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25. Pettis Arlindo[5] Reid (Andrew Kirkpatrick "Andy", 47) (A26). Born, 25 Jul 1855, in nr. New Paris, Preble, OH[24]. Died, 13 Jun 1920, in Richmond, Wayne Co., IN[25]. Extra 4 in bur. Earlham Cem, Wayne Co., IN. Census: 1900, in Richmond, Wayne Co., IN, 1920. Census: 1880, in Jackson Twp., Preble Co., OH. Census: 1860, in New Paris, Preble Co., OH. Occupation: fencing manuf.

left: 1893 Wayne Co. Atlas

Pettis left 3 volumes of journal entries during the time he was teaching school in Preble County.

1874

1875

1876

The 1880 census listed him as a farmer, living with Emma, Walter, and his brother James Reid, a "servant." The 1900 census showed him living in a rented house on Richmond Ave. with his wife and 3 children. He was a "fence manufacturer." In 1920, Pettis and Emma lived on Main St., and was listed as "Secretary, Fence Company." /p>

Palladium-Item, (Aug 2, Aug 22, 1943): "Pettis A. Reid was a member of the first State Board of Education, the inventor of a machine for the manufacture of picket fencing, and one of the outstanding men of his day.
"Reid was born near Pleasant Hill Church, north of New Paris, Ohio, July 25, 1855...Reid received his grammar school education in the little red school house called White Pressure, near his home. He attended Richmond High School, where he excelled in mathematics and was offered a position in that subject. He was, however, unable to accept that offer, for he had no knowledge of Latin, which was then required of every high school teacher.
"He later accepted a position as teacher in the country school at West Florence, Ohio, one of his pupils being Emma Kelley, whom he later married. The lived on the old Windsor farm north of West Florence for a few years. It was in the barn on this farm that Reid, being of an inventive mind, during his odd moments designed and built a machine which made picket fencing.
"It was an excited but poor young man who drove to Richmond to interview his cousin, Daniel G. Reid, whom he invited home with him to watch this machine operate. Daniel Reid urged Pettis to move to Richmond and offered his services and financial aid in organizing a company for the purpose of manufacturing farm fencing. This concern was named the Elliot and Reid Fence company, and its officers were Daniel G. Reid, president, and Pettis A. Reid, secretary-treasurer. Isaac Elliot was a stockholder. This first factory was situated north of the railroad just off Tenth Street, but this location soon became too small for the growing business and a new factory building was constructed at West Fourth and Chestnut streets, where it continued to operate for many years.
"Gradually, Pettis Reid purchased all the stock owned by Daniel Reid, Isaac Elliot and others, and became sole owner of the Elliot and Reid Fence Company. This company made the well known wire fencing called "Royal" fence which was of such excellence that the American Steel and Wire company made a long-term contract for the entire output of this so-called "Royal" fence, with the privilege of buying the plant."
"Pettis Reid was interested in the civic affairs of Richmond. He was one of the trustees of the YMCA at the time of his death. He served on the Board of Electric Light Commissioners which had charge of the plant from August 1902 until May 1905, when the Board of Public Works took over. Reid was also on the committee that recommended that the city buy the light plant of the Richmond Light, Heat, and Power Company. He was president of the Board of Police Commissioners for a time. He was treasurer of the school board for several years preceding his death. He served for three years as a member of the first State Board of Education; he was appointed in 1918 by Gov. Samuel Ralston. A choir leader of the Christian Church for over 30 years, Reid was also for several years an elder of the church. He ran for mayor on the Democratic ticket against Mayor W.W. Zimmerman, but was defeated.
"As a hobby, Mr. Reid purchased, in 1903, his wife's old home farm, located on the Boston-Eaton pike. Up to the present time, six generations of the family have lived on this farm, including Mr. and Mrs. W.B. Simmons and their daughter, who live there now."

Promissory Note: June 26, 1886, The Second National Bank of Richmond, Ind.#45660 $25.00 On Demand, Due "58", Pettis A. Reid; #46419 Sept. 4, 1886, due 3/87 On Demand $375.00, Pettis A. Reid.
The First National Bank Richmond, Ind. Feb 15, 1887: $15.00 deposited by Pet Reid for Mrs. E. Hogan.

