My Genealogy Hound

JACOB REEDER. The gentleman whose sketch now claims our attention is filling the responsible office of Postmaster of Canoga, Seneca County. He was born in Perry County, Pa., April 9, 1832, and is the son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Moose) Reeder. He was in his eighth year when his parents made the journey to this state, choosing for their future home a farm in the town of Varick, Seneca County. This venture did not turn out as the father had expected, and two years later the family moved to Fayette, where Mr. Reeder, Sr., gave his attention to weaving.

The parental family was very large, and the father a poor man, so that what little education the children received was gained mainly by their own efforts. Jacob, of this sketch, began working out when only fifteen years old, and it was not until three years later that he found an opportunity to carry on his studies regularly. He obtained from his first position $7.50 per month, and so careful was he of his earnings, that two years and a-half later he was enabled to purchase a snug little home for his parents. He was still working out on the outbreak of the Civil War, and, being fired with the spirit of patriotism, enlisted, August 25, 1862, in Company D, One Hundred and Forty-eighth New York Infantry. While in the service he participated in many of the important battles of that period, his first engagement being at Clover Hill. Then occurred the fight at Drury’s Bluff, which was followed by the engagement at Cold Harbor, where, June 3, 1864, he was shot by a minie-ball and wounded just above the elbow. This injury proved so serious that his arm was obliged to be amputated, the operation being performed in the field hospital at Cold Harbor. He remained there from Friday until Sunday, when he was sent to Harwood Hospital, at Washington, D.C. There he received good nursing, and remained until July 22, when, with others, he was transferred to the hospital at Philadelphia. After two weeks in the Quaker City he was given a pass, and, returning home, staid for four months.

At the expiration of the above time Mr. Reeder returned to Philadelphia, where he remained until granted his honorable discharge, in February, 1865. After fully recovering from his army experience, our subject purchased a threshing-machine, which he operated during the harvest season, thereby acquiring a good income. He was married, February 26, 1867, to Miss Marilla Beck, who was born in the town of Fayette. That year he was elected Collector of the town, and, having purchased property in the community, made his home there until about 1881, when he sold out and moved with his family to Eaton County, Mich. He was a resident of the Wolverine State for two years, when he returned to New York on account of the illness of his wife. In 1885 he took up his abode in the village of Canoga, and in July, 1893, received the appointment of Postmaster of the place.

To Mr. and Mrs. Reeder there were born five children, of whom the youngest died in infancy. Those living are William, who is married and resides in Auburn, N. Y.; Clarence, a resident of the town of Fayette; Lurah, Mrs. Henry Snyder, a resident of the town of Junius; and Cynthia, now living with her parents.

In politics Mr. Reeder is a Democrat, although in early life he supported the candidates of the Whig party. He cast his first Presidential vote for Fillmore, in 1856, and cast a ballot for George B. MacClellan in 1864. He is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is active in all work of his congregation. Socially he is a Grand Army man, belonging to Cross Post No. 76, at Seneca Falls.