BIO: Col. Wilbur F. REEDER, Centre County, Pennsylvania Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Wayne Barner Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/ _______________________________________________ Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898. _______________________________________________ COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD, pages 64-66 COL. WILBUR F. REEDER, junior member of the law firm of Hastings & Reeder, of Bellefonte, who has the reputation of being one of the most industrious and studious members of the Centre County Bar, in which he has taken high rank, is in direct line of descent from one John Reeder, who came from Norfolk, England, in 1656, and settled at Newtown, L. I., the Colonel representing the sixth generation of the family in America. Charles Reeder, one of the sons of John (1), was born in 1713, married in 1736, to Eleanora Menick, and died in 1803. John Reeder (2) was a pioneer of what is now Northumberland County, Penn., coming probably from New Jersey prior to the Revolutionary war, and locating near the present town of Elysburg. He was driven out by the Indians at the time of the general exodus, and remained away about seven years. Subsequently he returned and married Elizabeth Fisher, who was born in Sussex county, - N. J., in 1774, and died in Northumberland County, Penn., in 1840. Some few years after 1799 they removed to Allegheny, Penn., where he was connected with the iron industry of that vicinity, and there died in 1813. Elizabeth Fisher was the daughter of Joseph and Catherine Mineger Fisher, the former the progenitor of the Fisher family in America, born in Saxony in 1734, and with friends and a sister Elizabeth, immigrated to this country about 1747, locating in West Jersey, a German colony at that time. In 1788 he located in Northumberland County, Penn., where the remaining years of his life were passed. He was a patriot, and served his country in the Revolutionary war. His wife was born in Holland in 1746. One of the sons of John Reeder (2), Joseph Reeder, was born at Bear Gap, Northumberland County, in 1799, married Catherine Mutcheler, who was born in 1792 and died in 1852. Not long after the father's death the family of John Reeder (2) removed from Allegheny County back to their old farm. Joseph Reeder, after his marriage, located in the vicinity of Elysburg, Penn., where they lived until 1853, owning an extensive and valuable plantation. From that time until 1859 he was a merchant at Paxinos, Penn., again a farmer in Northumberland County until 1870, then lived retired at Elysburg where his death occurred in 1881. He married the second time. He and his wife Catherine were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Catherine Mutcheler was the daughter of Samuel and Mary Fisher Mutcheler, the father from what is now Warren County, N. J., and the mother, the daughter of Joseph Fisher above referred to, were married in 1788, and in 1791 located on a tract of undeveloped land in Columbia County. Penn., on Little Roaring creek where they subsequently resided; she was born in 1769; both were members of the Presbyterian Church; in after years he engaged in the business of weaving in flannels and woolen fabrics. HIRAM J. REEDER, one of the sons of Joseph Reeder, the father of Col. Wilbur F. Reeder, was born in Rush township, Northumberland County, March 5, 1826, married, in 1849, Elizabeth, daughter of Joseph and Sarah Tietsworth Yocum, born in 1830. After marriage they removed to a farm near Catawissa, Penn., where they resided until 1870 when they moved to Catawissa, where they continue to reside. From 1863 until 1870 Mr. Reeder served as a justice of the peace. He has occupied a prominent position in local affairs, having filled various local offices; was elected one of the county commissioners in 1870 for a term of three years; in 1873 he was again elected a justice of the peace for five years. He is a prominent Mason. He has been an active worker in the M. E. Church all his life, of which Church he and his wife are members. Their children are: Joseph B., born in 1851, died in 1869; George C., born in 1853, died in 1863; and Wilbur F. WILBUR F. REEDER was born near Catawissa, Penn., on January 7, 1855. He entered Dickinson Seminary, at Williamsport, Penn., in 1872, and in 1875 was graduated, receiving a degree of B. A. and taking the first honors of his class. In the fall of 1875 he came to Bellefonte, and commenced reading law with the firm of Rush, Yocum & Hastings, and in May, 1877, was admitted to the Bar after passing a rigid examination, of which circumstance the Democratic Watchman made this comment: COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 65 Mr. Wilbur Reeder, late a law student with Bush, Yocum & Hastings, was admitted to the Bar a couple of weeks ago after standing one of the best examinations ever gone through with by any young lawyer in this county. The examination was an exceedingly strict and thorough one, the committee putting in some twenty- five hours hard work. But they found Mr. Reeder booked on all points and in all phases of the law, showing the most ample preparation and an exhaustive course of reading. The young gentleman was highly complimented by his examiners and the lawyers generally. He is now a full-fledged attorney. We wish him success, hoping that he may go up until he reaches the topmost round in the ladder of legal fame and honor. He at once commenced the practice of law, and in 1881 formed a partnership with D. H. Hastings, since adjutant-general and now Governor of the Commonwealth. In the study of law Mr. Reeder applied himself closely, which