Clearchus Reed

As printed in 1907

Clearchus Reed dates his residence in Guthrie county from 1868. He was then a young man of twenty-two, but already he had seen military experience upon the battlefields of the south, and had provided for his own support by an active business life at his old home in Ohio. He is well known in Guthrie county as a live-stock raiser and also owns and operates a mill. He has met with success as the years have gone by reason of his diligence and honorable dealings, and is now numbered among the substantial residents of this part of the state.

Mr. Reed was born in Little Sandusky, Ohio, on the 13th of August, 1846, and was one of twelve children of Saunders and Caroline (Teller) Reed. His father was born in Virginia in 1820 and removed to Ohio when about twenty-one years of age. There he learned and followed the trade of cabinetmaking, continuing at that business until 1870, when he came to Iowa. The year after he removed to Kansas, where he was engaged in cabinet-making until his death. He was a successful man, who accumulated a handsome competence, and at his demise left a large estate. He passed away in 1898, at the venerable age, of seventy-eight, having for more than two decades survived his wife, who died in 1876, when fifty-eight years of age, her birth having occurred in the state of New York in 1818. Only three of their large family of children are now living:

Clearchus, Mrs. Ida McIullen. of New Orleans, and Mrs. Minnie W'woodard. of Sioux City, Iowa.

Clearchus Reed spent his boyhood days in his parents' home, but when fifteen years of age he left the parental roof and became a soldier for his county. The Civil war was in progress and the fire of patriotism burned brightly in his breast. On the 26th of February, 1862, he joined the boys in blue, becoming a member of Company D, Fifteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He served for four years or until February 18, 1866, and was in all of the engagements from Greene River, Kentucky, to Atlanta, Georgia. He was also wnth Sherman in Goldsboro, afterward back to Atlanta, preceding the army of General Thomas. Later he participated in the engagement at Franklin and Nashville and afterward went to Huntsville, Alabama, to join the forces of General Grant. Later he was sent to New Orleans and afterward to San Antonio, Texas, where he remained until mustered out on the ist of February, 1866. He had been a most faithful soldier, never failing in the performance of any duty, whether it called him to the lonely picket line or to the firing line. But a boy in years, he displayed the same valor and fidelity as that of many old veterans of twice his age.

Vhen the war was o'er and the country no longer needed his aid, Mr. Reed returned to Ohio, where he made his homeuntil 1868. He then came to Guthrie county, desirous of enjoying better business opportunities than he believed he would secure farther east. After a short time he purchased land in this county and began farming, continuing to work in the fields until 1881, when he turned his attention to merchandising. He opened a store at Bear Grove, where he continued in business for eight years, and then r.emo'ed to Guthrie Center. In the county seat he opened a lumberyard and also began dealing in live stock, w'hile a year. later he further extended his business interests by dealing:

in grain. He also opened a store, which he conducted until 1905, being recognized as one of the leading merchants and business men of the city. He now owns and operates the mill at Guthrie Center and is also conducting business as a live-stock raiser. He possesses keen discrimination and notable sagacity, and his judgment is ever thorough and reliable. He has made judicious investments in property and is now the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of valuable land in Valley towaiship and sixteen hundred acres in Washington county, Illinois.

On February 15, 1873, -i'- Reed was married to Miss Jennie Eby. who was born in Rock Island, Illinois, in 1850. Her father. Joseph Eby, was born in Illinois in 1827 and died in 1873, while his wnfe, Mrs. Sarah (Moore) Eby, was also a native of Illinois, born in 183 1. Her death occurred in 1897. They were the parents of eight children, of whom four are yet living: Robert, who is living in Iowa; Norby, whose home is in Missouri; Mrs. Reed; and Mrs. Washburn, of Pennsvlvania. Mr. and Mrs. Eby came to Iowa in 1868 from Illinois and settled in Audubon county, where he purchased a fami, upon which both he and his,wife spent their remaining days.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Reed has been blessed with three children: Dana, who was bowi October 2, 1875, and married Florence Beghtel and is living at Palisades, Colorado: Melvin, born March 23, 1884, married Nina Dewey and lives in this county; Caroline, born January 12, 1889, who is at home. There is now one grandchild, Clearchus Reed, the son of Melvin Reed. Mr. and Irs. Reed are prominent socially, and the hospitality of the best homes of Guthrie county and of other counties is cordially extended to them.

Mr. Reed gives his political allegiance to the republican ]\arty. and has served in the office of councilman in Guthrie Center f(r eight years, in which position he has d()ne effective work for the interest of the community in the line of substantial improvements and upbuilding. He has been a member of the Masonic fraternity since 1881 and is a worthy followed of the craft. He has now attained high rank in the orgler, being a thirty-second degree Mason. He belongs to 'the Grand Army of the Republic and thus continues close relations with his old army comrades, and his wife is a member of the Presbyterian church. His life has been an open scroll inviting close scrutiny. His advancement represents the result of honest endeavor along lines where mature judgment has pointed the way. He possesses a weight of character, a native sagacity and discriminating judgment and a fidelity of purpose that commands the respect of all. He has made an honorable record and is recognized as one of the leading citizens of Guthrie Center.

As printed in Past and present of Guthrie County, Iowa : together with biographical sketches of many of its prominent and leading citizens and illustrious dead (1907). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.