Source: The Biographical Record of Whiteside County, Illinois
Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company - 1900

Transcribed by: Denise McLoughlin
Tampico Area Historical Society
www.tampicohistoricalsociety.citymax.com

Page 376

John Reed, who owns and operates one hundred and eighty acres of land on section 12, Jordan township, Whiteside county, is one of the successful farmers of the community, and all that he has is the acquirement of years of earnest, honest toil. His has been an active and useful business career, and he commands the respect of all with whom he has een brought in contact.

Mr. Reed was born in Emerson, this county, May 21, 1855, a son of Benjamin and Harriet (Clark) Reed, who were natives of Franklin county, Pennsylvania, and were married there. They became  the parents of ten children, namely: Ellen, who became the wife of James McDowell, a farmer residing near Emerson, by whom she has five children; Frank, who died in childhood; Emily, wife of Joseph Bednar, now a resident of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, five children having been born of their union; George, who died in childhood; Kate, who like those named above was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, and is now the wife of Joseph Lockhart, of Topeka, Kansas; John, of this review; Reuben, a resident of Sterling, who married Barbara Kehr, and has five children: Clara, wife of Frank Taylor of Sterling, and the mother of two children; Arthur, twin brother of Clara; and Edna, the youngest of the family.

The subject of this review resided with his parents in Hopkins township, Whiteside county, until twenty-three years of age, and became familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. On leaving home he rented land and also worked for others until he purchased his present farm in Jordan township. He has been very successful in his farming operations, and although he began business for himself on a small scale he is now the owner of one of the valuable properites in the township. One hundred and eighy acres of rich land yeild to him a golden tributre in return for the care and labor he bestows upon it, and the excellent improvements and substantial buildings upon the place stand as monuments to his thrift and enterprise.

On the 28th of December, 1886, Mr. Reed was united in marriage to Miss Emma Carolus, a daughter of Isaac and Amelia (Binkley) Carolus, who were natives of Frankln county, Pennsylvania, but now reside in Sterling, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Reed now have three children: Alice, Ada and Clara,He is one of the leading citizens of the community, and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, have frequently called him to public office. He has served as school director and highway commissioner, discharging his duties with promptness and fidelity. He is a member of Sterling camp, No. 12, M. W. A., in politics is a Democrat, and religiously is coneected with the English Lutheran church. In all life's relations he is true and faithful to the trust reposed in him, and as one of the representative farmers of his native county, he well deserves mention in this volume.