My Genealogy Hound

John W. Reed, farmer and stock raiser, was born in Breckinridge County, Ky., near Louisville, April 5, 1831, and is a son of Peter and Nancy (Gray) Reed. This family of Reeds is of German descent. The father was born in Hardin County, Ky., in 1799, and died in Scotland County, Mo., in 1853, about eighteen months subsequent to his removal from Kentucky. He learned the blacksmith’s trade when a young man, serving an apprenticeship of four years, and, although he was poor when he began life for himself, proved to be a successful farmer and blacksmith. His father, Jacob, was in the Revolutionary War during the last five years of the same, and fought in a number of battles. He died in Edgar County, Ill., in 1860, at an advanced age. The Gray family is of Irish and Dutch descent. The mother was born in Hardin County, in 1809, and died in Scotland County, Mo., February 14, 1885. Both herself and husband were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and to them eight children were born, of whom John W. is the fourth. Six of the children still survive. John W. received a common-school education in Breckinridge County, during his youth, which he has since greatly improved by reading and business experience. When twenty-one years old he accompanied his parents to Missouri, with whom he made his home. After the death of his father he continued to live with and care for his mother, and provide for and educate the younger children. March 20, 1862, he married Melvina Cox, daughter of Joshua Cox, and a native of Scotland County, Mo., where she was born, November 11, 1844. Eight children born to this marriage are now living: Florentine, Adelaide, Robert P., Peter, Nancy M., William W., Ina M. and Grace. After his marriage Mr. Reed moved to Illinois, where he lived until 1865, then returned to Scotland County, and purchased the farm where he now lives. By industry and economy, and the assistance of his good wife, Mr. Reed is the owner of a nice farm, and is considered one of the well-to-do farmer citizens of the county.