Biographies - Elmira Township

John F. Reed, born at Reed's Grove, Will county, Ill., September 7, 1851, is the son of George W. and Mary (Straeder) Reed, both natives of Indiana, as related in the chapter on Osceola township.

Mr. Reed passed his boyhood days in assisting his father in farm work, or attending the school of the district. At the age of nineteen years he attended the graded schools at Toulon and subsequently studied in the Bradford schools. Adopting the profession of teacher, he would preside over a school for one term, and the next attend school at the Wesleyan University, Bloomington. He also studied in the Illinois Industrial University, at Champaign. Since completing his education he has been engaged in teaching school, and is now in the thirteenth year of his professional work.

On June 19,1878, he married Miss Frances I. Searl, daughter of I. W. and Charlotte (Furness) Searl, natives of Pennsylvania. To them three children were born, namely: Mary E., Ralph L. and George H. Reed.

Mr. Reed has always been Republican in politics, and, it is said, wields the pen for the good of his party, whenever the thought of doing so occurs to him.

He is an excellent teacher and is now filling his fourth engagement in the schools of District No. 3 or Elmira village.

While Mr. Reed is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, his wife is a member of the Baptist Church, and in these societies they exert their influence for good. (Vide, also, history of Osceola township.)