was a distinct characteristic of the man, and which has so remained, and to which his success thus far in his practice is attributed. Early in his career he became recognized as a safe counselor and reliable attorney, which resulted in procuring for the firm a large and lucrative practice. During Gen. Hastings' four-years' term of service as adjutant-general of the State Mr. Reeder most successfully managed their large business; this he is continuing to do while Mr. Hastings is serving his gubernatorial term. In January 1889, he was concerned for the defense in a murder case, the first one after his admission to the Bar, and succeeded in procuring a verdict of acquittal after a vigorous and most bitter fight. Again, in November 1889, he was retained for the accused in a murder case, when the press at this time remarked: The defense was represented by W. F. Reeder, Esq., singly and alone.; Mr. Reeder had already made a reputation for himself as a criminal lawyer, but his effort in behalf of the man charged with the murder of his wife and mother-in- law have added a new lustre of unusual brilliancy to his professional reputation. Under the circumstances connected with the case, which were so clear, it seemed almost an absurdity to set up any defense, and any man who sat in the courthouse on Wednesday afternoon and heard the case Mr. Reeder presented to establish the plea of emotional insanity could easily recognize in it the work of a great lawyer. And anyone who sat in the court house on Thursday afternoon, and listened to his eloquent appeal in behalf of his client, will readily coincide with us that the star in the professional firmament of Mr. Reeder now shines with unusual brilliancy, and that he is destined ere long to stand in the first ranks of the most noted criminal lawyers of the land. Outside of his professional life he has taken an active part in politics, and has several times served as chairman of the Republican County Committee, and of his services in this line the press on January 18, 1895, observed: W. F. Reeder, Esq., who has been chairman of the Republican committee of Centre county for the last three years, has resigned and laid down the scepter for another leader to take it up. Wilbur F. Reeder has made a noble leader, and is the man who led the Republican party to victory in Centre County. He is possessed of an indomitable will power and sound judgment; so that where he would lead his party was not afraid to follow. In the year 1887 he was chairman, and through his devotion and loyalty to the cause a full board of county officers was elected, something that 0 had not happened for thirty years. His party recognized in him a man of sterling worth and ability, and in the year 1892 he was called again to take up arms and wage a battle against the principles of Democracy. He made a good fight and finished his course that year by again winning old Centre County into the line of Republicans by an overwhelming majority. His shots were well aimed and the enemy fell back. The resignation of Mr. Reeder may be thought a loss to the party, but in time of war he will be found a volunteer in the front rank. The cause of his laying off the official uniform was the large and increasing law practice demanding his close attention. In 1891 Mr. Reeder was elected mayor of Bellefonte. "His nomination and election is but a slight recognition of his many excellent qualities, and the judicial bench of Centre County might feel perfectly safe and justly proud of such a thoroughly qualified jurist and legal practitioner. In W. F. Reeder the people of Bellefonte will have an able and dignified mayor. He will make one of the best officials the borough has ever had." Mr. Reeder has proven himself a force in everything he has undertaken; his name was prominently mentioned at one time in connection with the judgeship. His ability and general make-up is such as will qualify him to fill high positions with honor and credit. As a citizen he is progressive, and commands the utmost respect and confidence of all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance. He has been identified with the National Guard of Pennsylvania since 1880, his record being as follows: a private of Company B, 5th Regiment; corporal, July, 1880; discharged, February, 1882; first lieutenant, Company B, July 22, 1889; re-enlisted July 23, 1894; appointed assistant adjutant-general on the staff of the commander-in-chief January 25, 1895, which position he now holds. Col. Reeder performed active duty at Homestead, Penn., in July 1892, and at Punxsutawney, Penn., in June and July 1894. As a member of the National Guard of Pennsylvania he has taken an active interest in everything pertaining to that organization. With his ability, industry and perseverance Col. Reeder has certainly brilliant future before him. In 1896 he received the indorsement of the County Convention for Congress. On September 11, 1897, Col. Reeder was appointed Deputy Attorney-General of the State of Pennsylvania, and at once assumed the duties of his office. This appointment was regarded by the press of the State as being merited on the one side and worthily bestowed on the other. Col. Reeder is a member of the Union League of Philadelphia, as well as of other patriotic and social organizations. He is also prominent in Masonic circles, where he has attained to the thirty- second degree. On December 19, 1878, he was married to Lillie S. Gotwalt, and they have one son, John Wallace, born December 26, COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 66 1879. Mrs. Reeder is a daughter of Rev. Thomas and Mary J. Gotwalt, and a lineal descendant of Gov. Schultz.