Obituary: Winnebago County, Wisconsin: Curtis REED ************************************************************************ Submitted by Kathy Grace, December 2005 © All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ************************************************************************ Daily Northwestern March 19, 1895 p. 1 Pioneer of Menasha Curtis Reed Dies Last Evening The Noted Citizen Succumbs to an Attack of Pleurisy-Deceased is a Brother of Ex-Gov. Harrison Reef of Florida and Uncle of J. L. Mitchell Menasha, Wis., March 19.-- Honorable Curtis Reed, pioneer, founder and notable citizen of this city, died at eleven o'clock last evening of pleurisy. Mr. Reed had been seriously ill only since last Thursday, though during the entire winter he has been confined more or less to his home by reason of the cold weather. Though an octogenarian, he scarcely felt the weight of his years and his sudden demise was entirely unexpected. The cold he contracted settled on his lungs, and he became so ill that a trained nurse was procured. On Sunday he rallied so rapidly and his general appearance was so indicative of returning vigor and health that all fears felt by the family were dispelled. But Monday morning afternoon a change for the worse occurred and at nine o'clock in the evening he commenced to sink rapidly, and from that time until his death occurred he was apparently in a sweet restful sleep, from which he never awoke, the transition from life to death being scarcely noticeable to the family gathered around the bedside. Story of His Life Curtis Reed was born in Westford, Mass., March 26, 1895. He came to this state with his parents in 1836 and located on the present site of Menasha in 1845. He was one of the first settlers in the place and probably no other person has been so thoroughly identified with the history of the city. His earlier occupation was that of a farmer. Since locating at Menasha his attention has been given to the construction and management of extensive real estate interests in this vicinity. He ran for mayor in 1874 against O.J. Hall and was defeated, but he afterwards held the office for two successive terms in 1890 and 1891. For seven years he served as a member of the board of supervisors in Milwaukee and Waukesha counties. Mr. Reed was a member of the territorial council in 1846 from the district that at present embraces Milwaukee, Waukesha, Washington and Ozaukee counties. He served in the legislature from the north district of Winnebago county in 1854 and 1860 and has also been a member of the board of supervisors of Winnebago county for a number of years and has held various municipal offices in this city. Mr. Reed was on the first state board of public works which was appointed to conduct the improvements of the Fox and Wisconsin rivers. In 1886 he was appointed postmaster. This office he held until the change of administration from Cleveland to Harrison occurred. With Cleveland's return to the presidency Mr. Reed also resumed his former duties, and at the time of his death he was incumbent of that office, though his son Charles was named at his assistant and transacted the business of the office. His Family a Noted One. Curtis Reed is of illustrious parentage and the family of which he was a member became prominent in the state, several of his brothers at different times occupying positions of honor and trust. George Reed, the deceased's eldest brother, was a member of the first constitutional convention of the state, served as judge of Manitowoc county, also as state senator for a number of years. He was instrumental in securing the land grant for the Wisconsin central railway and served as first president of that road. He lost his life in the fatal Newhall house fire in Milwaukee in 1882. Mr. Reed's only living brother, ex-Gov. Harrison Reed of Florida, was for a great many years prominently identified with the notably The Milwaukee Sentinel and The Menasha State Journal. He located in Neenah in 1845 and removed to Florida in 1861, where he now resides and where he served as governor for five years, being the first executive of the state after its reconstruction. United States Senator Mitchell is a nephew of Mr. Reed. Mrs. Alexander Mitchell, formerly of Milwaukee and now of Florida, is a sister of the deceased. The wife of Curtis Reed died two years ago. Three sons survive. They are Will W. Reed, city engineer of Menasha; Chas. Reed, assistant postmaster, and Harrison Reed at present living in Appleton. The funeral will be held from the Congregational church at 2 p.m. Wednesday. The three sons and Curtis A. Reed, a grandson, will serve as pallbearers.