Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1910-08-24
SKETCH OF COLONEL SAMUEL MCDOWELL REID
Aumnus Trustee and Friend Of L. U Devoted to the Best
Interests Of Lexington and Rockbrdge, County
Clerk Many Years

~, loZO, Miss Sarah Elizabeth Hare,
OF Nelson county, Va. a daughter
oil DR.. William B. Hare and Eliza
beth Cabell, his wife. There we're
born to them seven children; then
death entered the happy family
circle. and the beloved wife and
mother was taken away. Two of the
children died in infancy, while three
grown sons, handsome, manly
youths. OF whom any father might
be proud, died in early manhood,
leaving his home desolate, and his
name extinct.
Two daughters remained to him;
Mary Louisa, the elder OF them.
married James ]. White, Professor
OF Greek in Washington and Lee
University, and Agnes married
Col. John De Hart Ross of Culpeper
county.
Colonel Reid was, throughout his
long and useful life, devoted to the
interests Of his people and his place.
He was always foremost in what
ever promised to advance either.
For more than fifty years be was
trustee of Washington College, and
OF the University which grew out
OF 1T. His Judgment and business
tact we've recognized and valued by
his co-trustees, as Is evinced on
one occasion, particularly, when he
was appointed by the board a CON-
mittee of one to act with the Presi
dent in the selection of q professor.
He was one of the founders of the
Graham Debating Society OF the col.
lege.
He was one OF the founders and a
stock holder OF the Franklin Society
which for nearly three quarters of
a century was the most potent fac
tor in the community; begetting
and fostering taste for literature
and oratory. For hfty years he
was trustee of the Ann Smith
Academy, and and earnest friend
and supporter of that valuable in
stitution.
he was a member of the Board OF
Public Works, and mainly instru-
men tai in having North River open
ed TO navigation to Lexington.
Also, one of the chief organizers
and supporters OF the Rockbridge |
County Fair, and OF the Virginia |
State Agricultural and Mechanical |
Society, thus manifesting bis great
interest in the subject of agricul- |
ture, upon which bis people and |
section so largely depend. For
many years OF his life he was a lul- |
ing elder in the Presbyterian !
church, and his home was the abode |
OF a generous and an elegant hos
pitality.
Colonel Reid represented his coun-
ty In the State Legislature for three
terms, embracing the most eventful
and critical period oft State S his
tory.
He was also. for nanny years,
the General Receiver of the Courts
of Rockbridge county.
Mr.. Frederick Johnston, in his
Memorials of Virginia Clerks in
cludes Colonel Reid 8 name in a list
of twenty-five out Of the eight hun
dred clerks OF Virginia, which he
selects as exceptionally skillful
clerks. or otherwise remarkable
men," In this Memorial Volume he
is thus characterized;
The distinguishing traits in
Colunel Reid's character we're, his
sound common-sense. strong will,
ssrict integrity, undertaking candor
and directness in word and deed,
high moral courage, a notable free
don from consciousness in his
Judgment of others, q uniform spirit
Of kindness in his intercourse with
his fellOw-men, and unbounded
all more fully develop
I'D by constant intercourse with
many leading men OF his day, with
" hom he was thrown, in the con-
duct OF public institutions and enter
prises,"
Mrs. S. G. z. Miller OF Prince
ION, N. j.. in sketch of her grand
'ather, Colonel James Mcdowell,