FRED L. REED was born at Boston, Massachusetts, April 11, 1847, where he attended school and was engaged in the wholesale boot and shoe trade until February, 1865. He then went to Chicago and remained in the wholesale boot and shoe trade four or five years, and traveled for the house over the States of Illinois and Iowa. He then became a member of the Chicago Board of Trade, in 1870. He went in the distillery business in Chicago, but held his membership in the Board of Trade; he was engaged some four years in the distillery business, when he was employed in the register department of the Chicago post office until December, 1880; and January 11, 1881, was appointed to his present position as chief corporation clerk in the office of the Secretary of State, in Springfield, Illinois. He was married to Miss Kate M. Miller, January 11, 1870; she was born in Buffalo, New York, and is a daughter of Hon. H. B. Miller, born at Lebanon, Pennsylvania; he held the office of Treasurer of Cook county, Illinois, and was elected a Representative to the legislature of New York State two terms; he is at present President of the Riverton, Illinois, Alcohol Works; in politics he is a Republican, and a strong supporter of that party; his wife, Estey (Bowman) Miller, was born in Ohio; she is a member of the Baptist church; she and husband reside at Riverton, Illinois. The father of Frederick M. Reed, William C. Reed, was born in Randolph, Massachusetts; he is of English descent; he has for many years been engaged in an exclusive provision and packing business at Chicago, Illinois, two or three years, and one year at Milwaukee, Wisconsin; he is a member of the Baptist church, and in politics he is a Republican, and a strong supporter of that party; he is still living in Boston, Massachusetts; his wife, Lydia Thompson, was born in Thomaston, Massachusetts; she was the mother of three children, all living, viz: William C. Reed, Jr., who resides at Boston, Massachusetts; Mrs. Fannie Walker, also of Boston, and the subject of this sketch, Mr. Frederick L. Reed, who in politics is a Republican, and a strong supporter of that party; cast his first vote for U. S. Grant, for President of the United States. Mr. Reed and wife are both members of the Baptist church.