Erastus P. REED, one of the leading farmers of Washington Township, was born in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, October 3, 1850, a son of William and Amanda (YOUNG) REED, who were also natives of the State of Pennsylvania, the mother born in Center County.

When our subject was four years old they removed to Adams County, Illinois, and eighteen months later, settled in Brown County, Illinois, where they lived about eight years. In the fall of 1864, they came to Iowa, locating in Delaware County, where they remained three years.

In the fall of 1867 they came to Ringgold County, and the first three years lived on section 33, of Washington Township, when they removed to section 24 of the same township, the latter farm containing forty acres, which is now owned by our subject, besides which he owns eighty-four acres of land in Liberty Township, where the father died, June 17, 1885, leaving a wife and two sons and one daughter - Erastus P., the subject of this sketch; Homer, a practicing physician of Worth County, Missouri; and Luella J., at home with her mother.

Erastus P. was reared a farmer, and in his youth attended the common schools, and one term at Lennox Institute, in Delaware County, Iowa, where he received a fair education.

He remained with his parents till his marriage, in 1884, to Miss Lucy H. MILLER, a native of Cleveland, Ohio, who came to Iowa when seventeen years of age, and taught school for six years in Ringgold County. To Mr. and Mrs. REED have been born one daughter - Floy Aileen.

Mr. REED has always followed farming and stock-raising, and is now the owner of 130 acres of well-improved land, and six acres of timber. In politics, like his father, he is a staunch Republican. His father was magistrate of Washington Township for many years. He was township clerk for two terms, and was a most highly-respected citizen.

Mr. and Mrs. REED are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. His parents were members of the same denomination, to which his mother still belongs.

SOURCES:
Biography & Historical Record of Ringgold County, Iowa, Pp. 276-77, 1887.

WPA Graves Survey

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, January of 2009

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