More Great Grandparent stories: William A. Reed

More great-grandparent stories. WIlliam A. Reed is another great-grandfather of my friend.

William A. Reed

​William A. Reed was born on 01 Jun 1875 in Dunkirk, Hardin, Ohio, United States as the first child of Albert Reed and Sylvia M Razey. He had one sibling, namely: Clarence Alden. He died on 21 Oct 1963. When he was 26, he married Rena Bella Slocum, daughter of Calvin R. Slocum and Sylvia C Amidon, on 30 Oct 1901 in Canisteo, Steuben, New York, United States.

We first find William in the 1880 Census as a 5 year old living on his father's farm in Ohio. His father and his father's parents are listed as having been born in Ohio, while his mother Sylvia was born in New York, as were her parents. William was born in Ohio.

William A. Reed and Rena Belle Slocum Wedding photo

William and Rena Wedding Announcement

By 1910 William is married to Rena, living in Steuben New York with their 3 children and working as a Manager in a Silk Mill.

William A. Reed and Rena Bella Slocum had the following children:

• Edna Ardinell Reed was born about 1903 in Niagara Falls, New York, USA.
• Sylvia P Reed was born about 1907 in New York, USA. She died about 1992.
• Merle Alden Reed was born on 17 Dec 1908 in New York, USA. He died on 25 Jul 1999 in Englewood, Sarasota, Florida, USA. He married Ruth Ross about 1936 in New Jersey, USA. He married Evang Thomas on 02 Dec 1961 in Westport, Connecticut, USA. He married Miriam Hadlock Bowker on 28 Mar 1984 in Charlotte, Florida.

In the 1920 Census, the family is still living in Steuben New York with all three children at home. William is working as a Bookkeeper in a Silk Mill.

By 1930, William and Rena were both 54 years old. Only Merle was still at home; William's mother, Sylvia was also living with the family as well as a servant. William is again shown as a Manager in a Silk Mill. I can't seem to find him in the 1940 Census. But we know that he and Rena lived to celebrate their 65 Anniversary together.

William and Rena in 1952

William and Rena on their 65th Wedding Anniversary

William Reed is the father of Merle Reed who is the father of Peter Reed.