REED-Will B. - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

Of the younger element of our prominent, energetic and influential citizens, none are better known than Will B. Reed, one of the distinguished attorneys of Fountain County. During the years he has practiced his profession here, he has shown himself to be endowed with superior ability, and his comprehensive knowledge of the law, together with the soundness of his judgment, secured him almost immediate recognition at the Bar. From that time to the present he has so identified himself with the affairs of the place, that its history can not be recorded without according him a conspicuous and honroable part. Mr. Reed was born in Delphi, Indiana March 1, 1856 and his father, Joseph C. Reed, DD was a native of Ohio. His mother Emma Boothroyd Reed ws a native of England and they were married in the state of Indiana. Rev. Joseph C. Reed was twice a representative to the general conference and prepared a history fo the Northwestern Indiana Conference mainly biographical of the men with whom he was associated. It was left in writing and has never been published. He was a natural poet and a born orator with enlarged views and he often delivered his whole sermon in rhyme. His entire life was passed in ministering to the spiritual wants of his fellowmen in Indiana. The degree of DD was confered upon him by Asbury University about ten years before his demise. He was Secretary of the NW Indiana Conference for 25 years and presiding Elder for 8 after the war and again a few years later. He had a pastorate at Attica in 1878 and lived in that city 2 years. His widow is now a resident of that place. This good and noble man passed away in Oct 1889 after a life spent in doing good deeds. The early education of our subjet was received in the high schools of Lafayette and later he began reading law with Isaac E. Shoonover, being admitted to the Ba rin 1881. After this he was connected with Mr. Schoonover for about 5 years but was in his office for about 3 years prior to that and since 1886 he has practiced his profession alone. In the sam eyear he was elected Prosecuting Attorney for the 21st Judicial District by the Republican Party, and in 1888 he was reelected without opposition. In 1886 his opponent was Daniel W. Sines, and our subject was elected with 1100 majority when the ordinary majority was about 600. He is at present city attorney and is an earnest advocate of the principles of the Republican party. He has been a delegate to State and Congressional conventions and is one of the leading young men of the county. Mr. Reed is Sec of the Attica Building & Loan Association was one of its originators in 1883, and has alwyas been its secretary and attorney. Socially, he is a Royal Arch mason and 32nd Degree Mason. He is also a member of the kNights of Pythias, being Master Exchequer and Past Chancellor. He is a member of the Grand Lodge and 1st representative of the same. On 3 April 1884 our subject ws united in marriage to Miss Carrie L. HAY, of Attica, daughter of Dr. DK Hay, formerly a prominent physicial of Attica. Mrs. Reed ws born in that city on 20 April 1857. The union has been blessed by the birth of one child, a girl of six named Nayne. Mrs. Reed is worthy and consistent member of the Methodist Church and a lady of taste and judgement. In Mr. Reed the community has a faithful and unswerving friend, ever alert to serve her best interests and generous in his contributions toward every movement tending to the general advancement. He is an accomplished and polished gentleman, both by instinct and training, and possesses generous, true-hearted and hospitable instincts.