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Surnames: Reeder, Martin, Brooks
Classification: Obituary
Message Board URL:
http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/Bk.2ADE/1140
Message Board Post:
These clippings were from the Reeder-Brooks Bible. There was a hand written notation that
said, “Copies of clippings pasted on front and back fly-leaves of Reeder-Brooks Bible.”
This bible has since disappeared. If anyone knows of its location, please contact Jane
Barr Torres (jetorres(a)indiana.edu). Thank you.
Notice of illness, source unknown, probably local Winchester newspaper, probably published
during the summer of 1897.
We are sorry to learn that uncle Martin Reeder, who lives with his *son-in-law in West
River township, is not enjoying as good health as he would desire. His physicians have
told him that he has cancer of the stomach, which is not very encouraging. He will be
seventy-eight years old next November, and has not the vitality to withstand a trouble of
this kind any great length of time.
*Penciled notation at bottom “actually niece & nephew-in-law, Emeline & Henry
Brooks” [I have never seen Belinda Ellen (Groshong) Brooks referred to as Emeline.]
Note: According to the Reeder-Brooks Bible, Martin A. Reeder died August 14th, AD 1897 at
5.Oclock P.M.
DEATH OF A PIONEER.
Martin A. Reeder Passed Away Last
Saturday Evening.
Hon. Martin A. Reeder, a pioneer and well-known citizen of this city and county, died at
the home of his son-in-law, Henry Brooks, last Saturday evening, at 5.o’clock, after a
brief illness of stomach trouble. His remains were taken to Creagerstown, Maryland,
Sunday evening to be laid be the side of the remains of his wife. We append a brief
history of his life, taken from the Randolph County History, in addition to which we will
add that about four years of his life were spent in Maryland, returning here last fall:
“Martin A. Reeder was born in 1819, in Warren county, Indiana [should be Ohio], [words
omitted from article: "and came to Randolph County, Ind.,"] in 1822 with his
grandfather, John Martin. At the age of fourteen years, he entered upon an apprenticeship
of the carpenter’s trade at Richmond, Indiana, working at his trade in that city from
1833-1839. Subsequently to the last-named date, he attended school in the seminary at
Winchester, adding largely to the education begun in the common schools in earlier
boyhood. After leaving school he resumed work at his trade and in the years that followed
became a master builder, and achieved great success in his chosen vocation. In this
county and vicinity there are still many buildings standing which were erected by him or
under his immediate supervision. He was associated with the county in its pioneer period,
and kept pace with its progress, at the same time rising in prominence as a citizen. He
was called upon t!
o fill various local offices in early times, as well as in recent years, and in all
capacities proved himself capable, efficient and trustworthy. He served as County
Assessor two terms, as County Appraiser two terms, as Township Assessor two terms, and
three terms as Township Trustee. In 1875 he was elected by the Republicans as the
Representative from this county in the State Legislature and in this capacity rendered
valuable service. He was honored with important trusts as a member of standing and
special committees and aided very materially in checking extravagance and securing economy
in disbursement of the public money. Among the bills introduced by him were the charter
under which Union City now exists; the act prohibiting the sale of ammunition to minors;
the exemption of the property of widows; the bill for the supression of the liquor
traffic, and the punishment of intoxication and a bill providing for local option. He has
always been an uncompromising temperan!
ce man, taking radical position, and arraying himself boldly as an adversary of the
traffic in intoxicating drinks. In his early life he formed ideals antagonistic to the
institution of slavery, and in his maturer years became one of the prominent Abolitionists
of this community, co-operating with Daniel Worth, Dr. Hiram P. Bennett, Paul W. Way, and
others in this region, engineered and operated the “Under-ground Railroad,” and other
agencies of similar character, and spent both time and money in furtherance of these and
other benevolent enterprises. His anti-slavery sentiments led him to affiliate with the
Whig party and in all its campaigns he proved himself a valuable member. Upon the rise of
the Republican party, he became one of the adherents and has ever since been true to its
principles. During a long life of activity and industry in this community, Mr. Reeder has
achieved a fair degree of success in a financial sense, and though the weight of year!
s has superannuated him for work at his trade, he could not consent to retire entirely
from active life. In the fall of 1881, he embarked in the coal and lime trade at
Winchester, in which he was very successful. he was married in 1843 to Miss Elizabeth
Favorite, daughter of Henry Favorite, of Maryland. In social life both were esteemed and
respected, while their private deeds of kindness and charity have gained for them a
lasting place in the hears of the recipients.”
[The rest of the obituary was covered by another article.]
Separate undated article:
The last will and testament of Martin A. Reeder, deceafed [sic], was probated on August
16. He desired that all just debts and funeral expenses be paid out of his estate, then
he gives and bequeaths in fee simple all personal property, consisting of notes, money,
household goods, and tools, all real estate located in Randolph county and Frederic
county, Maryland, or elsewhere, including all moneys that may be due in the shape of
weekly benefits and funeral benefits, all above to be left with his niece, Ella Brooks,
wife of Henry H.