
he was about eighteen years of age. He
then began working as a farm hand and was so engaged until the outbreak of the
Civil war, when he put aside all personal considerations and enlisted in
Company I, Fourth Iowa Volunteer Cavalry, with which he served for three years
and eight months. At the close of
hostilities he returned to Madison county, Iowa, and rented and there until
February, 1896. In that year he went to
Mercer county, Missouri, and purchased land which he cultivated for six
years. In 1902, feeling that he had
acquired a competence, he retired from active life and removed to Pleasanton,
where he has since resided, enjoying well earned leisure.
In 1881 Mr. Reed married Miss
Rose Jolly, a daughter of Beden and Lucinda (Simpkins) Jolly, both natives of
Iowa. The father farmed in Warren, Van
Buren and Madison counties, Iowa, bur for the past thirty years has operated a
truck farm near St. Joseph, Missouri.
Mr. And Mrs. Reed have become the parents of four children: Merton, who is farming in Hamilton township,
Decatur county; Oscar, at home; Ivan, also a farmer of Hamilton township; and
Donald, who died in 1892.
Mr. Reed is a republican and
has given stanch support to the party which stood by the Union in the time of
its peril. His religious belief is that
of the Methodist Episcopal church and no movement characterized by high moral
endeavor lacks his support and cooperation.
He has many excellent qualities which have gained him the respect and
esteem of those who know him.