HON. WILLIAM
REED, attorney at law, of Millersburgh, Ohio, is one of the
most widely known attorneys of Holmes County, and comparatively few
men placed under the same circumstances have attained to similar
prominence and reputation. Although not gifted with flowing
eloquence, few men in the profession excel Judge Reed in
ability, clearness of expression, profoundness of thought and
judgment, and in his acquaintance with Blackstone. He was born
in Columbiana County, Ohio, in 1823. His father, William
Reed, was a native of Adams county, Penn., and a son of
William Reed, who was of Scotch descent, and was a farmer in
Adams County, but who, when his son William was twelve years
old, moved to Washington County, same State. He was a soldier
in the War of 1812. The father of Judge Reed was reared
in Adams and Washington Counties, and was given good educational
advantages, attending Jefferson College one year, and then entering
Washington College, from which he graduated in 1815. Choosing,
soon after, the ministry of his life work, he began the study of
theology, and in due time was ordained to the ministry of the
Presbyterian Church. He had two charges for many years, but
about 1850 he resigned one, continuing in the other until a few
years prior to his death. He died in October, 1867, aged
eighty-two years, having served in the ministry nearly fifty years.
He married Maria Cooke of Washington, Penn., daughter of
David Cooke, a prominent merchant of the town of Washington, and
a trustee of Washington College. To this union seven children
were born, six of whom are living. D. C., a minister of
the Presbyterian church, now of New Castle, Penn.; William,
the subject of our sketch; Margretta; Samuel, a farmer
residing on the old homestead; Maria now Mrs. Wolgamot,
and Dorcas. The third son, James H., died while
a student at the Theological Seminary at Allegheny City, Penn.
Judge William Reed spent his early
life in Columbiana County, Ohio, receiving his rudimentary education
in the public schools. HE later entered Washington College,
from which he graduated in the class of 1845. He at once
entered upon the practice of his profession, his able instructor
being C. L. Vallandigham whose reputation is so widely known.
He was admitted to the bar in 1847, and at once began the practice
of his profession in the town of Millersburgh, where he has since
lived, and, with the exception of ten years, when he was Judge of
the Third Sub-division of the Sixth Judicial District of Ohio, he
has been in active practice. He was elected to this position
by the Democratic party, of which he is a stanch supporter, and
served with marked ability, his decisions always being the result of
thoughtful consideration and bearing the imprint of profound
judgment. From 1855 till 1859 he was prosecuting attorney of
Holmes County, in which capacity he served to the entire
satisfaction of the citizens of that county. Judge Reed
has attained a prominence second to none in Holmes County, and is
respected by all who know him for his purity of thought and
honorable dealings, no one, not excepting those who differ with him
in political judgment having aught but praise for his integrity and
uprightness.
Judge Reed was married in 1854 to Maria D.,
a daughter of S. S. Henry,of Millersburgh, Ohio, and they
have two children: William C., and Jennie M.,
now Mrs. Doak of Indiana. The Judge and his wife are
members of the Presbyterian Church; he is a member of the Masonic
fraternity. |
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