Silas J. Reed

As printed in 1907

SILAS J. REED.

Silas J. Reed, who is engaged in farming on section 29, Victory township, making specialty of stock-raising with a fine herd of Herefords, was born in this township July 12, 1857. His father. Theodore P. Reed, was born in Ohio in 1836 and married Miss Sarah Hooks, whose birth occurred in Pennsylvania in 1838. They lived in Ohio for several years, and in April. 1857, settled nn section 29. Victoiy township, Guthrie county. This was then a frontier district in which the work of improvement had scarcely been begun. There were still many evidences of Indian occupancy here and the plains were covered with their wild grasses, while the timber was uncut and the streams unbridged. Most of the land was still in the possession of the government, and Mr. Reed entered a claim of eighty acres, upon which he built a log house, thus beginning life in true pioneer style. He and his family had driven from Burlington. Iowa, to Guthrie Center with ox teams. With characteristic energy he began plowing his land and transforming it into rich and productive fields, and he successfully carried on general farming until 1886, when he removed to Guthrie Center and there resided until 1891. In that year he went to Palisades. Colorado, where he later located, in 1902, and now owns and operates a fruit ranch. He has been a very successful man and still owns considerable land in Guthrie county. Unto him and his wife were born seven children, of whom four are yet living, namely: Silas J., of this review; Mrs. Lizzie Berkhalter. of Palisades, Colorado; James D., of that place; and Mrs. Bertha 'younger, of Palisades. The mother died in Guthrie Center in 1896.

Silas J. Reed acquired a common-school education by attending the district school near his father's home. He began work 011 the farm as soon as he was old enough to handle a horse and he gave his father the benefit of his service during the period of his minority. Later he engaged in farming on his own account on land which belonged to his father and was thus busily occupied until 1890. when he removed to Guthrie Center and established a livery barn, which he conducted for about five years, or until 1895. Mhen he returned to the farm upon which he now makes his home. He has here one hundred and twenty acres of land, which he leased from his father, and he has brought the fields under a high state of cultivation. He makes a specialty of raising cattle and has a fine herd of Herefords. all registered stock. He also raises Duroc Jersey hogs, and his stock-raising interests prove to him a profitable source of income.

On the nth of October. 1883, Mr. Reed was married to Miss Hetty Rich, who was born August i. 1857, and was a daughter of Lorenzo Dow Rich, who was born in Virginia. February 28. 1828. and died September 2y, 1896. His wife bore the maiden name of Barbara A. Bixler. and was born in Pennsylvania. May 14. 1836. She is still living, her home being now in Exira, Iowa. Mr. Rich came west to Illinois about 1850. settling in Livingston county. Illinois, where they lived until the spring of 1889. They then arrived in Guthrie county. Iowa, where the father purchased a farm, continuing its cultivation and improvement until he died. In the family were eight children, namely: Hetty; Pardon C. who is living at Lorah. Cass county. Iowa; Edward F., whose home is in Exira, Iowa; Mrs. Caroline Dafiford, of the same place; Mrs. Hannah Horton, of Lutz, Nebraska; Daniel, also of Exira; Mrs. Fannie Essington, of Brayton. Iowa, and Mrs. Nellie Nelson, of Lorah. Iowa.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Reed have been born seven children and the family circle vet remains unbroken by the hand of death. In order of birth these are as follows: Ward A., who was born August 29, 1884, and is now in Palisades, Colorado; Bonnie Blanch, born October 26, 1886; Theodore Perry, born November 3, 1890; Ila Moline. born April 25, 1893; Lorenzo Dow, born June 30, 1895; Helen Jet, born March 8, 1897, and Edwin James, born September 19, 1898. With the exception of the eldest son all are still at home.

Mr. Reed gives his political support to the republican party. He has been township treasurer; has also been assessor for a number of terms and now holds the office of secretary of the township board. His duties have ever been discharged with fidelity, and thus he has made an excellent record. He is also secretary of the Guthrie County Institute and secretary of Guthrie County Pet Stock and Poultry Association. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias lodge at Guthrie Center and is interested in all that pertains to the work of public improvement along material and political lines. His worth in business circles throughout the county is widely acknowledged and in the community where he lives he has many warm friends.

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.