My Genealogy Hound

SAMUEL J. REED, a prosperous farmer and stock-raiser of Johnson County, moved to his present home on section 5, township 44, range 28, in 1883. Here he has a valuable homestead, comprising two hundred and ten acres, on which stand good buildings, fences, etc., which are kept in a thrifty manner. He is quite a leader in the local Democracy, and has served as a delegate to conventions frequently, but is not an office-seeker.

The parents of our subject are Samuel and Sarah (Adams) Reed, the former born in 1800, in Virginia, being of Scotch descent. His father died in the Old Dominion, and with his mother he moved to Kentucky when a lad of five or six years. About the time of reaching his majority, he was married, and to him and his wife were born seven sons and five daughters, of whom S. J. is the sixth. In 1836 the family moved to Howard County, Mo., making the journey with team and wagon. Mr. Reed purchased three hundred and twenty acres of land, and continued to dwell in Howard County until 1858, when he sold out, reinvesting in two hundred and eighty acres in Johnson County. By his extensive dealings in hogs and live stock, he made a fortune, and in order to sell them he made several trips to Kentucky, and sometimes went as far east as Virginia. In 1824 he cast his first Presidential ballot, and from that time forward was always a Democrat. His death occurred March 8, 1888, but his wife preceded him to the silent land several years, dying in April, 1872. One of his sons, Joseph, was killed in the Confederate service, at the battle of Prairie Grove, Ark.; and another son, Albert, died while in camp near Ft. Smith.

Samuel J. Reed was born in Montgomery County, Ky., May 28, 1832, and was only four years of age when he came across the country to Missouri. He received a fair common-school education, and continued to make his home with his father until past his majority. Following his father’s example, he commenced trading in horses to a small extent, and was quite successful. On the outbreak of the war he entered the Confederate service, and fought until the close of the conflict. He was present in the battles of Lexington, Carthage, Wilson Creek, Springfield, Iron Mountain, Prairie Grove and Cape Girardeau, besides participating in many skirmishes. Much of this time he was in the cavalry, and at Helena, Ark., he took part in the disastrous battle there, and also went with Price on his famous raid, every day being one of carnage. In his opinion the worst fight which he ever saw was one near Ft. Scott, Kan. When the southern army surrendered, he was at Shreveport, La., and afterward he returned home and resumed farming.

New Year’s Day, 1867, Mr. Reed married Miss Mary Scott, who was born on the 31st of October, 1842, and is a native of this county. Her father, Richard Scott, was a native of North Carolina, while her grandfather, William Scott, was born in Scotland. Her mother, who bore the maiden name of Jane Beatty, was born in Tennessee, and her maternal grandfather was a native of Ireland. Seven children graced the union of Mr. and Mrs. Reed. Florence married Van Reed, and lives in Kansas. Marion Albert, born July 25, 1871, took a commercial course at Sedalia, and recently has been engaged as a clerk at Latour. The younger children are Mollie L., Lena K., Nannie L., George Emmett and Octa Bernice. Lena K. is now a student at the State Normal at Warrensburg, and the other children are receiving good educational advantages. After his marriage Mr. Reed rented land for about two years, when he had acquired enough means to purchase eighty acres. Assisted by his faithful wife, who is a true helpmate, he is now the proprietor of a valuable homestead and enjoys a good income.