REID, STUART, one of the substantial farmers of Cass County, is operating 100 acres in township 18, range 10. He was born on his grandfather's farm, about one mile east of the farm he now occupies, November 11, 1855, a son of Duncan and Jane (Wilkie) Reid, the former born in 1808, and the latter November 20, 1818, both being natives of Perthshire, Scotland, where they married in 1839. In June, 1855, they came to the United States, and before locating at Beardstown, Ill., they had endured many hardships and with a fortitude this generation can scarcely comprehend, making a portion of the trip on foot. They spent a year in the vicinity of Virginia, Ill., and the father worked for James Cunningham for a year, following this he rented land from Robert Taylor, which was located two miles west of Mr. Reid's present farm. As soon as he had sufficient money saved up, Duncan Reid bought 120 acres of land which was then covered with brush and timber, but soon he had a space cleared on which to build a log cabin. With the assistance of his sons, the father then began to put his land under cultivation. Until his death he continued to carry on general farming and stock raising. He was a Democrat and served his community as a school director. His death occurred April 14, 1883. The mother survives, making her home with her son Stuart. These parents had the following children: William, who is of Cass County; Agnes, who died at the age of eight years in Scotland; Mary, who died at the age of five years in Scotland; Grace, who died at the age of two years in Scotland; James, who died in infancy in Scotland; Jean, who resides with his mother; Susan, who is teaching school in Chicago; Margaret, who is Mrs. A. R. Taylor of Virginia, Ill.; Stuart; and Duncan, who is of Bluff Springs, Ill.

Stuart Reid resided with his parents, attending the schools of his district, and when he became of age commenced working among the farmers. Within a year, however, he returned to the homestead where he has since remained, conducting the farm for his mother and owns forty acres adjoining on the east.

On March 15, 1894, Stuart Reid married Mrs. Mary (Caywood) McGee, born July 24, 1868, widow of Everett McGee, and daughter of John and Martha (Morrison) Caywood of Cass County. By her first marriage Mrs. Reid had one child, Maud E., now Mrs. Orel Jentry of Virginia, Ill., who has three children, Everett C., Ira K. and Clarence E. Mr. and Mrs. Reid have the following children: James E., Nellie E., Dewey E., Kenneth E., Glenn M., Stella G., and Mary S., all of whom are at home. Mr. Reid is affiliated with the Presbyterian church. He belongs to the Republican party and is active in public affairs in this connection. For some years he has been a member of Virginia Lodge, M.W.A. No. 588, and is popular in that organization. An honored member of the Reid household is the aged mother of Mr. Reid, who is a most remarkable lady, retaining at her advanced age all of her faculties and enjoying life like one who has barely passed her fiftieth year.