Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1880-08-26
Judge J. r. Rood.

The lion. j. p. Reed died ut his residence
In Anderson on Thursday night. tho 10Th
instant, In the sixiysix,h year of his age
lie was native of Anderson and spent his
lie. useful rs it has been to tho State and
honorable to himself, in that county. lie
was one Of the few men who, without the
prestige Of family namo and connections,
without tho eclat and influence of wealth
ard without the advantages of thorough
literary education, has by his own pluck
and energies worked his way to an
cnviablo position at the bnr in politics and
in influence for whatever concerned the ma
tcral prosperity of tho State. Few men
have been more gifted by nature than Judge
Reed and fewer with so lttlo advantages
have employed their talents more usefuly and
honorably. AS an advocate at tho bar he
was forcible and eloquent in his language,
his reasoning and his gestures. When the un-
dcrstanding was to be reached his plaiu and
concise statements carried conviction, snd
when tho feelings wero to be touched his
flucncy. pouring out tho treasures Of a gene
rous. charitable and mpulsivc nature, capti.
vatcd the hearts Of his hearers. His cxtraor-
dinary gift of language and readiness of
'eparfec made him most powerful campaign
speaker, aud all must admit he had few
equals and no superiors as an advocate nt
tho bar, or as n political speaker.
In early life, before our day, he edited
and published paper in Anderson
County, but soon abandoned journal
ism and devoted his timo and talents
to law and politics. His lifo is closely
connected with tho growth and de-
'clopmont of Upper Carolina. Being
liberal and public spirited. whatever enter,
prise affected tho welfare Of his section or tho
people Of tho State elected his interest. and
influence. lic was active and untrinp in
working for tho building of tho Grccnyilc
Na'lroad aud was for years one Of tho dircc-
tors OF the corporation. lie was ut all times
friend and promoter Of moral, intellectual
and material progress by every legitimate
means.
when member of tho Legislature
in 1850, he was elected Solicitor of this Cir.
cult and wns reelected until reconstruction
having then filed tho Office for about eighteen
years, with zeal and ability rarely cqualed.
In 1868 hc was elected by the Democrats Of
this district rs q representative in Congress,
beating his competitor, llogc, over 1900
votcs but by reason Of his being unable to
take tho iron-clad oath, no was denied his
scat, his defeated opponont being seated by
his Radical conficrcs in Congress. In tho
campaign Of 1874, between Chamberlain and
Green, Mr.. Reed supported Chamberlain and
was afterwards elected by tho Republican
party Judge of the First Circuit, which posi-
ton ho held until tho DECISION of tho Supreme
Court holding that all tlio judges had been
unconstitutionally elected. Mr.. Reid then
resumed the practice Of his profession at
Anderson, but being in bad health aoon
after, never regainod his old position at tho
bar.
Speaking Of his labors on the bench,
DC, the Charleston MtWs and Courier says:
During Judge Rocd's torn Of olico as
Judge it fell to his lot to pass upon many
questions Of vital importance to tho financial
intorests Of Charleston County. A number
of jndgmcnto had been obtained against tho