William Reed
from: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Western Arkansas [Note that the original page says this article is from this book but I haven't been able to find it - Gina.]William Reed, of the firm of Reed & White, blacksmiths and wood-workmen, at Centre Ridge, was born in Summerville, Alabama, in 1848, and was a son of James and Elizabeth (Smith) Reed, who removed from Alabama to Tennessee when William was quite small, and in 1857 Mr. Reed removed to Van Buren County, Arkansas, and from there to Conway County, where he died, April 3, 1887; Mrs. Reed having died in Tennessee. Mr. Reed was a farmer by occupation, and served about three months in the Southern army, being with Gen. Price on his celebrated raid through Missouri. He was a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, and was married three times. William had five brothers and one sister, three of whom were his seniors. He was reared to follow the plow, with the advantages of nothing but the neighboring schools. His first marriage occurred in 1869, to Miss Rebecca, a daughter of Allen and Elizabeth Lacy. She was born in Tennessee, and died in 1875, leaving two children. In 1876 Mr. Reed married Miss Sutha Halbrook, a daughter of Joseph E. Halbrook (whose sketch is in another part of this work). Mrs. Reed was born in Van Buren County, and died about fifteen months after marriage. Mr. Reed married his present wife in 1878. She was Louisa, a daughter of James and Louisa Mahan, who removed from Kentucky to Conway County prior to the war. Mr. Mahan is still a resident of Conway County, but his wife died some time ago. By this union Mr. Reed had six children, of whom three survive. He continued his residence in Van Buren County till 1875, when he removed to Conway County, and farmed near Centre Ridge till about 1888, where he learned the blacksmith trade, which he has since followed, and in February, 1890, formed a partnership with William H. White, which constitutes the present firm. Mr. Reed own a farm of sixty acres near Centre Ridge, and property in town. He is Chaplain of the Centre Ridge Lodge, No. 475, A. F. and A. M., and both he and wife are consistent members of the Missionary Baptist Church.