BIO:  Benjamin Josephus REED, Hamiltonban Township, Adams County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis

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History of Cumberland and Adams Counties, Pennsylvania
Chicago:  Warner, Beers & Co., 1886
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Part III, History of Adams County, Page 446

BENJAMIN JOSEPHUS REED (deceased) was born in the same house in Hamiltonban 
Township, this county, in which he died in August, 1870.  His grandfather, James 
Reed, was one of the earliest settlers in this part of the county, where he took 
up a large tract of land, now divided into several farms, on one of which the 
widow of our subject and her four daughters now live.  Benjamin Reed, son of 
James, was born on the tract, and came into possession of the farm on which Mrs. 
Reed now lives.  He married Sarah Jack, and had two sons:  James, who died 
young, and Benjamin Josephus (the youngest of the family) and four daughters:  
Margaret, Nancy, Polly and Sarah.  None of this family is now living.  The 
subject of this sketch married Arabella E. McClellan, who was born near 
Fairfield, and they had eleven children, three of whom are deceased:  David C., 
born August 27, 1844, and died August 20, 1852; Joseph A., born October 14, 
1841, died February 5, 1862, and John M., born January 18, 1840, died February 
15, 1885.  The living are Elvira, born March 30, 1825, wife of Alexander Kyner, 
living near Shippensburg, Cumberland County; Sarah, born March 25, 1827, living 
with her mother; William S., born May 10, 1829, married to Martha White, living 
near the old home; Benjamin, born January 26, 1831, married to Molly Seifert, 
living in Hamiltonban Township, this county; Mary, born April 10, 1833, living 
with her mother; Charles M., born January 15, 1836, married to Mary E. Peters, 
of Hamiltonban Township, this county, living near the home-place; Eliza B., born 
January 20, 1838, and Margaret P., born July 4, 1847, are living with their 
mother.  The father of this numerous family never left his birthplace, except 
during the war of 1812, when he served in the army.  He was contented with his 
lot, and never aspired to office or to place of any kind.  His aged widow is now 
living with her daughters, awaiting the summons to join him on the other shore, 
and her children are making her last days as pleasant and comfortable as 
possible.  She has always been a member of the Presbyterian Church, and is 
sustained in her last days by the hope of eternal life to come.