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 AMUEL A. REEL, physician and surgeon, of Oakland, has been established there for the past twenty years, during which time he has built up a good practice and numbers among his friends and patrons the best residents of Coles County. Dr. Reel is a native of Gibson County, Ind.. born May 3, 1829, and is the son of Henry and Catherine (Neely) Reel, natives of Kentucky, the former born forty miles south of Louisville, Feb. 14, 1793. The paternal grand-parents of our subject were John and Catherine (Stooky) Reel, natives of New York State, where, after serving as a soldier in the Revolutionary War seven years, John Reel finally located, and carried on farming the balance of his life. The maternal grandfather, who was a native of Virginia, also served on the side of the Colonists during their struggle for liberty, as a commissioned officer. He was under the immediate command of Gens. Wash- ington and Marion. Both grandfathers died in about 1808. Henry Reel, the father of our subject, departed this life in Gibson County, Ind., March 25, 1871. The wife and mother, who was born Dec. 13, 1794. was -the daughter of Joseph and Marietta (Johnson) Neely, natives of Virginia, who were numbered among the most highly respected residents of the farming community of their section of the State. She was married to Henry Reel, May 7, 1815, and departed this life Nov. 10. 1874. She became the mother of fourteen children. Their eldest son, John, was born Feb. 13, 1816; Eliza A., Aug. 15, 1817; Elizabeth. Feb. 13, 1819; Joseph, Oct. 31, 1820; David L., Aug. 31, 1822; Margaret A.,, May 6, 1824; Eleanor, Dec. 25, 1825; Martha J., Sept. 3, 1827 ; Samuel A., of our sketch, is already given; Thomas J., Jan. 2 t, 1831; Henry C., Oct. 2, 1832; Franklin M., Aug. 11, 1834; Catherine N.. Dec. 3, 1836; Nancy J., Sept. 17, 1838. Samuel Reel was reared on his father’s farm and attended school in the winter until 1851, although in the meantime having been employed as a teacher in Missouri, Arkansas, Illinois and Indiana. During the winter of 1850-51, he attended the medical school at Cincinnati, Ohio, and after completing his course of study proceeded westward, across the Mississippi into Iowa. He remained there, however, only about six months, and then returned to Cumberland County, Ill., thence to Gibson County, Ind., in 1858, where he employed his time in reading medicine until the outbreak of the late war. He then enlisted, in August, 1861, in the 58th Indiana Infantry, as private in Company K, and after two months was detailed as Hospital Steward. In crossing Barren River, near Bowling Green. Ky., he was wounded in the right side, and in September received his discharge on account of disability. From this he has never fully recovered, and on account of it receives a pension from the Government. Upon returning from the army Dr. Reel located in Douglas County, where he followed his profession until 1866, and then took up his residence at Oakland. He is the only eclectic physician in the town, and his labors have been attended with great success, enabling him to accumulate a fine property. This includes 540 acres of valuable land, in a high state of cultivation, and the family residence in Oakland is an imposing structure, and a model of comfort and convenience. The lady who has presided with grace and dignity over the domestic affairs of our subject, and was his earnest helper and sympathizer in his efforts to secure a good position in life, was formerly Miss Eliza Adams, who became his wife May 19, 1853. Mrs. R. is a native of this county, to which her parents came in the pioneer clays, and was born April 22, 1836, in Pleasant Grove Township. She is the daughter of John J. and Martha (Gammel) Adams, natives of Tennessee. Her father was a farmer by occupation, and during the progress of the Mexican War held the position of Second Lieutenant in the Federal ranks. Afterward he returned to his home in this county, where his death took place Dec. 27, 1878, after he had arrived at the advanced age of seventy-two years. He was also First Lieutenant in an Illinois cavalry regiment in the late war, serving three years, and by his bravery and attention to duty secured the approval of his superiors and the respect of his subordinates. The seven children of Mr. and Mrs. Reel were named respectively, Martha A., now deceased; John F., of the firm of Curtis & Reel, who are carrying on general merchandising at Oakland; Kate I., Lidie A.; Nancy C., who died when three months old ; Lina M. and William E. Dr. Reel from a youth was piously inclined, and was ordained a minister of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in October, 1867, and for four years occupied the pulpit in various places in this part of the State. He finally withdrew from the Presbytery, being fully occupied with his farming and his practice. He is a member in good standing of the Masonic fraternity, and also belongs to Oakland Lodge No. 545, I. O. O. F., in which he has been Treasurer and High Priest. He is also connected with the G. A. R. as Surgeon of the order. He occupies a high position among his professional brethren, and is a man whose judgment and integrity are unquestioned. |
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