My Genealogy Hound

Robert Reed, who now resides on Section 6, Union Township, is a comparatively new man in Benton County, and although his residence here has been but a brief one, he has made many friends, and merits the respect and esteem of all who know him. He is a native of Indiana, and was born November 30, 1831. He was but seven years of age when his parents, Joseph and Elizabeth (Milkins) Reed, were laid to their final rest in one grave. He was the youngest of nine children, all now living with the exception of one, and his youthful days were not made any the pleasanter, nor was he any more tenderly cared for by his brothers and sisters, on account of being the youngest child. In fact, he had a pretty hard time of it, and as soon as he became a man he left them and came west. His ancestors were very wealthy, but he and his brothers and sisters, being orphans, were cut out of their share of the estate. He was about nineteen years of age when he began working for himself, and at the age of twenty-two, having saved some money, he was united in marriage to Miss Anna Vanvoorhis, also an orphan, who knew but little of her parents. Her father was supposed to have been killed, and her mother died when she was young. After their marriage, which occurred in 1858, Mr. and Mrs. Reed came to Missouri and settled in Greene County, where his wife died, leaving him four children: Joseph C., now at home; M. Alice, now living in Warsaw; Louella, now in Warsaw, and Henry, at home. Mr. Reed married Mrs. Orange (Patrun) Shirtleff, June 16, 1877. He came to Benton County, Mo., November 18, 1884, and entered 160 acres of land, forty acres of which are under cultivation and fenced in. By his second marriage were born five children, viz.: John, Rosella, Arthur, Melvin and Elsie, all of whom are at home. Mrs. Reed is a church member, and she and her husband are members of the Wheel. Mr. Reed is a Republican in politics.