My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in The History of Lawrence County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1888.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

* * * *

C. A. Reed was born in Franklin County, N. Y., March 16, 1835. His parents, John and Alecia (Cummings) Reed, were natives of Scotland and Ireland, respectively. The father was brought to America by his father when but seven years of age. The mother, although a native of Ireland, was of English parentage, and came to the United States when she was about fourteen years of age. Her ancestors were people of distinction, owned land and property in England, and were highly educated. Her father, during the Catholic persecution of churches of other denominations, was by the Queen appointed a captain of yeomanry, being a commissioned officer and a man beloved by all for his marked traits of character. Her parents settled in Canada, as did also the parents of Mr. Reed. Mrs. Reed has a brother now living in Canada who is a large lumber dealer, having acquired an immense fortune. G. A. Reed, the subject of this sketch, at the age of tewenty and during the year 1856 went to California, where he remained for six years. He then drifted into Arkansas and from there went to Kansas, from which State he enlisted in Company K, Sixth Kansas Volunteer Cavalry, and served during the entire war. He was in a number of important battles, but was mostly confined to frontier duty, and was never wounded, but had two different horses shot from under him. After the war he married Miss Serenia Frasier, a native of Arkansas, although her parents were from North Carolina. This union resulted in the birth of two children, John F. and Alecia E., both of whom are living. Mr. Reed has lived in this county for nineteen years, but before settling here he went to Iowa, and remained there four years, and here his son was born. They then returned to Missouri, and here they have since lived. Mr. Reed has a fine farm of 120 acres in one body and all under cultivation, and mineral lands, lead having been taken out in paying quantities, and indications of other ores. His first vote was cast for the Democratic cause, as was also his last. He is a Democrat from principle and not from circumstances. Mrs. Reed and daughter are members of the Christian Church.

* * * *

This family biography is one of 272 biographies included in The History of Lawrence County, Missouri published in 1888.  For the complete description, click here: Lawrence County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

To view additional Lawrence County, Missouri family biographies, click here

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.