June 23, 1916

Joseph O. Reed was born in Funkstown, Maryland, January 1, 1837. In February of 1862, he was united in marriage to Ellen Dusang. Eight children were born to this home, three of whom, Ivan, Charley and Thomas, with the mother, have preceded Mr. Reed in death.
Mr. Reed came to Polo in 1891 where he has since resided, making his home for the most part with Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Carpenter. He was united with the Lutheran Church of Polo on December 29, 1894, under the pastorate of Rev. Mauss and was an interested and regular attendant.

He passed away at the home of his son in Dixon on June 23rd, aged 79 years, 5 months and 23 days, and leaving to mourn his loss, two sons and three daughters; Calvin Reed and Mrs. Alice Troxell of Hagerstown, Maryland; Mrs Cora Hurst of Canyon City, Colorado; Mrs. Madilon Adkinson of Florence, Colorado; and Kirby Joseph Reed of Dixon, Illinois. Mr. Reed will be missed by a host of friends in this city, who knew him almost entirely by the name of "Dad Reed." He was of a jovial disposition and had a cheery word for everybody.

The body was brought to this city and services were held Sunday afternoon at the Lutheran Church, conducted by Rev. F. M. Keller. Burial took place in Fairmount Cemetery.

January 26, 1899

Mrs. Mary Reed, wife of Joseph Reed, formerly of Funkstown, died at Polo, Illinois, Thursday, January 26th, aged sixty years. She was the mother of Calvin L. Reed, East Antietam Street; Mrs Jenorus Troxell, Funkstown; Cora, in Polo; Madelon, at home with her father; sons, Calvin L., this city, Kirby J. and Thomas M., both of Polo; Ivan, of Omaha, Nebraska. Her maiden name was Mary Ellen Dusang, and her mother Mrs. Elizabeth Dusang, lives at Funkstown, as does her sister, Mrs. Polk Tritch; brother Joseph, in the west; George, at Bissell.

Saturday, January 28, 1899 - Ogle County Press

After an illness of less than a week, with pneumonia, Mrs. Mary Ellen, wife of Joseph O. Reed, died Thursday afternoon, January 26th.
The funeral will be held at 2:30 p. m. tomorrow, at the Lutheran Church, Dr. Holmes Dysinger officiating.
Mary Ellen Dusang was born at Funkstown, Md., January 21, 1840. February 20, 1862, she was united in marriage with Joseph O. Reed. Seven children were born to them, viz: Calvin of Hagerstown, Md., Mrs Alice Troxell of Funkstown, Md., Ivan of Omaha, Neb. and Mrs. Cora Hurst, Kirby, Thomas and Madilon, all of Polo.

In 1889, Mr. Reed and family moved to Nebraska, and two years later they made Polo their home. Mr. Reed and family will have the sympathy of all who knew them in their sad bereavement.

Submitted by Jay Troxell

Return to Ogle Co. Genealogy Site