taken from the Montgomery County History 1903
Joel. W. Reed - a prominent contractor and builder, of Elk City, Kansas was born in Shelby county, Indiana, June 6, 1849. His parents were John O. and Missouri (Gregory) Reed; the former being a native of Ohio, and the latter of Kentucky. The father was a carpenter and builder, and moved to Indiana, in 1840, and was a pioneer of the locality where he lived. Many and large buildings are standing today, monuments to his skill as a workman. He had the honor of serving his country, as a soldier in two wars; first, in the Mexican war, where he served as first lieutenant until his discharge at its close, and second, in the Civil war, in which he enlisted August 2, 1862, as a private, in the Ninety eighth Illinois regiment, Company K and, in a battle which occurred shortly after, at Elizabethtown, Kentucky, was severely wounded. He was removed to a hospital, at New Albany, Indiana, where he died, on the 18th of October. Mr. Reed was a man of splendid qualities, a lifelong and devout member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he was an officer for many years. His age, at death, was forty six years, and his wife, the mother of Joel W., died at Twenty Six, on the 18th of September, 1856.
By a former marriage to Elizabeth Rouse, Mr. Reed had three children, viz: Mahala, deceased wife of Patrick Keenan; Ann Eliza, Mrs. John Smith, of Los Angeles, California; and Melissa, who died in infancy
Our subject was one of four children born to the second marriage of his father, viz Joel W.; Jacob L., a minister of the Kentucky Conference of the M. E. church; Martha E., who married Abram Lewis and is now deceased; and John B., who resides near the old homestead in Indiana. After the death of the mother of these children, Mr. Reed married Anna McDuffey, whose two sons were James B. and Charles S. W.
In the common schools of his native county, Joel W. Reed secured sufficient education to equip him for a useful life, though it was difficult to hold him to his school work. To him it seemed cruel to have to study history while it was being made so rapidly on the battlefield. He yearned to be at the front and ran away twice, in his efforts to get into the army. Finally, on the 6th of March, 1865, being then fifteen years and nine months old, and according to authentic records, the third youngest soldier to enlist in the war, he became a private of Company K Thirty Third Indiana Volunteer infantry. He was too late, however, to see any active service. Joining Sherman's army at Newburn, North Caroline, he was a witness of the surrender of Gen. Johnson; and after participating in the Grand Review at Washing, received his discharge at Louisville, Kentucky July 21,1965After the war, Mr. Reed worked on the farm until 1868, when he came out to Illinois, on a visit to a sister, who lived at Louisville. Here during the next two years, he learned the baker's trade and in 1871 came to Kansas. He worked at Wichita for several months and then came to Elk City. IN August of 1872, he became connected with the "Katy" railroad, as cook, and followed that business, at different points, until 1874. Returning to Elk City, he farmed for some six years and then took up the business in which he is now engaged. He has long been the leading contractor and builder of the town of the town and specimens of his handiwork are seen on every side. He has put up nearly every building of importance in the city, erected within the past two decades.
Mr. Reed has always been exceedingly active in the social life of the community. He is a member of the Blue Lodge and Chapter, and is a Scottish Rite Mason. The Woodmen number him among their most valued members, and he is a Good Templar, a member of the Eastern Star, of the Carpenter's Union and is officer of the day in the G.A.R.
The wife of Mr. Reed was prior to her marriage, in 1878 Miss Mattie Monfort. She is a native of Indiana, the daughter of John Monfort, and was born March 1, 1862. To her have been born; Lela, deceased in Infancy; Stelia L, deceased at three years; Orion O., a farmer in the Indiana Territory; Sheldon M., a schoolboy; and New Floyd. Mrs. Reed is quite as helpful, in social and religious circles, as her husband, being a member and treasurer of the Seventh Day Adventist church, while Mr. Reed is a member of the Friend's church
In all the varied activities of life. Mr. Reed has been true to his best conception of right and has a good citizen's pride in supporting every measure which makes for the good of his fellowmen. Elk City has no more loyal citizen, and the esteem in which he is held is uniform.
