Representative Henry Thomas Reed View All Years

HENRY T. REED

MR. SPEAKER: Your committee, appointed to draft resolutions commemorative of the life, character and public services of Judge Henry T. Reed, late Federal Judge of the Northern District of Iowa, beg leave to report the following:

Henry T. Reed was born at Alburgh, Vermont, October 1st, 1846 and died at his home in Cresco, Iowa, Sunday morning, February 24th, 1925, at the age of 77 years. He came with his parents to Howard County, Iowa, in 1855 and was educated in the public schools of that county and at the Craig Academy in Lime Springs.

Mr. Reed was admitted to the bar in 1870 and .opened an office in Cresco, Iowa, where he practiced law until his appointment as United States District Judge in 1904. During the time that he practiced law, he was connected with some of the most important litigation coming before the state and federal courts. In 1876 Mr. Reed was elected to the State Legislature as Representative from Howard County. He served one term in the Legislature and then continued in private life until his appointment as Federal Judge. In March, 1904, he was appointed by President Roosevelt as United States District Judge for the Northern District of Iowa, succeeding Judge Shiras, of Dubuque. This office he filled with great credit to himself and the district until he retired in December, 1921.

In his private life, Mr. Reed was a great lover of his home and family and was true to his friends. He was of rather a retiring nature and of a quiet disposition. He had a great heart full of sympathy and genuine kindness.

He conducted his court with much dignity and his opinions were always well considered. He was frequently called to serve on the Civil Court of Appeals and his decisions on important matters tried before that tribunal are models of good diction, good sense and sound law.

On June 30th, 1868, Mr. Reed was united in marriage with Miss Laura J. Webster. Mrs. Reed passed away in March, 1923. Surviving them are a son and daughter, Carl W. Reed and Mrs. W. T. Daly. The son, Carl W Reed, is now a member of the Iowa State Senate.

The life and character of Judge Henry T. Reed and his long and eventful services, calls for us to place his memory among those who stand high in the history of Iowa.

Therefore, Be It Resolved, By the House of Representatives of the Forty-first General Assembly, that we take this occasion to express our appreciation of the substantial character and the public services of the deceased, and

Be It Further Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be spread upon the Journal of the House, and that the Chief Clerk be directed to send an enrolled copy to the members of his family.

L. B. FORSLING,

C.A. KNUTSON,

OLE NATVIG,

Committee.

Unanimously adopted March 30, 1925.