Grundy County IL Archives Obituaries.....Reading, James Newel June 1884
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Morris Herald, June 1884
Morris Herald
June 1884

James Newel Reading

On last Sunday afternoon at 5 o'clock the spirit of James N. Reading took its 
flight, and the mantle of mourning was cast over our city, leaving us to 
lament the departure to that unknown country of one of God's noblemen, a man 
characterized by his benevolence, his courtesy, his sociability, his 
integrity, his honesty of purpose in all undertakings. Probably no man has 
laid down his life work and gone from us who was more endeared to the great 
masses of the people, high and low, rich and poor, than James N. Reading.

For several years Mr. Reading has been in poor health and some four years ago 
was so low that his life was despaired of, but by careful nursing and the 
skill of the most eminent physicians his health was partially restored. And 
with the extraordinary good care he took of himself he was comparatively free 
from trouble until the fore part of last week when his old disease came upon 
him with renewed force, and did not abate until death claimed him as a victim.

James N. Reading was born in Hunderton county, New Jersey, August 8th, 1808. 
He was prepared for college at the Princeton Academy, then entered Nassau Hall 
in 1827, and graduated in 1829, taking the fifth honor in a class of twenty-
six. He studied law with Samuel L. Southard in Trenton, and was admitted to 
the bar in 1832.

From 1832 to 1850 he practiced law in Flemington, N. J., fifteen of which 
years he was prosecuting attorney for Hunterdon county. During his residence 
in Hunterdon county he took considerate interest and an active part in 
military affairs, rising to the position of Colonel of the Third regiment of 
the Hunterdon Brigade, which position he held until his removal to Jefferson 
county, Mo., in 1850, at which place for two years he was president of a lead 
mining company. In the fall of 1853 Mr. Reading, with his family, moved to 
Morris, where he has since resided with the exception of the years 1859-1861, 
when he resided in Chicago and practiced law in copartnership with Judge 
Wallace. In 1856 he was elected to the Legislature of this State where he 
served one term. He also filled the unexpired term of Wm. Galloway as circuit 
clerk of Grundy county. During the war he was Deputy United States Marshal, 
and also United States Commissioner. In 1865 Mr. Reading was elected Judge of 
the county court which position he held for three successive terms - twelve 
years - refusing a re-election.

In February, 1835 Mr. Reading was married to Sarah C. A. Southard, niece of 
Gov. Southard, of New Jersey. Their issue was five children, one of whom died 
in infancy. The others were Mary S., wife of Edward Sanford, Esq.; Elanor G., 
wife of S. H. Longworth, now deceased; Julia N., wife of Hon. A. B. Ray; and 
Henry.

The funeral was from the residence of Mr. E. Sanford on Thursday afternoon, 
because of the serious illness of Mrs. Sanford who could not otherwise be 
present. Rev. J. A. Montgomery officiated.

Mrs. Reading is in very poor health, and the health of John G. Reading and 
family, of Flemington, N. Y., was not such as would permit any of them coming 
on to attend the funeral.

Miss Julia Ray, who had passed her examination and was preparing for her 
graduation at the university of Wisconsin, which will occur on Wednesday 
evening of next week, was called home, but will return on next Monday.

Mr. E. H. Sanford is at home from Dakota, as is also Miss Ella Sanford, who 
was attending school in the East.

At the meeting of the bar association the following resolutions were adopted:

Judge James N. Reading dead? No, thank God, he is not dead but sleepeth; 
divested of this earthly tabernacle he lives and will live throughout 
eternity. Therefore be it

Resolved, by the Morris bar that in the enfranchisement of the noble-hearted 
christian gentleman, James Newell Reading, our bar and the legal profession 
lose an honored, courteous and learned member; society, one of its most 
accomplished ornaments; his family, an affectionate and considerate husband; 
Kind and indulgent father; and the poor, their most liberal and unostentacious 
patron and friend.

That to the bereaved family we tender our heartfelt sympathy, which is all we 
have to offer, except to call their attention to the pure and blameless life 
of our brother for real consolation and comfort.

That we attend the funeral in a body, and that R. M. Wing present these 
resolutions to the County Court and P. A. Armstrong to the Circuit Court of 
Grundy County, and move that they be spread on the records.

Morris, Ill, June 9, 1884

P.A. Armstrong, Chairman
O.N. Carter, Secretary



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