Title
FRANK GEORGE REED
Creator
Mary Louise Reed Shelby
Coverage
TOWNSHIP 139N RANGE 96W
Text
FRANK GEORGE REED
Frank George Reed was one of the three Reed Brothers who were associated with department stores for almost 40 years in Dickinson and surrounding towns of North Dakota.
Frank came to Dickinson Jan. 1, l907 to join in a partnership with his brothers. Jay and Harlan Reed. He had entered the merchandising field in Rochester, Minn. Working also in Long Prairie, Owatonna, and Northfield. Jay Reed had come from Minneapolis, 1900, and had worked for the Currie and Cartwright and the Roquette Bros. stores before he decided to go into business for himself. His brother, Harlan, of Long Prairie, Minn. Joined him in opening the first Reed Brothers store, 1903. By the time Frank joined his brothers their merchandise establishment had become a familiar and trusted part of the growing town.
Frank Reed was born Aug. 12, 1868 at Rochester, Minn. His parents were William W. Reed and Evelina Langton. There were four children: Lavina, who died at 31 in 1897, Frank, Harlan and Jay. Their grandfather, Robert Reed had come to America from Antrim County, Ireland and the grandmother, Mary Wright, was from Lincolnshire, England.
Frank Reed married Agnes Arnot Hall in Rochester, Minn. Aug. 29, 1900 and at that time was a traveling salesman for Wyman, Partridge Co. of Minneapolis. A daughter, Edith Genevieve was born in 1904 but died in 1908. Another daughter, Mary Louise Reed was born Feb. 8, 1910. She was married to Gerald R. Shelby and now lives in Carson City, Nev.
The Reed Brothers store was always known for its fine quality merchandise and courteous, friendly management. The business expanded into several towns in that area: Manning from 1911 to 1924; Killdeer from 1914-1937; Grassy Butte from 1916-1926: New England from 1934-1938; Crosby from 1935-1937; New Salem from 1937-1940 and Rugby from 1938-1940. During the later years of this expansion Robert Reed, son of Jay Reed, had come into the firm. Reed Bros. closed its stores, 1941.
1923, Frank Reed suffered a paralytic stroke from which he never fully recovered. He lived eight and one-half more years and passed away Nov. 6, 1931. He and his wife, Agnes and daughter, Edith are buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Rochester, Minn.
Frank Reed was a friendly, well-liked and charming person. Before his illness confined him to his home he was an active member of the Rotary Club and for several years served as a deacon in the Congregational Church. At one time he acted for years as superintendent of the Sunday School in the church.
All three Reed families were a great force in the educational, welfare and social history of Dickinson since their arrival. The community can be proud of early leaders like Frank, Harlan and Jay Reed.
By Mary Louise Reed Shelby
Frank George Reed was one of the three Reed Brothers who were associated with department stores for almost 40 years in Dickinson and surrounding towns of North Dakota.
Frank came to Dickinson Jan. 1, l907 to join in a partnership with his brothers. Jay and Harlan Reed. He had entered the merchandising field in Rochester, Minn. Working also in Long Prairie, Owatonna, and Northfield. Jay Reed had come from Minneapolis, 1900, and had worked for the Currie and Cartwright and the Roquette Bros. stores before he decided to go into business for himself. His brother, Harlan, of Long Prairie, Minn. Joined him in opening the first Reed Brothers store, 1903. By the time Frank joined his brothers their merchandise establishment had become a familiar and trusted part of the growing town.
Frank Reed was born Aug. 12, 1868 at Rochester, Minn. His parents were William W. Reed and Evelina Langton. There were four children: Lavina, who died at 31 in 1897, Frank, Harlan and Jay. Their grandfather, Robert Reed had come to America from Antrim County, Ireland and the grandmother, Mary Wright, was from Lincolnshire, England.
Frank Reed married Agnes Arnot Hall in Rochester, Minn. Aug. 29, 1900 and at that time was a traveling salesman for Wyman, Partridge Co. of Minneapolis. A daughter, Edith Genevieve was born in 1904 but died in 1908. Another daughter, Mary Louise Reed was born Feb. 8, 1910. She was married to Gerald R. Shelby and now lives in Carson City, Nev.
The Reed Brothers store was always known for its fine quality merchandise and courteous, friendly management. The business expanded into several towns in that area: Manning from 1911 to 1924; Killdeer from 1914-1937; Grassy Butte from 1916-1926: New England from 1934-1938; Crosby from 1935-1937; New Salem from 1937-1940 and Rugby from 1938-1940. During the later years of this expansion Robert Reed, son of Jay Reed, had come into the firm. Reed Bros. closed its stores, 1941.
1923, Frank Reed suffered a paralytic stroke from which he never fully recovered. He lived eight and one-half more years and passed away Nov. 6, 1931. He and his wife, Agnes and daughter, Edith are buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Rochester, Minn.
Frank Reed was a friendly, well-liked and charming person. Before his illness confined him to his home he was an active member of the Rotary Club and for several years served as a deacon in the Congregational Church. At one time he acted for years as superintendent of the Sunday School in the church.
All three Reed families were a great force in the educational, welfare and social history of Dickinson since their arrival. The community can be proud of early leaders like Frank, Harlan and Jay Reed.
By Mary Louise Reed Shelby