bio-Reid

“ISAAC M. REID

Among the best citizens of Lotus Creek township is the gentleman above named, who resides on section twelve, township fifty-eight, range twenty-one. Mr. Reid was born in Lewis county, West Virginia, April 17, 1832. At the age of twelve years he removed with his father’s family to Ohio, and lived in Know and Morrow counties in that State until in the fall of 1852, when he removed to Muscatine county, Iowa. Here he lived until 1862, being engaged principally in the business – for it was then a business – of breaking prairie. He broke out and rendered fit for cultivation thousands of acres of Iowa prairie. In August, 1862, Mr. Reid enrolled among the soldiers of the war for the Union as a member of Company D, Thirty-fifth Iowa Infantry, and served with the boys in blue for about twenty-eight months. During his military career he participated in the siege and reduction of Vicksburg, in skirmishes in the rear of that place while its investment was in progress, and at the capture of Jackson, May 14, 1863. In the spring of 1854, the Thirty-fifth Iowa accompanied Gen. A. J. Smith’s expedition into Louisiana to cooperate with General Banks in his famous Red River expedition. While at Henderson’s Hill, Louisiana, the brigade to which Mr. Reid was attached surprised and captured about six hundred Confederate prisoners. In the desperate battle at Pleasant Hill, Louisiana, April 9, 1864, between the Federals under Generals Banks and Smith, and the Confederates under General Dick Taylor, Mr. Reid was severely wounded by a minie ball in his right hip, and his right eye was badly injured by a flying missile of some sort. His comrades carried him from the field, and after much suffering in various hospitals, and enduring many privations, he was at last mustered out of service at Davenport, Iowa, December 20, 1864, by reason of disability occasioned by his wounds, which unfitted him for further duty. He now receives a pension at the rate of ten dollars per month. After the war he visited Missouri, and located in Linn county. In 1879 he settled on his present location. April 29, 1874, Mr. Reid was married to Mrs. Maggie Means (nee Hartsock) relict of Jacob Means. The ceremony was performed at Laclede by Rev. James Reed. Mrs. Reid is a native of Ohio, born June 22, 1840. Her first marriage occurred May 3, 1859. She has two daughters by that union, Mary Eva, and Elva Ara Means, both accomplished and admirable young ladies. Mr. and Mrs. Reid have one child, Harry P., born December 18, 1875, a precocious youngster, and the pet of the household. They also own a fine farm, all under fence, and, except thirty-five acres of good timber, in an excellent state of cultivation. Their home is an excellent and pleasant one. They reside in a comfortable, attractive house, finely located; have two good bearing orchards, and are reasonably well supplied with this world’s goods, which they seem to understand how to wisely enjoy.”