- ARCHIE REID. Among the list of comparatively young men who
are well and favorably known,
- Archie REID's name stands out prominently. Although only
thirty-six years of age, none can show a better record as a successful
business man, and a short history of his career will show the
growing generation what the possibilities are for a young man
with the requisite amount of energy and pluck.
- Archie REID is a Scotchman, born in Aberdeenshire, Scotland,
and is the seventh son of Archibald
- and Bessie REID. At the age of fourteen years he concluded
that there were plenty of boys at home without him. He was desirous
of coming to America, and although he had received only a very
limited education in the common schools and had but a slight
knowledge of mercantile pursuits, he set out alone for the United
States to try his fortune, landing at Milton, Wis. In 1868, he
went to work on a farm, among his duties being the milking of
ten cows night and morning. After a time he obtained a position
in the dry goods store of Robert GEDDES with whom he remained
for some time. As a result of this position and others which
he held (at one time being in Canada) he saved from his earnings
the modest sum of $900, and in 1878 he invested his savings in
a stock of dry goods. From this small beginning he rapidly rose
to what he is today - one of the most popular and substantial
business men of the county, with a credit among the leading houses
that is not often acquired by old-time dealers. His present location
is in Carpenter's new block on Milwaukee street bridge, the large
double store being taxed to its utmost capacity. In addition
to this store, Mr. REID is a partner in a similar one at Rockford,
Ill, being associated with Mr. Dan DRAIN, under the firm name
of REID & DRAIN. Still another interest is that which he
has with two of his brothers in the importing of British horses
and Polled Angus cattle, their stock consisting of upwards of
100 head, being kept at their barn in the city of Janesville,
and at their farms, one just outside the city limits and the
other located at Cresco, Iowa.
- In 1885 the subject of this sketch was united in marriage
to Miss Hattie LEONARD, daughter of
- Mr. and Mrs. Jacob LEONARD of Charles City, Iowa. The result
of this union was one child, a boy, Archie. Mrs. REID did not
long survive the birth of her child. Her death occurred October
29, 1887.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 576.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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