Biographical Sketches
HOMER REED
There is no business man in Kansas City that stands higher in the esteem of his fellow townsmen that Mr. Reed, who is now serving in the capacity of postmaster. A man of strong convictions, he is positive in his character and of incorruptible integrity. A useful, intelligent citizen, he justly takes rank among Missouri's leading and representative men and has been an important factor in the business interests of Kansas City. His career has by no means been an uninterrupted era of prosperity. He has had many difficulties to overcome and in his early years received few advantages, and after his father's death was largely thrown upon his own resources.
Mr. Reed was a native of Jackson county, Michigan. He was born on the 26th of August, 1847, and is the only son of Thomas H. and Mary (Wilcox) Reed, natives of New York. The family from which he descended was early founded in the Empire state, where was established in pioneer days a colony which located what was known as the Reed's farm. James Reed was a captain in the French and Indian war, and served as quartermaster in the revolutionary war. The father of our subject was a farmer by occupation, and in 1840 came to the west, taking up his residence in Jackson county, Michigan, where he built a log cabin, in which Kansas City's present postmaster first opened his eyes to the light of day. The father soon afterward embarked in the mercantile business at Leslie, which he carried on continuously until his death, which occurred in 1866. In this enterprise he achieved moderate success and his entire attention was devoted to his business interests. His wife died in 1893.
Mr. Reed of this review was reared in the rural districts of Michigan, taking advantage of such opportunities as came in his way; but these were somewhat meager. He attended a country school, preparing himself for college as well as he could, and in 1864 entered the University of Michigan. He was, however, unable to pursue a continuous course. On his father's death he was obliged to lay aside his text-books and care for the business interests of his mother. Subsequently he re-entered school and was graduated with the class of 1872. He then studied law for a year, and in 1873 came to Kansas City and was admitted to the bar, where he practiced his profession, very successfully, for some time. He was and is a close student and possesses the keen discernment, analytical mind and sound judgment which insure success to a member of the bar. While practicing his business lay largely in the direction of real-estate law, and he invested considerable sums of money for both eastern and western capitalists in real estate. This led to a familiarity with the real-estate market, and from time to time Mr. Reed made judicious investments and now owns and controls extensive property interests in Kansas City. He has been very successful in his business endeavors and has accumulated a competence.
Mr. Reed has taken an active part in politics, though never seeking office. In May, 1894, he was appointed to the position which he now fills, and has discharged his duties with a promptness and fidelity that has won him high commendation. He is connected with various benevolent, charitable, literary and social organizations. He was a charter member of the Humane Society, and is a member of the Kansas City Benevolent Trust association, and the Children's Free hospital. He is a man of broad sympathies and quick to respond to a story of distress or need.
In 1869 Mr. Reed was united in marriage with Miss Laura Coates, daughter of the late Colonel Kersey Coates. Since the latter's death, Mr. Reed has been associated with J. L. and A. C. Coates in the management of the extensive property interests of the estate, including the erection of the new Coates house, one of the most renowned hotels of the West. He has always been an officer of the Coates House Management Company, the Coates Estate Hotel Company, and the Coates Opera House Company, and is also president of the Forest Hill Cemetery, entirely directing and controlling its policy.
This page was last updated August 2, 2006.