The intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1887-1891, 1890-07-19
JOHN REID.


He was next to the youngest II th'
last surviving child Of Judge Walker
Reid and Anne Tebbs. Judge ReiC
was a well known iurist and public
man, and young Reid imbibed frou
him q love for public life which early
led him to q study OF the politics an,
statesmen of the country. lie wat
always q democrat, though an sdmirel
of Mr.. Clay, aud in those dave |
required in Kentucky courage and con
viclion to oppose the views of the lido
OF the state, especially by one who wa'
we'll born, the wing party being thu
party Of the aristocracy, while thu
democracy was composed generally
of the working people aud more hum
Bile classes. MIR. Reid took al active
part In the political discussions OF thu
day, aud was quite conspicuous In
them. At the age Of thirty-one. July
II, 1853, Mr.. Reid was married, by
Rev. L. F. B~erkeley,in Lexington, Ky.
to Miss Kate q. Hunt, the daughter o
q prominent family there. In October
1854, Mr.. Reid and his young wife
removed from Kentucky to Lafayette
county, Mo-, having purchased ano
settled on the farm now owned by Col
N. v. L. McCleiland, one mile south
of Wellington. Here MI. Reid remained
in the quiet pursuits of agriculture,
surrounded by all that wealth, a beau
tiful home, q lovely wife, hospitable
inclinations, cultivated literary taste,
and q large circle of friends could
bring him OF happiness. peace and con-
tentment-an ideal life. When the tocsin
of war sounded throughout the land
calling 10 arms those men who loved
their country, Mr.. Reid was u of the
first to respond, and his ability and
high standing were attested by his ap-
pointment to be commissary general
with the rank of colonel Of Gen. Ster-
ling Prices command, the duties OF
which position he continued to fill
with benefit to the army and to the
satisfaction OF his chief.
AT the close of the war Col. Reid
returned, in December, 1864, TO his
farm, where he resided until 1869 when
he removed to Lexington, where he
remained until his death.
Col. Reid was Q business man of
Judgment, energy and pluck. Somewhat
speculative In his disposition he engag-
ed iu many enterprises, not q few OF
them undertaken for the advancement
of the community In which he lived.
He was not always successful, but when
q loss came he only exerted himself the
more. so that his wealth has continued
to grow steadily year by year. He was
one Of the organizers of the Lexington
Savings bank in 1870, with which
souAd aud prosperous institution he
was connected, most OF the time as
president, until a lew months ago, when
he sold out his interests there, having
previously assisted IN the organization
of the Midland National Bank, OF Kan
sas City, of which he was a large stock
holder and o director at the time of his
death. Until a short time before he
died be was engaged In the organizes
lion of the new National Stock Yards
bank, of Kansas City.
From the time of his residence in
Missouri he was always prominent in
the councils of his party. While never
0 candidate for Office he was frequently
mentioned and urged for governor and
for congress. OF q magnificent physique,
atanding six feet. one inch In his
stocking feet, he was by nature and
training an athlete and g sportsman.
excellent shot, he was fond Of dog
aud gun, and no less expert With rod
and reel. A n~aturslist by study and
obsers alton, he prosecuted his in.
quiries by extensive travels In this and
other countries, and there was little OF
the fauna and fora of his native land
that was not familiar to him. In
recognition OF these tastes and accom-
plishments Coy. Phelps appointed Col.
Reid the first fish commissioner of the
state, O position to which be was re-
appointed and the duties of which he
filed with zeal. and without emolu-
ment. During the stirring canvas Of
1874, when the alliance OF the republic
car party with the farmers movement,
under the lead of Carl Schnrz. threat
ened trouble for the democratic party,
Col. Reid was made chairman of the
democratic state central committee. In
this, as In other matters, he put forth
his best energies. took up his quarters
permanently in st. Louis for several
months and as q result of his leadership
Gov.C II. Hardin was elected over Maj.
VIM. Gentry by . majority of 81 ,46s
votes.
Col. Reid was o man Of prepossess.
ing manners TO has iHtimstes, but with
a peculiarly of pride mingled with
timidity which sometimes repealed
where better knowledge OF the man
would have prevented 1t from doing SO.
To women he was charming-courtly
AMI polite. full Of anecdote, poetry,
pathos and sympathy. An omni yerou'
reader, especially OF classic poetry aud
prose, hls conversation was q niue oil
weslth. He vas q man of earnest con-
victions-s good hstsE, bnt also 81 in
tense friend. He was known oacs during
the was 70 stand by . drunken, worth
less fellow, TO haul him over the
country az bis clerk against the pro.
tests of Gen. Price, until the creature
] robbed him Of several thousand dollars
In gold and confederate money aud
deserted 10 the enemy. When he loved
a man he loved hun and when he hated
hun he hated him. The rascal who dc
oeived him would have stood but
poor chance hsd be fallen Into bi
hands after bis trpe character became
known. or earnest religious eonvic,
lions, while he made no profession he
was a praying man, and he was full 0
charities made known to no one-hi
left hand not knowing what his RICH
was constantly doing in this way. Wit
many friends and perhaps q few