W. D. Reed, the assessor of Bowdre town-ship, was born on the old Reed homestead in the same Township March 14, 1852, and is a son of the gallant B. Frank Reed, who fell at the battle of Chickamauga, and for whom the G. A. R. Post at Tuscola is named, and whose portrait adorns this page. He was born in Bourbon County, Kentucky, and emigrated with his father, Daniel, to Edgar County, when he was but eight years old.
Daniel Reed founded the old tavern or road house at Hickory Grove between Newman and Indianola. He volunteered in the Civil war and became captain of Company D, First Illinois Regiment. He was united in marriage to Catherine, a daughter of William Barnett, who lived in Camargo and was one of the early settlers.
W. D. Reed has been assessor of Bowdre Township continuously for five years. He was married in 1874 to Ida L., a daughter of J. H. Bagley. They have had five children, of
whom Ward, Clark, Fred and Mary are living, and Maud is dead. Mr. Reed is a stanch Democrat in politics, as was also his father, Captain Reed.