John Reed

JOHX REED.

On the present site of the elevator in Pleasant Hill stood the little home in which occurred the birth of John Reed. He was born May 12, 1818, his parents being John and Elizabeth (Miller) Reed, both of whom were natives of Wirginia, whence they emigrated westward to Ohio, making the journey with a four-horse team. This was about the year 18 14. The father purchased a farm, where occurred the birth of our subject, becoming owner of one hundred acres of land, which he bought from James and Robert Long. A few acres of the place had been cleared and upon it had been erected a log cabin containing one room with a luncheon floor. Mr. Reed afterward ]3urchased another farm of eighty acres in 1821. His death was occasioned by accident. He was struck by a falling limb and died a fewhours afterward. His wife survived for some time and passed away at the age of sixty-three years. In the family of this worthy couple were six children. Polly, who became the wife of Abraham Deeter and died at the age of sixty years: Betsey, who married Jacob Deeter; Sally, who is the wife of John Deeter and is living in Syracuse, Indiana, at the age of eighty-seven years; Frederick, who died when twelve years of age; John, of this review; and Caroline, deceased wife of J. K. Teeter.

After his father died, John Reed, of this review, went to Hve with Joshua Sowders, with whom he remained for two years. He then returned to his mother's home and after living with her for two years, spent some time in the home of an elder sister. At the age of fourteen he began working as a farm hand for five and a half dollars per month and was thus employed for two years, when he began learning the carpenter's trade in Covington, serving an apprenticeship of about the same time. He was then married, remaining on the old home farm where he lived for two years and then purchased eighty acres of land in Xewton township. Soon one-cjuarter of the place had been cleared and a log cabin afforded shelter for the family. With characteristic energy Mr. Reed continued its cultivation and development and soon the well tilled fields showed how earnestly he applied himself to the work of clearing and cultivating his land. He followed farming with gi;iod success in that place until 1885, when he removed to his present home, which had previously been owned by his father.

John Reed was married, in 1836, to Miss Katie Deeter, and by their marriage they became the parents of thirteen cliilrlren: Elizabeth, the widow nf Adam Urant; William; Jacob, David and Xancy, these three being deceased; Christina, wife of Samuel Furlong; Malinda, wife of Tilman Furlong; Lucintla, wife of F'eter Xull: Frederick; and four who died in infancy. The mother of this family passed away in 1893, "l i" 'O" vember, 1894, Mr. Reed married Mrs. Eliza Moist, widow of George Moist and a daughter of George Swank. She was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, in 1827, and by her first husband she had four children: Aaron, "Moses, Isabella, deceased, and Emma. Mr. Reed is truly a self-made man, for at a very early age he was thrown upon his own resources and has since depended entirely upon his own efforts to secure a livelihood. He was educated in the old-time subscription school, held in a log building, where greased paper was used for window panes. His advantages in that connection, however, as in all others, were very meager and it has been through his own efforts that he has become a well-informed man. His business ability has enabled him to accjuire a comfortable competence ami he now owns four acres of the old homestead, upon which he lives, and two farms, one of eighty acres and the other of one hundred and eight acres. His labors have been vigorously prosecuted and his life's record illustrates what can be accomplished by those who are not afraid cf hard work. In his political views he has always been a Republican and he and his wife are members of the Dunkard church. For eighty-two years he has resided in Miami county being one of its oldest native citizens and his life's history forms the connecting link between the pioneer past and the prosperous present.

As printed in A genealogical and biographical record of Miami county, Ohio (1900). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.