Clay Co., KS AHGP-Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington, Clay and Riley Counties-Margaret Read
Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington, Clay and Riley Counties Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1890
MARGARET READ, widow of Rev. William
Read, owns a beautiful home on North
Fifth street, at the corner of Webster
Street, Clay Center, Clay County, the residence
having been built by her husband a few
years before his death. She was born in Manchester,
England, May 30, 1834, and in the city of her
nativity was united in marriage to the gentleman
whose name she now bears. Her maiden name was
Martin, and the ceremony by which it was changed,
took place in Manchester Cathedral on June 14,
1857.
Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Read,
four of whom are still living. Sarah died Oct.
22, 1880, aged about sixteen years, and three died
quite young. The living are: Phoebe, now Mrs.
Ernest Pinkerton, of this city and the mother of
three children; Emma and Clara J., still at home;
and William Brooks, now at school. Mrs. Read is a
lady of fine character, and is highly spoken of by
all who know her.
William Read, now deceased, was born in Manchester,
England, Feb. 3, 1835, and was educated
in the Renshaw Street Academy of his native place.
He continued to reside in England until the close
of the last war in the United States, being for
some time engaged in the local ministry of the
Methodist Episcopal Church. On coming to America
he first located at Boston, where he worked in
S. D. Smith's organ factory. Subsequently, coming
farther West, he studied for the ministry at Albion,
(Mich.) University. After his ordination as
minister of the Baptist Church, his first pastorate
was at Dowagiac, Mich. Following this came
charges at Kaneville, Ill.; Reading, Mich.; Amboy,
Mich.; and Pioneer, Ohio, after which Mr. Read
came to Clay Center as pastor for the First Baptist
Church of this place. He served in this capacity
until 1880, when, after the death of his
mother, he went to Manchester, England, to receive
money due him. He remained in his native land
seven months, visiting his friends and the scenes
of his boyhood, after which he returned to America
and retired from the continuous work of the
ministry, serving, however, as a supply until the
time of his fatal illness. He erected the fine residence
which his widow now occupies, and also secured
the ownership of the People's National Bank
block. His death took place March 3, 1888, he being
aged fifty-three years.
Mr. Read was an educated and able expounder of
the truths of the Gospel, and having been blessed
with such means as enabled him give up the more
arduous duties which devolve upon a pastor, there
was left for his occupancy a large field of usefulness
in the service of humanity and the Master. His
death, in the prime of life, was an abrupt interruption
to his useful career, and a sad bereavement
to his sorrowing wife and family.