My Genealogy Hound

W. A. Reed, prosperous and exceedingly popular, takes his place in the corps of Woodruff County’s most eminent business men as one of the oldest merchants of Lone Grove. He is a native of Tennessee, being born in Murfreesburo in 1856. His father, John W. Reed, was of Scotch descent, born about 1831. He was of Virginia origin, but at the time of his death, in 1861, was a prosperous mechanic in Tennessee. In 1854 he was married to Miss Annie E. Alexander, and to them two children were born: W. A. and Ada W. (now deceased). Mrs. Reed was again married in 1863 to J. W. Bruster, of Nashville. Mrs. Bruster was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and died in 1883. W. A. Reed, the subject of this memoir, immigrated from Tennessee to this State in 1871, locating in this county. For the first four years he rented land and farmed, meeting with great success. His next business venture was a clerkship for four years with B. F. Hall, at the end of which time he formed a partnership with Mr. Hall, the firm being known as Hall & Reed. After a few years (about four) Mr. Reed purchased Mr. Hall’s interest, and since then has conducted the business on his own responsibility. His trade is a very good one, his yearly sales amounting to quite a snug sum. In the year of 1879 Mr. Reed was married to Miss Ellen M. Land, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Abram Land, of this county. To this marriage four children have been born: Florence M., Kenneth A., William Logan and Douglass A. (deceased). In secret societies Mr. Reed affiliates with the K. of H., and although a young man is counted among the foremost and is one of the most successful merchants in the village. He advocates and donates liberally to all public enterprises, such as schools, churches, etc., and is respected and esteemed by all. He has a fine residence, and the sociability of himself and wife make his home a favorite place of entertainment in the community.