Lawyers and Lawmakers of Kentucky, by H. Levin, editor, 1897. Published by Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago. Reprinted by Southern Historical Press. p. 203. Jefferson County. JONATHAN DUFF REED, of Louisville, was born in Frankfort, Kentucky, April 8, 1850, and his childhood days were passed on his father's farm near O'Bannon's Station, Jefferson county, Kentucky. At the age of twelve years he entered Forest Academy, conducted by the Rev. Burr Hamilton McCown. He also attended the public schools of Louisville, and in 1865 matriculated in the University of Virginia, where he continued his studies until 1867. The following six years were passed in Europe, studying and visiting the many points of interest on the continent. For one session he was a student in the University of Munich and for four years he pursued a course in the University of Edinburg, Scotland, where he was graduated with the degree of Master of Arts in 1873. The months of vacation were spent in travel over the countries of the old world, and thus, with a broad and comprehensive education gained at some of the best schools of the world, he returned to his native land to enter upon the duties that come to every individual as he leaves the days of childhood and youth behind and enters into manhood. Mr. Reed still further fitted himself for this life work by reading law in the University of Virginia, and in 1876 he was graduated at the Louisville Law School. His theoretical knowledge was then put to the practical test of business experience in St. Louis Missouri, where he practiced from 1878 until 1881. He is now a practitioner of the Louisville bar and is recognized as an able member of the legal fraternity. His well known erudition and his force of character command the highest respect of his brethren at the bar. On the 16th of October, 1888, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Reed and Miss Ella D. Ferguson, a daughter of John and Sarah J. (Moore) Ferguson, of Louisville. Her father, now deceased, was one of the most prominent business men of Louisville. Mr. and Mrs. Reed have three sons: John Ferguson, aged seven years; William Maxwell, five years of age; and Jonathan Duff, a lad of three summers. Contrary to the generally accepted opinion that the inheritor of wealth never possesses the business ability and energy of him who is forced to make his own way in life unaided, Mr. Reed is a busy man, indolence and idleness being utterly foreign to his nature. He has been interested in the establishment and promotion of many commercial and manufacturing enterprises, is a public-spirited, progressive citizen, deeply interested in the welfare of his city and state, and his labors in the line of advancement and improvement have been most effective and beneficent. He has never but once been a candidate for political office, the exception being in 1892, when he sought the Democratic nomination as delegate to the constitutional convention from the fifth (Louisville) district. He received a very complimentary vote, but was defeated. He was one of the organizers and most active members of the Citizens' party which nominated candidates in Louisville in 1892 and 1895. He was a member of the executive committee of this party, whose object was to eliminate politics and religion from local elections and to nominate only men of the highest integrity of character and loyalty for all local offices without regard to their political or religious affiliations. He is a man of strong convictions, fearless in sustaining his honest opinions and his honor in all matters of business and political life. Reed McCown Ferguson Moore = Frankfort-Franklin-KY VA MO Scotland Europe http://www.rootsweb.com/~kygenweb/kybiog/jefferson/reed.jd.txt