James Reed
James Reed, farmer, P. O. Deerfield, was born in Brooke County, W. Va., in 1809, a grandson of Anthony Middlesworth, a Hollander by birth, and son of William and Mary (Middlesworth) Reed, the former born in the State of Delaware August 23, 1778; the latter a native of West Virginia. They had a family of twelve children, of whom eight are still living. The family were among the pioneers of this county of 1812, and settled two and a half miles south of the center of Deerfield Township. William Reed here cleared eighty or ninety acres of land and passed the remainder of his life, attaining the ripe age of eighty-five years. Our subject was brought up on the farm, receiving the limited education obtainable in that early day. Being reared in the wilderness he early learned to swing the ax and to toil with his hands. At the age of twenty-One he began the struggle of life for himself, and by perseverance, industry and frugality he accumulated a fine estate, comprising over 290 acres of land. He was married September 14, 1852, to Miss Rebecca A. McMillen. The family are connected with the Presbvterian Church.
From History of Portage County, Ohio, Warner, Beers & Co., Chicago, 1885