Elk City Sun dated September 3,1920
Joel W. Reed of this city was again chosen as director of the Old Soldiers' Southeast Kansas Reunion Assn., which closed it's annual reunion at Cherryvale last Friday. Mr. Reed has been attending the reunion regularly for years and takes a keen interest in it's affairs. Up to Thursday night this year there were 229 old soldiers registered as compared to 350 a year ago, which is evidence of the rapidly thinning ranks of the boys of 1861-65.
Taken from Elk City Sun March 23, 1923
The sad news of the death of Joel W. Reed, who passed away on March 14th, had scarcely become known until the death angel again visited the Reed home, taking away his companion on Saturday morning. Death was due to grief and nervous shock. The death of this estimable couple has brought grief to every home in this city and community, for a half century of residence here had endeared them to one and all. During those years they had been connected with the religious and public life of the community in such a way that they were known to practically everyone. Mrs. Reed was loved by her neighbors and thru out the community for she was looked upon as an angel of mercy in the homes where she had ministered to the sick and suffering. Mr. and Mrs. Reed were kind and loving parents, always thoughtful of others' needs and in their death the children and relatives have sustained an irreparable loss. The town and community will miss their assistance in all things for the betterment of mankind. The Sun joins with the entire community in extending sympathy to the bereaved ones.
Funeral services for Mr. and Mrs. Reed were held Wednesday at 2 p.m. at the Christian Church in charge of Rev. B. W. Brown, an Adventist minister of Pueblo, Colo., who was a life long friend of the deceased couple. The church was filled to its capacity by sorrowing relatives and friends who came to pay a last tribute of respect to those whom they loved. The songs by a double quartet were especially fitting and Rev. Brown spoke words of comfort to the bereaved ones. At the close of the service the impressive ritual services of the G.A.R were given by the comrades of Mr. Reed. The floral offerings were many and very beautiful. At Oak Hill cemetery where interment was made in a double grave, the Masonic burial service was given by Carson Lodge, of which Mr. Reed had been a member for nearly fifty years. Members of the Masonic order served as active and honorary pallbearers for Mr. Reed and six ladies, dressed entirely in white, served as pallbearers for Mrs. Reed.
Joel W. Reed was born in Shelby County, Indiana, June 6, 1849 and died March 14, 1923, aged 73 years, 9 months, 8 days. He was brought up in the influence of Godly parents. At the age of 7 years his mother died and his father died 6 years later, while in the army fighting for this country. Mr. Reed then lived with his grandparents until March 6, 1865, when he joined the U. S. Army and was assigned to the 33rd Indiana regiment. He was mustered out of service at Louisville, Ky. July 21, 1865. Mr. Reed had been a Master Mason for nearly 53 years and was also a member of Wichita Consistory, Scottish Rite Masons. He was held in high esteem by the members of that order. He had been a member of the M.W.A. for many years and was an active member of the G.A.R., being director of the Southeast Kansas Old Soldiers Reunion Assn. at the time of his death. He also served several terms as a city councilman.
Mattie Monfort was born in Shelby county, Ind. March 1, 1862 and died March 17, 1923 aged 61 years, 16 days. Mr. and Mrs. Reed were playmates in their childhood days while in Indiana and after coming to Kansas in 1871, they both made their home with Wm. Gregory. In August 1878 they were united in marriage. To this union were born five children; 2 girls who died in infancy, and 3 boys, Orian of Roseville, Calif, Sheldon of Yellow Jacket, Colo., and Floyd of Los Angeles Calif.
Mr. and Mrs. Reed were converted in their early youth; he uniting with the United Brethren and she with the South Methodist churches. In later years they both accepted the Seventh Day Adventist faith and were firm believers in the soon coming of Christ. Mrs. Reed was a member of the Order of Eastern Star for many years..
In addition to the three sons, Mr. Reed is survived by two brothers. Mrs. Reed is also survived by her father, three sisters and two brothers.
Out of town relatives here to attend the funeral were: Orian Reed and wife of Roseville, Calif. Sheldon Reed of Yellow Jacket, Colo., Floyd Reed of Los Angeles, Calif., J. W. Monfort of Alva, Okla., Mrs. Leah Rousseau and Miss Jennie Monfort of Alamagordo, N. M., Mrs. J. L. rice of South Haven, Kans., R. L. Gregory and wife of Wayside, Kans., A. Lewis and wife of Morrillton, Ark.