Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1905-10-13
DEATH PROMINENT CITIZEN
A Worthy Pioneer Has Gone to His Final
Reward.

The largest funeral cortage that has
passed over the hill to the City of the
Dead, couple Of miles south of our
town, for many years, was that of our
pioneer citizen, Thomas NJ. Reed,
Tuesday afternoon. 1t was grand, and
impressive as we'll, under the auspices
of the oldest order of brotherhood
known to the civilized world. Mem.
bers of the mystic tie from all over
this and adjacent States were present.
to do honor to a man who had devoted
his whole life, practically, to exempli.
fication OF its beneficent principles.
He ranked all others in the number of
years of continuous service as Grand
Secretary, an Office upon which the
life and vitality OF the order largely
depends.
The religious services were held at
the family home, on Main and Thir.
tenth streets. Those who gained ad-
mission to the room listened to an
appropriate discourse by Rev. DIR.
Hayes and the beautiful hymns dead
Kindly Light" and Jesus, Lover OF
My Soul" by select choir, while a
far larger number waited, with rever-
emily Bowed heads, on the spacious
grounds outside.
At the grave, the solemn Masonic
ritual was observed, Past Grand Mas.
ter Louis Zeigler, bestowing a tender
tribute of words upon the character OF
his departed brother.
The profusion of floral offerings was
beautifully suggestive Of the high re-
gard in which deceased was held. Set
pieces came from all parts of the
State. About 200 Masons, including
Ivanhoe Commandery No. 4, knights
Templar, OF Tacoma, and many Past
Grands and Eastern Star representa-.
tives, with the State officers, and hosts
Of friends outside of civic orders. were
present to testify their regard for q
good and true man.
Thomas Milburn Reed was born in
Sharpsburg, KY, December s, 1925
Completing his education, he taught
school for q year and then engaged in
mercantile pursuits. When "a years
OF age he joined the memorable rush
to the California goldfields, reaching
Sacramento county in the year of the
discovery of 40. The following year
he went to the mines in Eldorado
county and remained there eight years,
mining and engaging in business pur.
suits. He was an official in the pio.
neer government of Eldorado county
serving as County Treasurer for two
years.
He came to Washington Territory
in 1857, locating at Olympia. This
city has practically been his home
continuously since that time, with the
exception of few years spent in Idaho
He held many positions Of trust and
honor in the Territorial and State gov
erpment. OF his early offices was thai
OF District Attorney, with headquart
ers at Lewiston, Idaho, then within the
boundaries of the Territory of Wash
ington. Later, in 1862, he represented
Idaho county in the Washington Leg
islature, and was chosen Speaker o.
the House for that term. He after
ward practiced law at Lewiston FOL
two years and in 1865 was elected 8
member of the Idaho Legislature te
represent Nez Perces county. After
returning to Olympia he was also
elected a member OF the Legislative
Council from Thurston county.
Mr.. Reed was appointed Territorial
Auditor in 1878, q position which he
held until Cleveland's first term. He
was q delegate to the Constitutions
Convention and was elected the frs,
Auditor of the State, the last public
Office of Importance that he held. Be
sides his service to the State, he served
in the Olympia City Council and
otherwise evinced an interest in public
affairs.
His standing in Masonic circles. ir
one sense, is higher than that Of any
other man in the State. For A years
continuously he has been Secretary o.
tho Grand Lodge OF the State, excep
for three years when he was Grand Mas
ter. He was, in fact, prominent figur'
in the formation OF the Grand Lodge o
this State. and while not a charte
member Of Olympia Lodge No. l, wa
one of its oldest living members.
His wife and four children survive
him. They are: Thomas M. Reed
Jr., Judge OF the Federal Court o
Alaska at Nome; Mark E. Reed, o
Shelton; Mrs. George w. Ingham, o
Olympia, and Avery Reed. OF Shelton