JOHN REED, a prosperous agriculturist of Hopewell township, is a grandson of James Reed, the latter of whom was a carpenter, and built the first courthouse in Washington borough. James Reed was born in Scotland, and was married to Sina Parker, who bore him seven children, the sons being named as follows: John, James, Samuel and Parker. Samuel Reed was reared and educated in Hopewell township, this county, and was afterward united in marriage with Mary Ann Vincent, daughter of Alexander Vincent. The following children were born to this union: James (living in Missouri), Alexander, Sina Ann (deceased), Jane, Mary, Nancy, John and Catherine. Of this family, James was married to Lydia B. McWilliams, of Westmoreland county, Penn., who died leaving four children: Harry, Cally, Samuel and Dell; their father is pastor of a Presbyterian Church in Missouri; Alexander was first married to Jane Ann White, of Washington county, who bore him children as follows: White, Samuel, Nettie and Annie (the mother died, and Alexander was then married to Mary White, of West Virginia); Catherine is the widow of R. E. Merchant, and has three sons: Frankie, Orr and Eddie (she is living with her brother John); Mrs. Samuel Reed died February 22, 1881, followed by her husband April 5, 1887. He always followed farming, and in politics was a Democrat. He and his wife were members of the Upper Buffalo Presbyterian Church, in which he served as trustee. John Reed, son of Samuel Reed, was born November 13, 1846, and was about three years of age when his father purchased the farm now occupied by S. P. Wilson. John Reed attended the common schools, afterward becoming a student of the academy, which he attended one session; he then devoted his whole attention to farming. On October 3, 1877, he was married to Amanda Merchant, a native of Ohio, who bore him two children: Sina Mabel and Mary Ella (deceased). Mrs. Reed was called to her last home August 8, 1881. Mr. Reed was a member of the Upper Buffalo Presbyterian Chuch.

Text taken from page 1303 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed January 1997 by Jean Suplick Matuson of Plano, TX as part of the Beers Project. Published January 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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