Alexander Reed came to this country from Donegal, Ireland, in 1794. His brother, Thomas Reed, and his mother's brother, Alexander Cunningham, had settled in the town of Washington some time before. His father, Robert Reed, graduated in Edinburgh, and was a minister in high standing in Scotland but was called to Ireland to preach against the Arian heresy then creeping into the Presbyterian Church. Unitarian theology is almost the same as that of Arius. All the books upon its doctrines are said to be lost. The church Robert Reed established at Manor Cunningham, County Donegal, Ireland, had at one time, it is said, a thousand communicants and his children and grandchildren have been the sole occupants of the pulpit for one hundred and fifty years. It is yet one of the most important churches in that county. Under the training of such a father, the son imbibed thos principles of morality and religion which formed his character and influence his conduct throughout life. The death of his brother occurring soon after his arrival, Alexander Reed became sole proprietor of the store occupied by his son Colin Reed and grandsons, Alexander and Colin. He became much interested in developing the agricultural resources of the county and purchased largely of real estate. In 1821 he bought a flock of imported Spanish merino sheep of Alexander Wilson of Philadelphia and began the business of fine-wool growing. He was the first to send wool to the eastern market. He was also among the first to introduce best English horses and cattle. His father-in-law, Rev Colin McFarquher, used to say while here on visits to his daughter that her children would see these hills white with sheep. Alexander Reed himself lived to see this prophecy literally fulfilled when Washington County had a million sheep and was the finest wool-growing county in the United States.In 1826 he sent silkworm eggs to George Rapp, the founder of the society at Economy, who gave them to his granddaughter, Gertrude Rapp, as the seeds of an industry likely to furnish pleasant employment for women. It was not long before Mr Rapp and his granddaughter made their appearance here one fair day arrayed in suits of handsome black silk, the result of that gift of silkworm eggs. This was the beginning of their silk factory, in operation for thirty years. It has been idle since 1856. With the existing silk tariff it was never profitable. They exhibited their silks, satins, velvets and brocades at fairs in New York and Boston, and Miss Rapp, who is yet a vigorous woman, still shows medals awarded her there. They demonstrated the practicability of silk-making in this country, and anticipated by more than half a century the work of the ladies who recently presented Mrs Garfield a silk dress pattern, thinking it the first silk ever made in this country. Mr Reed was one of the original trustees in the charter of Washington College as well as of the female seminary. He was president of the Franklin Bank from its foundation and treasurer of the Presbyterian Church from its organization till his death. In all projects and enterprises to advance the interests of town or country, in all the institutions for promoting the cause of education, morals or religion, he was prominent, active and efficient. His regard for truth and honesty was the foundation of that universal confidence reposed in him. In all the varied and multiplied transactions of nearly fifty years, his truth and integrity were never impeached and he was never engaged in a lawsuit. In 1799 he married Janette McFarquher, daughter of Rev Colin McFarquher of Inverness, Scotland, who came to this country during the Revolutionary War. He preached thirty years in Donegal, Lancaster county, Penna, in an old church which is yet standing. The children of Alexander Reed were: George Reed; Eliza Reed; Colin Reed; Robert R Reed; Alexander Reed; and Sarah Reed. The last two died in infancy. George Reed died at twenty eight; many cherished hopes for a brilliant future were buried with him. Eliza died while on a trip to Philadelphia, just in the bloom of womanhood. Colin Reed is the only one now living at the age of seventy seven. In 1835 he married the widow of Lieutenant Ritner of the United States Army, who died at the end of one year leaving a daughter, Mary Reed, who is now the wife of Henry Laughlin of Pittsburgh, of the firm of Jones and Laughlin. In 1842 he married Sarah E Chapman of Massachusetts, sister of Major William Chapman. The children of this marriage were Isabella Reed; Laura Reed; Helen Reed; Alexander Reed; Colin Reed; Robert Reed; Ethelind Reed; and Alice Reed. Isabella married William Copeland of Pittsburgh, both of whom have been dead many years. Laura is the wife of James R Clark and is living now in the old home built by her grandfather Reed. Colin married Miss Ada Brownlee and is now in business with his father and brother, Alexander, in the same location where nearly one hundred years ago it was first established by Alexander Reed. Alexander, Ethelind, and Alice are unmarried. Robert and Helen died in early childhood. In 1830 Robert Rantoul Reed married the oldest daughter of Judge Thomas H Baird. The children of this marriage were: Ann Eliza Reed; Alexander Reed; Thomas Reed; Janette Reed; George Reed; Ellen Reed; Isabella Reed; Colin Reed; William Reed; Joseph Reed; and Charles Reed. Alexander was a man of mark in the pulpit, an earnest, eloquent and attractive preacher of the gospel. His first charge was the Octorara, one of the long established churches of the presbytery of Chester. From there he went to Philadelphia, from thence to Brooklyn. In pastoral work he excelled and in all the churches he served, he is lovingly remembered to this day. After his returned from Europe he was called to Denver, where he died at the age of forty seven after a brief but effective work there. His widow, Mary Watson, and children are here in Washington, Penna. Thomas Reed is an eminent physician in Philadelphia. William Reed is preaching in Helena, Montana. George Reed, Colin Reed and Joseph Reed are all in business in Pittsburgh. All the daughters of this family died early. Robert Reed died in the army of typhoid fever. George Reed was also a soldier in the Federal army. Dr Thomas Reed was a surgeon in the Pennsylvania reserves during the War. He married Miss Campbell of Carlisle, Penna. George Reed married Matilda McKennan of this town; Colin Reed married Miss Lord of Mississippi; William Reed married Miss McKnight of Pittsburgh. The widow of Dr R R Reed is now over seventy, and living among children and sisters. History of Washington County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men / edited by Boyd Crumrine. Illustrated. Philadelphia: L.H. Everts and Co., 1882. p481 http://digital.library.pitt.edu/fulltext/simple.htm ________________________________________________________________ Sign Up for Juno Platinum Internet Access Today Only $9.95 per month! Visit www.juno.com