REED-Sampson - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

S(ampson) REED, banker, Covington was born in Fleming Co KY Feb 1826. He is the son of Stephen and Eliza Castleton Reed, the former a native of Loudon Co VA and latter born in Ky. The name of Reed is of Scottish origin and both the grandafthers of the subject of this sketch were patriots and soldiers in the Revolutionary War. Stephen Reed was one of the 1st settlers of Fountain Co. He settled on Coal Creek about two miles SE of where the village of Veedersburg now stands. He came to the county with more property than the average pioneer, and consequently soon became quite a prominent member of the community. The subject of this sketch never attended school but 32 days, and was 18 before he ever saw a pair of boots. He used often to go to Chicago to haul wheat to market and bought leather, salt and other necessaries not to be bought in Fountain Co. Though dependent upon his own resources, by industry and economy he has grown to a position of wealth and influence. He followed farming for many years and still owns a farm of 320 acres a part of which is the old homestead. He is now associated with Mr. James G. Hardy in the banking and note broking business. He first began work for Mr. Hardy in 1849 and has had business relations with him most of the time since. May 7, 1857, he was married to Miss Elizabeth F. Brant, whose people came to Fountain County in 1830.

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Sampson REED is the Cashier of the Citizens State Bank, Covington Indiana, which is one of the most popular, strong and flourishing financial institutions of the county. The bank was established under the name of J.G. Hardy & Company with Mr. Reed as President but these gentlement ceased operation April 1886 and the bank became known as the Citizen's Bank with Mr. Reed as president. On the 20th of May 1891, it was organized as the Citizens State Bank, with a paid-up capital stock of $40,000. Its directors are HH Dochterman, Samuel Clark, County Treasurer and Ora clark. All the facilities consistent with sound and conservative banking are extended to customers, and the institution is an appreciated factor of business life in Fountain County. The bank has been doing business under the most favorable auspices, and has the cordial indorsement of leading firms and corporations throughout this section who have opened accounts with it. Active business men are pleased with the methods and policy of the instituion, and under the sound and conservative management of President William H. Young and associates, it is prepared to extend every facility consistent with legitimate banking to its customers. The building in which the business is carried on was erected by Mr. Reed in Sept. 1888. It is a model of convenience and good taste, is well appointed throughout and is a credit to the town. Cashier Reed is a recognized authority in banking and finance, a vigorous exponent of the soundest principles governing the same, and unde rhis guidance the bank has had an ever widening career of usefulness and prosperity. His judgment is exceptionally sound, and he is at all times true to his convictions, his reasons for them being clear and well defined. In this institution the public has a most valuable additon to its financial facilities, the bank filling al ong-felt want and reflecting the highest credit upon the enterprise of its officers, directors and stockholders. Sampson Reed was born in Fleming County KY Feb 5, 1826, a son of Stephen and Elizabeth Castleman Reed, the former of whom was born in Loudoun Co VA and [was]later in Ky. The maternal grandfather was a native of Clark Co VA but in the fall of 1826 became a resident of Fountain Co Ind and entered land in the vicinity of Veedersburg where he died in 1866, his wife's death occured in 1842. Sampson Reed assisted his father on the home farm until 23 then began the fight the battle of life for himself. On the 7th of May 1857 Mr. Reed was united in marriage to Elizabeth F. Brant of Wayentown, after which he settled near Shawnee Mound in Tippecanoe County, where he continued to make his home until 1868, when he removed to Newtown. In the spring of 1870 Covington became the scene of his operations. On first starting out for himself he worked by the month on a threshing-machine and in a sawmill, after which he tilled the soil on his mother'in-law's land until his removal to Tippecanoe County. From that time until he engaged in the banking business, he not only tilled the soil but also handled stock and farm property and in each of these occupations, showed the discriminating judgment and sound good sense that have since characterized his business transactions. Mr. Reed has always been a Democrat but has never asked for office at the hands of his party, for he realize that to conduct his affairs as they should be conducted, required his undivided attention and the result has shown the wisdom of his views. He is an old pro-slavery Democrat of pronounced type. His wife is a membe rof the Methodist Episcopal church and is well known for her earnest christian character, her generosity, and faithfulness to her friends. Mr. and mrs. Reed have no children of their own but they have reared one child from infancy, Mary Ralston, who is now the wife of Lincoln Gardner of Covington.