BIO: Lewis W. REED, Beaver County, PA
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BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. This Volume Contains Biographical Sketches
of Leading Citizens of Beaver County, Pennsylvania. Buffalo, N.Y.,
Chicago, Ill.: Biographical Publishing Company, 1899, pp. 83-86
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LEWIS W. REED, the efficient and accommodating postmaster of Beaver, Pa.,
where he is also an active attorney, is one of the most enthusiastic
Democrats in the whole of Beaver county. Ever since arriving at maturity, he
has been particularly zealous in the interests of his favorite party, and has
officiated as chairman of the Democratic committee for several years, having
long been a member of that organization and having served for seven years as
its secretary. Although he never sought office, he has been repeatedly
offered political preferment. Mr. Reed was born in Raccoon township, Beaver
county, Pa., and after attending the public schools of New Sheffield, took an
academic course at Woodlawn Academy. He then became assistant editor of the
"Beaver Star," and while engaged in that capacity, also studied law under the
preceptorship of Hon. J. M. Buchanan. He was admitted to the bar February 4,
1889, and, opening an office in Beaver, he engaged in the practice of his
profession for two years. At the close of that time, he became associated
with J. M. Buchanan and continued to be a law partner of that noted attorney
for five years. On account of failing health, Mr. Reed was obliged to
discontinue his professional duties, having already had several hemorrhages.
Although reluctant to do so, he gave up his practice, intending to make his
home in a warmer climate, but after a few months of exercise in the open air,
his health rapidly improved, and he was able to resume his work. His office is
now located in the Buchanan Block, at rooms 214 and 216.
Mr. Reed is secretary and a stockholder of the Star Publishing Co., a
director of the Farmer's National Bank of Beaver Falls, and has served as
school director of the borough, for three years. He was appointed post-master
of Beaver, February 8, 1896, and immediately appointed Miss Lizzie J. Hepting,
assistant, and Miss Martha H. Morgan as clerk. The office, which is also
located in the Buchanan block, is a handsome one, and is fitted up in the
most modern style. The post-office of Beaver was established as early as
84 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES
1802, and was called Beaver Town, until 1829, since which time it has been
known as Beaver postoffice. The first postmaster was James Alexander, who was
appointed January 1, 1802; he was succeeded by the following: Joseph Hemphill,
July 1, 1803; James Alexander, August 9, 1804; James C. Weiser, January 1,
1816; James Alexander, January 11, 1818; Andrew Logan, April 29, 1832;
Charles Carter, May 28, 1838; James Lyon, June 1, 1841; Miss E. D. Carter,
December 27, 1855; Miss Margaret J. Anderson, July 23, 1861; Mrs. S. J.
McGaffick, November 1, 1866; Miss May McGaffick, January 23, 1867; Mrs.
Sophia C. Hayes, February 12, 1868; Miss May McGaffick, February 15, 1869;
Miss N. B. Imbrie, March 19, 1875; Miss Mary E. Imbrie, January 29, 1883;
Daniel M. Donehoo, March 17, 1887; A. G. White, December 23, 1891; and Lewis
W. Reed, February 8, 1896.
Lewis W. Reed was united in marriage with Lizzie Hall, a daughter of
William B. Hall, a prominent farmer of Raccoon township. William B. Hall was
a descendant of Robert Hall, of English and Scotch descent. Robert Hall was
born in Lancaster county, Pa., and went to Beaver county, where he purchased
four hundred acres of land, and engaged in agricultural pursuits. His last
days, however, were spent in Freedom. The worthy subject of this sketch and
his amiable wife find it a pleasant duty to rear and educate their family,
which consists of one son and two daughters, as follows: Lewis G., born
January 10, 1883; Vera, born November 26, 1887; and Helen, born June 29, 1891.
Mr. Reed built a fine modern residence, in 1890, on Beaver street, his
present handsome home. In 1892, he also built a residence for his beloved
mother on Laura street, and in addition to these, he owns two attractive
tenement houses. He has always taken a lively interest in the development and
progress of Beaver, and, like his forefathers, is an active member of the
Presbyterian church. Mr. Reed is also a valued member of the Masonic
fraternity.
