George W. Reed

George W. Reed was born in Indiana, in March, 1824. He is the son of Charles and Chloe (Roby) Reed, both natives of this country, who were married in Virginia. Charles was the son of Patrick Reed, who was a native of Ireland. When the War of 1812 broke out, Charles enlisted and served through the whole campaign. After the war he engaged in farming and stock growing in Ohio and Indiana, until 1830, when he removed to Illinois and settled at what is. known as "Reed's Grove," in Will county, taking up a claim of 160 acres on what is now Joliet. He built the first house ever built in that city, and erected the first house at the Grove, in 1832. When the Black Hawk war broke out he removed his family to Park county, Indiana. After the Indian troubles he returned to his claim and engaged in farming. He built a flouring mill in Joliet in the year 1834, and was, in fact, the man who laid out and started the town where he made the claim, and intended to purchase the same when it came into market, but lost it through the act of a so- called friend. Charles Reed built the log fort at Reed's Grove for a protection against the Indians, and when he had it ready to raise the prominent men of Chicago came out to assist in the work. While he lived in Will county he took a prominent part in politics. Being a strong anti-slavery man, he was honored with state and county offices. In the course of time he removed to Winnebago county, and laid out the town of Winnebago, and remained in that county until his death, which occurred about 1861. George W. Reed spent his younger years in and near Joliet; attended school in the old fort there. When the Mexican war broke out, a company was formed at Joliet, of which he was a member, but their services were not accepted. He was married in 1819 to Mary Strader, daughter of John and Mary (Longmire) Strader, by whom he had two children. After his marriage he removed to Mercer county, Ill., and purchased 160 acres of land, built a house and improved his farm. His wife, who was afflicted with consumption, becoming worse, requested that she be taken back to her home in Indiana. Two years after his arrival in Mercer county he returned with his sick wife to her home, where she died the day after her arrival. After her death he sold his interests in Mercer county, removed to Stark county in 1853, located in Osceola township, and was engaged in farming until 1880, when he engaged in the mercantile business at Bradford. In 1857 he married Miss Phila Webster, who died in 1862, and in 1865 his marriage with Mrs. Jane (Montooth) Hunter took place.