Born in Ashland County, Ohio, March 12, 1835. He was educated at Hayesville Academy, studied law and was admitted to the bar and, in 1857, came to Iowa, locating at Adel where he practiced his profession. When the Civil War began he helped to organize the Second Battery of Light Artillery in which he served to the close of the war. In 1865 he was elected to the State Senate from the Twenty-first District composed of the counties of Madison, Adair, Guthrie and Dallas. He served four years and in 1872 was chosen judge of the District Court where he served twelve years until he was elected on the Republican ticket Judge of the Supreme Court. He was Chief Justice in 1889 and resigned that place to accept a nomination for Congress in the Ninth District. Judge Reed was elected, serving one term. In 1891, upon the establishment of the Court of Private Land Claims, Judge Reed was appointed by President Harrison Chief Justice of the Court.

Born in Ashland County, Ohio, March 12, 1835. He was educated at Hayesville Academy, studied law and was admitted to the bar and, in 1857, came to Iowa, locating at Adel where he practiced his profession. When the Civil War began he helped to organize the Second Battery of Light Artillery in which he served to the close of the war. In 1865 he was elected to the State Senate from the Twenty-first District composed of the counties of Madison, Adair, Guthrie and Dallas. He served four years and in 1872 was chosen judge of the District Court where he served twelve years until he was elected on the Republican ticket Judge of the Supreme Court. He was Chief Justice in 1889 and resigned that place to accept a nomination for Congress in the Ninth District. Judge Reed was elected, serving one term. In 1891, upon the establishment of the Court of Private Land Claims, Judge Reed was appointed by President Harrison Chief Justice of the Court.