Thomas Reed, great-grandfather of the subject of this record, was a native
of Scotland, whence he came to America, settling near Baltimore, Maryland. He
left two sons, one whose name was James and another whose name has not been
preserved. James Reed, grandfather of Lewis W., was born near Baltimore, Md.,
and in early manhood went to Beaver county, settling first in Raccoon
township, where he purchased a farm, in 1837. This farm is, today, owned by
his son, John Reed. Upon this farm, James Reed pursued the calling of an
agriculturist until cut off by death at the age of sixty-seven years. He was
joined in marriage with Agnes Baker, a daughter of Michael Baker. Mrs. Reed
lived to attain the age of sixty-nine years, and with her husband, belonged
to the Old School Presbyterian denomination. James Reed was known as a very
progressive farmer, and the old homestead, built by him in 1837, is still
standing as a monument to his thrift and economy. To him and his beloved
companion were born the following children:
BEAVER COUNTY 85
Harriet, wife of Daniel Baker; Jane, wife of Cornelius Weigrandt;
Washington B., (father of Lewis W.), who will be mentioned later; John, who
wedded Ruth Allen; Rosanna, wife of Robert Potter; Elizabeth, wife of Dr.
John Bryan; and Jesse, who wedded Martha Kennedy.
Washington Baker Reed, father of the subject of this biography, was born on
the old homestead, January 14, 1820. He received a good scholastic training,
for those days, and -began life as a farmer. Upon the death of his father in
1868, he bought out the other heirs of the homestead of two hundred acres.
Later, he sold fifty acres, and had one hundred acres under a state of high
cultivation. He was a public-spirited man and a stanch Democrat, -serving in
many township offices. He was a trustee of the Presbyterian church, and was
highly esteemed by all who knew him. He died July 20, 1890, aged sixty-five
years. He led Eliza Kerr to the altar, in 1851, and she bore him the
following children: Lizzie, wife of Sheridan Knowles, of Beaver; John A., who
married Mary Deming, of Beaver; Lewis W., the subject of these lines;
Cornelius W., who was united in marriage with Ella Shoemaker, and resided at
McKeesport; Sampson K., who wedded Sarah Baker, of Beaver; Harriet, wife of
David G. Hood, of McKeesport; and Agnes, wife of Hugh Orr, of Beaver.
Sampson Kerr, the maternal grandfather of Lewis W., was born in Raccoon
township, and was a son of John Kerr, a surveyor by trade, who was granted a
tract of land containing four hundred and four and two-thirds
acres, -obtaining a patent for the same. This tract bordered along the Ohio
River in Raccoon township, Beaver county, Pa., and upon it John Kerr settled
prior to the year 1800. He built a house, where George Fox now lives, and
here his two sons were born. Their names were, -Sampson and James. In 1836,
the homestead, containing two hundred and ninety-eight acres, was deeded to
Sampson. John Kerr, was one of the founders and elders of the Presbyterian
church, which stood at the same place where Bethlehem Church is now located.
He was a justice of the peace for many years, the office at that time being a
much more important one than at the present day. After filling this station in
a most acceptable and capable manner, he passed to his final rest at about the
age of eighty years. Sampson Kerr was looked upon as a well-to-do man, of his
day. After selling the homestead, he went to Beaver, and conducted a hotel on
Third street for many years, where the Wade building now is. Later he kept the
Keystone hotel of Pittsburg. After retiring, he died in Allegheny City at the
age of seventy-seven years. He was twice married. His first wife was Agnes
Reed, a daughter of John Reed, who was a settler adjacent to the Kerrs, where
he owned four hundred acres of the finest land bordering on the Ohio River.
Their home was built on the rear end of the Samuel Clear farm. Mrs. Kerr died
in 1842, at the age of thirty-four years, leaving one daughter, Eliza, the
mother of Lewis W., who was then twelve years old. Her father
86 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES
was married again, his second wife being Maria Blackburn. Of this union were
born the following seven children: Morris, Harriet, Frank, James, Albert,
Josephine, and William.
Sampson Kerr led an exemplary life, and was a leading figure in many
avenues of business, where his cheery presence is now missed. He belonged to
the Old School Presbyterian denomination, and was a devout Christian man.
The publishers of this work take pleasure in announcing that a portrait of
Mr. Reed accompanies this sketch, being presented on a preceding page.