Charles A. Reid
In placing the name of Hon. Charles A. Reid before the reader as one standing in the front rank of the enterprising men of affairs and a leader of the bar at Washington C. H., Ohio, whose influence has tended to the upbuilding of the city of his residence and the advancement of the affairs of his native county of Fayette, simple justice is done a biographical fact recognized throughout the community by those at all familiar with his history and cognizant of the important part he has acted in the circles with which he has been identified. His career presents a notable example of those qualities of mind and character which overcome obstacles and win success, and because of his eminent ability and his strength of character he has won and retains the confidence and esteem of the community.
Charles A. Reid is descended from good old pioneer stock, which has been identified with Fayette county since the early days. His paternal grandparents. Nelson H. and Barbara (Harley) Reid, were natives of the state of Maryland, but in an early day came to Fayette county, Ohio, and here settled on a farm, to the operation of which Nelson Reid devoted himself during his active years. Later he relinquished the labors of the farm and moved to Washington C. H., where his death occurred about ten years afterwards. To him and his wife were born the following children: Lawson, Martha (Crone), Mary (Thomas), Julia (Mayo), William S. (father of the subject of this sketch), Ellen (Stokesberry), Nancy (Saunders) and Adaline R. (Stuckey). Mr. Reid's maternal grandparents were David and Elizabeth (Smith) Creamer, who were born in Virginia and who also were numbered among the early settlers in Fayette county. He died when about sixty years of age, and his wife at the age of eighty years. Their children were as follows : Wallace, who is now ninety-four years of age ; Catharine (Worthington), now ninety-two years of age; Cynthia (Wentz), deceased; Nancy (Stimpson). deceased; Oliver, who died in young manhood, and Caroline, mother of the subject.
William S. Reid, the subject's father, was born and reared in Union township, Fayette county, and spent practically his entire life on a farm, from which he retired about twelve years ago. He owned a farm of one hundred and twenty-five acres, which he improved into one of the best farms in his locality, and there he reared his family. He married Caroline Creamer, also a native of Fayette county, and to them were born five sons, namely: W. Orlando, of Jeffersonville, Ohio; Charles A., the immediate subject of this review; Howard C, of Paint township; Arthur H., of Greenville, Ohio, and William E., of Jeffersonville. During the Civil War William S. Reid enlisted for service and rendered faithful support to the Union cause in the ranks.
Charles A. Reid was born on November 23, 1864, on the paternal farmstead in Jefferson township, this county, and there grew to manhood. He received his elementary education in the district school and the high school at Washington C. H., after which for a period of five years he taught school. Having determined to devote himself to the practice of law, he entered the National Normal University, at Lebanon, this state, where he pursued the law course, and in 1891 was duly admitted to the bar. He located at once in Washington C. H.. where he has remained and during the subsequent years he has been numbered among the busy, able and successful members of the local bar. As a lawyer he evinces a familiarity with legal principles and a ready perception of facts which has won him the reputation of a safe and sound practitioner. Years of conscientious work have brought with them not only increase of practice and reputation, but also that growth in legal knowledge and that wide and accurate judgment the possession of which constitutes marked excellence in the profession. By a straightforward, honorable course he has built up a large and lucrative legal business and has been connected with most of the important cases tried in the local courts. He is attorney for the Midland National Bank and the Fayette County Bank.
Politically, Mr. Reid has been a life-long supporter of the Republican party, which manifested its confidence in him by electing him, in 1896, to the office of prosecuting attorney, in which responsible position he rendered efificient service to his county for six years. In 1910 Mr. Reid was elected representative from Fayette county to the General Assembly, and was reelected, thus serving in the seventv-ninth and eightieth Assemblies. In that body his support was always given to such measures as promised to benefit the people aand he served with. ability on a number of important committees. Fraternally, Mr. Reid belongs to Jeffersonville Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and to Confidence Lodge, Knights of Pythitis, at Washington. C. H. Religiously, Mr. and Mrs. Reid are active members of the Presbyterian church, of which Mr. Reid is an elder, and to the support of which society he is a liberal contributor.
On June 9. 1896, Mr. Reid was united in marriage with OIlie Patton, wlio was born on a farm in Green township, this county, the daughter of George W. and Mary (Rowe) Patton, and to their union has been born a daughter. Ruth. ( George W. Patton was for many years a successful farmer in Green township, but in 1888 he was elected to the office of sheriff, in consequence of which he moved to Washington C. H. He served two terms as sheriff and afterwards was elected and served two terms as county treasurer. He died on March 4, 1901, his widow surviving liim. They were the parents of five children, Elmer E.. Minnie (Marchant), Metha J., Zella V. and Ollie (Mrs. Reid).
In every walk of life Mr. Reid has been recognized as a high-minded gentleman, of integrity and moral worth. While primarily interested in his own affairs, he has not been unmindful of the interests of others, contributing to the extent of his ability to the advancement of the public good and the welfare of his fellow men. Personally he is a man of pleasing address, sociably inclined, and enjoys a large circle of warm and loyal friends.
From History of Fayette County Ohio - Her People, Industries and Institutions by Frank M. Allen (1914, R. F. Bowen & Company, Inc.)