For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 773
GEORGE REEDER....George Reeder, auditor and treasurer of the Muscatine North & South Railway Company, who makes his home in Muscatine, comes from a distinguished family and is related to many men and women whose name occupy an honored place in the history of America. He was born in Muscatine, April 20, 1862, and ia s son of Dr. George and Almira Louise ( Olds ) Reeder, the former a native of Maryland and the later of Ohio. The father was a graduate of William and Mary College, Virginia, and also of the medical department of the University of Maryland. He was one of the pioneers of Muscatine, arriving here in 1839. He engaged in the practice of his profession with unusual success, becoming known as one of the leading physicians in Muscatine county. Though a southerner by birth he held the integrity of the Union paramount to all other considerations. Accordingly, although not in good health, he accepted an appointment as surgeon of the Second Cavalry of Iowa, entering the service in October, 1861. He accompanied his regiment to the field. but the hardships of campaigning proved too severe for his strength and he was compelled to resign on the 2d of June, 1862. He reached home almost exhausted and departed this life on the 20th of June, ten days after his return. He died at forty-two years of age, his birth having occurred August 3, 1820. He was regarded by those who knew him best as one of nature's noblemen. He was a fine scholar and as a physician had few equals in this part of the state. As to character, no man stood higher. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Reeder : Nellie O., who became the wife of George B. Glessner, of Springfield, Ohio, and is now deceased ; Esther, who married Dr. F. H. Little, of Muscatine, and is also deceased ; William H., who became an admiral of the United States navy and was retired with the rank of rear admiral, June 30, 1907 ; and George, our subject. The mother was married again, her second husband being F. L. Dayton. Of this union one son, John H., was born. He is now a member of the United States navy and ranks as lieutenant commander. The mother was called away in August, 1901, at the age of sixty-nine years. She was a member of the Episcopal church as was also Dr. Reeder.The maternal grandfather of our subject was Dr. Benjamin S. Olds. He was a native of Bennington, Vermont, and migrated to Ohio, where he was married in 1830 to Theresa Herron. They lived at South Bloomfield and Circleville, Ohio, for nine years and came to Muscatine in 1839. He died in California at an advanced age and his wife passed away in Muscatine, March 1, 1894. They were the parents of three children, Almira Louise, BenjaminS., and one who died in infancy. He was a member of a remarkable family of twelve brothers who were reared at Bennington and who settled in various parts of the west. Dr. Edson B. Olds located in Ohio and became famous as a congressman from that state. Chauncey Olds was elected lieutenant governor ; Chester Olds became a prominent merchant ; Gamalial Olds was a well known pioneer of Muscatine county ; and William R. Olds was also a prominent resident of this county.
The subject of this review was reared in Muscatine under the favoring influences of a happy home and educated in the public schools. He began his business career in the office of the Rock Island Railway Company as accountant. In 1899 he entered the employ of the Muscatine North & South Railway Company and one year later was made auditor and treasurer of the company, which office he still holds.
On the 29th of December, 1886, Mr. Reeder was united in marriage to Miss Laura M. Phillips, a daughter of John and Mary E. ( Murlin ) Phillips. Mrs. Reeder was born in Mendon, Mercer county, Ohio, December 3, 1865. Her father was a native of Glamorganshire, South Wales and the mother of Mendon, Ohio. Mr. Phillips was a soldier of the Civil war, serving as sergeant in Company D, Seventy-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and continued in the army for four years. He lived in Muscatine for a number of years and also in Oskaloosa, Iowa, where he practiced law and served as mayor of the city. He was a man of marked ability and many noble characteristics. He passed away in March, 1895, at Ashland, Kentucky, at the age of fifty-three years, and was buried at Mendon, Ohio. His wife died at Columbus, Ohio, August 29, 1908, at the age of sixty-three years. There were seven children in their family, Laura, John D., Josephine, Mahala. Cora, Harriet and Esther. John Phillips, the paternal grandfather of Mrs. Reeder was a native of Wales. He came to American when he was about twelve years of age and after reaching manhood married Margaret Davis. The maternal grandfather was Daniel Murlin, who was a native of New York state and a pioneer of Mercer county, Ohio. He was twice married and the father of ten children, one of his wives being Laura Davis.
Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Reeder, Mary Louise, Frederick and George. The parents are both members of the Episcopal church and active assistants in all undertakings of the community aiming to promote the public welfare. Mr. Reeder gives his allegiance to the republican party but has never sought political office, as he is essentiallya business man and in the field of finance has abundant opportunity for the exercise of his abilities. He possesses the esteem and good-will of all with whom hecomes in contact.
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