In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1842, Franklin Township
From History of Portage County, Ohio (1885)
LEVI REED, liveryman, Kent, was born in Franklin Township, this county, September 8, 1842; son of James H. and Thirza (Scranton) Reed, who were among the early settlers of the township. He was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools and the Oberlin Commercial College. After he became of age he worked on a farm by the month for two years, and in 1864 enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and Eighty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served till the close of the war. He was married, October 3, 1867, to Clarissa C., daughter of Joseph B. and Ruth (Olin) Stratton, who settled in Franklin Township, this county, in 1837, and by this union there were live children: Willie, Lorena, Joseph A. (deceased), Leona and Leroy. After his marriage Mr. Reed engaged in farming for two years, and in 1869 located in Kent. For three years he worked in the railroad shops, after which he engaged in the coal business, feed and grocery store and livery business with his brothers Luther A. and L. G. In 1882 Mr. Reed embarked in the livery business on his own account, in which he has been profitably engaged till the present time. He is a member of the G. A. R., and both he and wife are members of the TJniversalist Church. In politics he is a Republican.
As printed in History of Portage County, Ohio (1885). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1885. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.