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Kinyon Digital Library

History of Adair
County, Iowa, 1915.

Biographical.  Volume 2.

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A. K. Reed.

A. K. Reed is president of the Orient Savings Bank and for a long period was actively identified with agricultural interests in Iowa.  In his farming operations he laid the foundation of his success and he is still the owner of five hundred and eighty acres of valuable farm land.  He was born in Dubuque county, Iowa, May 5, 1853, and is a son of Andrew and Letitia (Henry) Reed, both of whom were natives of Ireland but were born of Scotch parentage.  They were reared and married on the green isle of Erin and about 1840 came to the United States, establishing their home in Pennsylvania, where they lived until 1851, when they came west to Iowa, settling in Dubuque county.  Later they removed to a farm across the line in Jones county, Mr. Reed entering the land from the government on a land warrant.  With characteristic energy he began the development of that property.  About 1874 he came to Adair county, taking up his abode on section 22, Orient township, purchasing the east half of the section.  Four years afterward he went to Kansas and became the original pioneer settler of Thomas, continuing his residence there until he was called to his final rest in 1891, when he had reached the age of eighty years.

The educational advantages afforded by the district schools of Iowa were those which A. K. Reed enjoyed during his boyhood and youth.  His opportunities were somewhat limited save in those offered on the farm.  He remained at home and assisted his father until 1879, at which time he was married, and began farming for himself, renting land in Orient township, this county.  He saved his earnings and in 1881 purchased a farm of eighty acres on section 13, that township.  The following year he removed on to that place and there lived for about four years, or until 1886, when he became a resident of Thomas county, Kansas, where he preempted one hundred and sixty acres of land.  After two and a half years residence there he returned to Adair county, where he has since made his home and in the interim he has purchased other land from time to time until he now owns five hundred and eighty acres, all of which lies in Orient township, save eighty acres in Union township.  His farm property is valuable and gives evidence of his care and supervision.  Year after year Mr. Reed carefully developed his place, utilizing the latest improved machinery and carrying on the farm work according to the most modern methods.  In December, 1913, he removed to Orient, where he now lives, although he still gives personal supervision to the management of his farm lands.  He is president of the Orient Savings Bank and bends his efforts to administrative direction and executive control.  In all his business career he has been classed with the wide-awake, alert and enterprising men who form their plans readily and carry them forward to successful completion.  His business activity has been characterized by the strictest honor and his success is the merited reward of his efforts.

In 1879 Mr. Reed was married to Miss Ella Mock, of Orient township, a daughter of Robert Mock, who in 1877 removed to Adair county from Clarke county, Iowa.  To Mr. and Mrs. Reed have been born ten children, of whom nine survive:  Ida, the wife of Jud Walker, of Union township;  Maggie, the wife of Dr. I. J. Gibson, of Fontanelle, Iowa;  Edna, the wife of Frank King, of Colorado Springs, Colorado;  Bert C. and Ira A., both farming in Union township, Adair county;  Mabel, the wife of Theodore Hayden, of Union township;  and Wilbur F., Harley K. and Donald R., all of whom are operating the home farm.

In his life Mr. Reed manifests the beneficent spirit of the Masonic fraternity, which is based upon a recognition of the brotherhood of mankind.  He has membership in Cypress Lodge, No. 539, A. F. & A. M.  In politics he is a republican and he served for several years as township trustee.  He has also been a member of the school board and he is interested in many plans which feature as factors in promoting good government and in advancing the welfare and upbuilding of the district.  Men have found him thoroughly trustworthy in his business connections, as well as active and enterprising and among his fellow townsmen he is held in highest regard, his worth being attested by all who know him.

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