Promissory Note: "Richmond, Ind., April 6, 1901, On demand we promise to pay The Second Nationsl Bank of Richmond, Ind. Five Thousand & No/100 DOLLARS. No. 20537 P.A. Reid [signed], The Elliot and Reid Co., Secy and Treas [Stamp]. On back: "Int. paid in full to July 1, 1901" "Int. paid in full to Dec 21st 01"

A warranty deed: 10 Oct 1910, between Pettis A. Reid and heirs of James and Hannah Kelley for $22,000, parts of sec 33 T8 R1E, Jackson Twp., Preble Co., OH, being all of E1/2 NW1/4 sec. 33, also part of NE 1/4 sec. 33 (38.8 acres), except 1.20 acres conveyed from James and Hannah Kelley to Wm. D. Frezee; also parts of SE and SW 1/4s of section 33 excepting 6 acre tract in SE 1/4 conveyed by James Kelley to Matilda Paddack (152.2 acres); also 1.2 acres conveyed from Wm. D. Frazee to James Kelley in 1889 for a roadway.
Altogether 272.2 acres "more or less."
A deed: dated 4 Oct 1910, from Matilda Paddack to Pettis A. Reid, Preble Co., OH part of SE 1/4 sec. 33 T8 R1E (6 acres) which had been conveyed from James and Hannah Kelley to Matilda Paddack in 1896, for $800. A deed: 21 Dec 1910, from F.C. and Emma Decker to Pettis A. Reid, for $6853.50, part os SE 1/4 sec. 33 T8 R1E. Also a deed dated same, all of lot #5 and one rod off the west side of lot #6, 12 feet off the E. side of lot #4, and a small plot of land out of the N.E. corner of lot 4 "the ground covered by the ice house, now standing thereon," for $4000. Also a deed dated same, parts of lots 3 and 4, West Florence, Ohio. for $1146.50.

Julie Smith: "By 1910 Mr. Reid had acquired 385 acres.
"It was one of the first farms to use Delco Batteries to generate electricity to milk cows. Visitors came from all over the US to see how electric milkers were used. Around 50 cows were milked. He had a large herd of Register (I think) Gernsey Cattle. Some of the best around at that time. He would bring the men from the Fence Factory down to Put up the Hay in the summer time to feed the cattle all winter.. That was a great treat for the men to come to the Country..
"Before Jackson and Dixon Twps. had a gym, the top of the large barn was used to play basketball. It was one of the longest barns in Preble County.
"The house was struck by lightening in the summer of 1933 and smoldered for months and caught fire. A spiral stairway was removed. Each room was trimmed in a different type of wood."

Postcard Found in The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson, postmarked Portland Oregon Apr 6, 1911:

"Mr and Mrs Pettis Reid/ Richmond/ Ind/ c/o Wayne Flats/ Apr 5 11 Portland Ore./ Dear Uncle & Aunt/ Why don't you folks ever write back there. Haven't heard from you in so long. We are all well and dandy. We just had our supper/ Lovingly Gladys" Reverse: This is the Easter Message/ Arise with the risen Lord!/ Believe! Believe! and thou shalt achieve/ The Promise of the word!

A letter found between pages of the first volume: The Bobbs Merrill Company Publishers/Indianapolis "November 28, 1913./ Hon. Pettis A. Reid/ Richmond, Indiana/ Dear Mr. Reid: Without asking your consent I have sent you with our compliments a complete set of the new biographical addition of Riley Poetry. We are sending to men prominent in various departments of activity this FIRST EDITION, which of course, will be more and more treasured as years go by.
"I am sure you will understand the spirit in which it is given and that it implies not the least obligation on your part. It was Mr. Riley's wish that this first issue go to his Indiana friends and admirers as a gift. I know of no one who as a successful man of affairs and as a member of the board at the head of our great school system who better fits Mr. RIley's description of the persons he wishes to receive these books than you. So please accept them along with my kind personal regards./ Respectfully,/ John R. Carr [signature]/ JCR-R"

Pettis died of "Carcinoma of liver."

According to his obituary, he moved to Richmond in 1888. "He was an active member of the First Christian Church, taking part in many of its activities and being especially interested in music. He...was instrumental in bringing about of various recitals and concerts both in the church and elsewhere in the city." It also said, "His farm, east of Boston, is one of the finest and best equipped dairy farms in this section of the country. He also owned another large farm, north of Richmond, on which stock of a high quality has been raised." (Palladium June 14, 1920)

He married Emma Kelley (26) (A27), 14 Nov 1878, in Preble, OH. Children:

Mabel Reid

Walter Reid is in the factory photo at the right in the suit.

i. Walter Verling[4] Reid[26]. Born, 26 Oct 1879, in Jackson Twp., Preble Co., OH[27]. Died, 10 May 1960, in bur. Earlham Cem, Wayne Co., IN[25]. Census: 1900, in Richmond, Wayne Co., IN. Census: 1889, in Jackson Twp., Preble Co., OH. Census: 1920, in Richmond, Wayne Co., IN. Occupation: Fence Manufacturer. He married Mary Alice Kinsey, daughter of Thomas Kinsey, 11 Nov 1903, in Wayne Co., IN[1].

ii. Mabel Caroline Reid. Born, 15 Aug 1881, in Eaton, Preble Co., IN[7]. Died, 28 Apr 1971, in Eaton, Preble Co., OH. Census: 1900, in Richmond, Wayne Co., IN. She married Wallace Boys Simmons, 30 Apr 1907, in Wayne Co., IN[1].

12 iii. Hazel Bertha Reid.