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Thomas D. Reeder

The agricultural and stock raising interests of Fayette county have no better representative than Thomas D. Reeder, who, like many of his worthy neighbors and fellow citizens, is a native of the old Keystone state, having been born in Pennsylvania, January 8, 1847, but most of his life has been spent in Iowa, his mother having brought him to Fayette county when he was seven years of age. He is the son of Robert and Dorcas (Kilgore) Reeder, both natives of Pennsylvania, the father working in a foundry there many years. In 1854 the family joined the tide of emigration setting in for the Middle West and came to Fayette county, Iowa, and settled in West Union. While living here, Mrs. Dorcas Reeder married a second time, her last husband being Steve Reeves, which union resulted in the birth of three sons.

Thomas D. Reeder was educated in the common schools of West Union and remained under the home roof until he enlisted in the Union army in 1862, becoming a member of Company C, Sixth Iowa Cavalry. He saw some hard service in the West, under Capt. L. L. Ainsworth, serving with credit and marked devotion to duty until in October, 1865. Although he was but fifteen years of age when he enlisted, he proved to be just as gallant and brave a defender of the flag as the matured men of his regiment, his conduct at the battles of Whitestone Hill and Tahkahokutu being especially commendable. After his career in the army he returned home and began farming for his step-father, later buying a farm of three hundred acres in Union township on which he placed all the important improvements, being an excellent manager and a persistent worker, until his farm today ranks with the best in the township in every respect.

He has very successfully carried on general farming and stockraising, handling large numbers of

Durham cattle, having long been a well known breeder of this special line; he also raises Poland China hogs. He has an attractive and nicely furnished home and many substantial outbuildings.

However, Mr. Reeder is now living practically retired, merely overseeing his extensive interests, having moved form his farm to West Union in 1905 where he has a pleasant home.

Mr. Reeder was married on September 13, 1876, to Isabella Montgomery, who was born in Delaware county, Iowa, daughter of Archie and Elnaor (Kilgore) Montgomery, a well known and highly respected family of that county, where Mrs. Reeder was reared and educated. This union has resulted in the birth of the following children: Robert D., John J., Christabel May, Thomas R. (deceased), Alta Valora. They are all living and have been given every attention possible as to their education and culture.

Mr. and Mrs. Reeder are members of the Universalist church, and, politically, Mr. Reeder is a Democrat, and while h has not had time to devote any special attention to political affairs he has always been ready to assist in furthering the general good of his county, and he has held very satisfactorily such offices as township trustee and all school offices, and he has been road supervisor many times. Fraternally, he has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for a period of thirty-six years.

Personally, Mr. Reeder is a pleasant man to know, genial and hospitable, and he has lived such a life of honor and integrity that he has won and retained the confidence and respect of the people of Fayette county.


~transcribed for the Fayette Co IAGenWeb Project by Tom & Sharon Dorland