REED, David 1799-1880

REED, ALLEN, TOPLIFF

Posted By: S. Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 6/10/2026 at 16:01:18

David Reed, aged 81, who died at Decorah on the 15th, was in the early days a noted man in Winneshiek Co. He came to Iowa in 1848, settled in that county, and at the first election held Aug 4, 1851 was chosen county judge, holding the office 4 years.

During that time the location of the county seat was mooted - mooted with an intensity of interest, and an earnestness of individual effort, such as few latter day political struggles have shown.

Judge Reed was not an educated man, but he had strong sense, and plenty of backbone. In the struggle he sided with Decorah, and it was his fiat that settled the question. After the stormy days of his judgeship had passed he retired to his farm, and became a humble citizen. Investments made in Decorah in flush times became unprofitable after the panic of 1857, and he was impoverished.

Old age too was creeping on, and his latter years were of weakness and sometimes want. Those who knew him only in the latter time were not acquainted with the man of nerve and action who ruled in 1851.

The remains were taken to Postville, for burial beside his wife.
~Lansing Mirror, Friday, March 26, 1880; pg 3

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The Decorah Republican, March 18, 1880 printed the same obit as above, but included the following information:
...died at the residence of D.A. Reed in Decorah
...born in Chillicothe, Ohio where he resided until past middle age
... married in 1829 to Mary Allen
... reared a family of 7 children, six still living (as of 1880)
...settled in SE quarter of section 25, Bloomfield twp., Winneshiek co.

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Notes: The 1913 biography of Ray F. Topliff, who married Rachel E. Reed, d/o David & Mary (Allen) Reed, gives the dates of David & Mary. The biography of John N. Topliff also names David & Mary, also giving some of their history. The Postville cemetery does not record either David or Mary being buried there. The only reference being the above obituary.

https://iagenweb.org/allamakee/Bios13/topliff_r.htm
https://iagenweb.org/boards/allamakee/biographies/index.cgi?read=900413