The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-11-22

MIX. REED ENGAGED IN BUSINESS
as manufacturer of carriage wheels
and carriage material. In few years
the product of the Reed mandatory
had become an essential factor in the
successful equipment of carriages of
fine grade The business increased,
and offices were established in Boston
and wood for turning out carriage
rims and spolles was received from
Mount Airy, North Carolina, where a
branch of the local plant has been es-
tablished
No office within the city's gift has
been considered too great a reward for
Mr.. Reeds years of good citizenship
de was member of the common coun-
Gil for six years, and after this term
of service, in 18S0-1SS1, he was mem
| Der of the board of aldermen. In 1883
Mr.. Reed, who has always been a
staunch republican in national politics
and independent in municipal, received
the nomination of the citizens party
for the mayoralty contest. The occu-
pant of the office for the previous year,
Samuel E. Hildreth, republican, was
| his opponent
! For two terms Mr.. Reed enjoyed the
| distinction of being the citizens party
mayor in a republican city. During
Mayor Reeds term the police head
| quarters and central district court
| were removed from city hall building
TO the present station ON Waldo street.
Absolute independence in opinion, made
| the efforts of political leaders impossi-
| BILE, if the rights of the people had to
| be discarded for personal payment of
election favors. His administration
was marked by refreshing political
| cleanliness. In December 1884. when he
Il IL
| largest vote ever cast for a candidate
for a similar office in this city to that
time.
Mayor Reed was distinctively
a BUSINESS MAYOR"
His financial policy was pay as you
go, and he never strayed ahead of the
system. He presented and advocated
the police and signal system which has
been in use until recently, but with
drew the plan aiming to keep down the
taxes until the citys liability for dam
ages in the taking of Tatnuck brook
had been determined. He vetoed the
building Of the fire department head
quarters as being against the policy of
putting costs of buildings into the
| next years taxes.
During Mr.. Reeds service at CITY
hall, he held the offices of president of
the common council for three years,
and president of the board of aldermen
for two years. He represented the
board of aldermen on the board of city
hospital trustees. He was one of the
most earnest supporters of the move
ment to secure Tatnuck brook as the
source Of an additional water supply.
and the introduction of water in res
ervoirs and pipe lines to the city
proper. As mayor under the old char
ter he was president of the school
board, and chairman of the overseers
OF the poor He represented the city
in the sale of the Boston, Barre and
Gardner Railroad stock to the Fitch
burg Railroad Company
Since Mr.. Reefs retirement from M
litical Office he has been active in the
business and moral circles of the city.
He was jealous advocate of reorga-
nization Of the Board of Trade, and has
been director for several years. In
1897 he was president of the Board of
Trade, and there was a businesslike
system which he employed in that Of
flee which has been the goal for which
his successors have strived. In the in
Vestigation of the practicability of
grade crossings, he was chairman of the
committee from the Board of Trade.
EX- Mayor Reed was an ex-president
OF the Worcester County Mechanics
association, past master of Morning
Star Lodge, Masons; a member of Wor-
cester Royal Arch Chapter; past emf
nent commander, Worcester Conntv
Commandery, Knights Templar; a
member of Worcester Council, ROYAL
Arcanum; a member Of Worcester
Lodge, I. O. Q. F., and Wachusett En-
campment. He was a life member Of
the Young Mems Christian Associa-
ton.
IN PLYMOUTH CHURCH
he had been prominent in benevolent
and religious work from the date of
organization. He had been a member Of
the standing committee, and until two
years ago, when he suffered an attack
of heart failure while attending
meeting of the church, he was an ar
dent worker, untiring in his efforts TO
assist young men and always willing
to give freely of moral and financial as
sistance He was an x-superintande3+
of the Plymouth church Sunday school
and here he showed magnetic influence
In the training of children and shapinp
their minds to religious beliefs.
About seven years ago, ex-Mavor
Reed married Miss Anna Whitcomb
who became his third wife She is q
niece OF John B. Cough, famed as a
temperance lecturer, and their bone life
mas been most Fictitious The weddine
ceremony was performed by Rev. DR.
David O. Mears at that time pastor of
Pledmont church. in which the hrida
was a prominent worker The SCENE NJ
the wedding was in the home of the
widow Of Clavin Taft, Mrs. Cornelia. A
Taft, 772 Main street.
Besides a wife, ex-Mayor Reed leaves
two sons, Carl, who was graduated
from worcester Polytechnic Institute
in the class of '99, and Frank an Older
brother, who resides in Winthron He
leaves two sisters, Mrs. George TAFT
and Mrs. William Taft, both residents
OF this city. A brother, Rev. George Fl
Reed of Concord, N. H, is a Conpreea.
tional minister.
TRIBUTES TO HIS MEMORY.
Ex-Mayor Henry A. Marsh. one of tho
hVe living ex-mayors of the city. when
told by The Spy man of ex-Mavor
Reeds death, last night, expressed sor-
row In the deepest mood. He said: "Ex-
Mayor Reed and myself served together
IN board of aldermen in 1880 and 1881
Having been so closely associated with
him, have intimate knowledge or his
character. He possessed great force of
character and natural ability. one If
MS most remarkable traits was a hannv
way he had of ACCOMPLISHING rasi5its
that he aimed at. He was one Of on,
most active and public spirited citizens
and his loss will be greatly felt. / Ger
fanny feel startled in being Informed of
his death. To me he had appeared to
be In good health with but slight siens
Oh another attack of heart failure. Our