John W. Reed was born in Circleville, Ohio, Jan. 4, 1847; died Jan. 26, 1927, age 80 years and 22 days.

He moved to Iowa with his parents at the age of four years, where he grew to manhood. He was united in marriage to Mary A. Land on March 15, 1882. Five children were born to this union, one dying in infancy. He leaves to mourn his death a devoted wife and his only brother, Nathan; three daughters, Mrs. Bertha Elander, of Lincoln, Mrs. Euda Kestler of Paxton, Neb., Mrs. Vernal Peterson of Bertrand; one son Walden I. Reed of Des Moines, Iowa. All were at his bedside when death came. There are also ten grand children and two great grand children.

They moved to Nebraska in the year of 1886, settling on a homestead in Frontier county, having the usual experiences of the early settlers of the day, such as living in a dugout and breaking the soil with the oxen and living on the plainest of rations of every day life as men of his day had to endure.

After residing on his homestead for thirty-two years, in 1918 they decided to retire from active farm life, on account of failing health, and spend the remainder of life in the quietude of Bertrand at which place he passed away.

As to his religious beliefs, he was baptised in the United Brethern church at Stockville, Nebr., in 1892 and remained an active member of the same until the organization ceased at which time he transferred his membership to the Methodist Episcopal church of the same community.

A singular incident is related in the life of Mr. Reed as told to the children, relative to the selection of his loving wife, that he had the privilege as well as the pleasure of rocking Mrs. Reed in the old fashioned cradle in her babyhood days—having known each other during their childhood days.

Without a doubt, Mr. Reed was as near an ideal husband and father as anyone could possibly hope for. He was always a great lover of his home and devoted to the interests of every member of the family, and was held in high esteem by all who knew him as a man of virtue and honesty.

The funeral services were conducted from the Methodist church in Bertrand on Friday at 2 p.m., Jan. 20th. The local pastor, Rev. Ahrendts officiated. The Scripture lesson was found in the touching story narrated by Luke 24: “Abide with Me.” The songs “Nearer My God to Thee,” “Shall we Gather at the River?” and “Abide with Me” were sung.

The body was laid to rest in the Highland cemetery under the direction of morticians, Sandstrom & Son.

The Farnam Echo, 40(14):3 Thursday, Febr. 10, 1927