From: A Twentieth Century History of Allegan County, Michigan

By Henry F. ThomasPublished 1907, Lewis Publishing Co.

ROGER E. REED.—The spirit of progress which has been a dominant factor in the settlement and development of Michigan finds a worthy representative in Roger E. Reed, who is living in the village of Saugatuck. Born in Canada, his natal day was June 4, 1868, and in 1870 his parents came to Allegan county, settling in Saugatuck. He is a son of Samuel C. and A. B. (Culver) Reed, who were likewise natives of Canada, the former born in March, 1848. In 1870 they came to Saugatuck, since which time the father has followed his trade of blacksmithing in the village.

He has likewise extended the field of his activity by dealing in agricultural implements, buggies, wagons and harness, and is accounted one of the alert and enterprising residents of the town. His fellow citizens, recognizing his ability and worth, have conferred upon him various positions of public honor and trust. He served for two years as president of the village and trustee for five years, and whether in office or out of it his co-operation can always be counted upon to further any movement that he deems will prove of benefit to the general public. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, with which they have been connected for twenty-three years, and in which Mr. Reed has served as steward and trustee. He likewise belongs to Saugatuck Lodge No. 328, F. & A. M., of which he is the present secretary. The family numbers two sons, Roger E. and David S., and the father was also one of two sons, his brother being David A.Reed. They were the children of Robert and Mary Reed, the former of Irish parentage and the latter of English descent.

Reared and educated in the village of Saugatuck, Roger E. Reed learned the blacksmith's trade under the direction of his father, who was a skilled workman, so that he soon became an expert at the anvil. He followed that pursuit for five years but at length abandoned the forge, and in 1885 became identified with E. E. Weed & Co., proprietors of a fruit package factory. He spent eighteen .years in that establishment and for five years of the time was a member of the firm. During these latter years he invented and perfected a machine, on which bushel and half bushel baskets were made. These machines were patented in 1903, at about the time that Mr. Reed severed his connection with the company and took up his present line of business. He is conducting one of the largest livery stables in the county and has recently erected a new and commodious cement building for this purpose, thirty-six by one hundred feet.

He keeps twenty-four horses, high spirited animals which are in good condition, and he has thirty-two vehicles of various styles and uses, including some of the most modern design. His livery barn receives a liberal patronage, owing to his reasonable prices and his earnest desire to please his customers. He is likewise identified with mercantile interests of the village, and since 1903 he has conducted the transfer line. As a merchant he deals in various commodities, including coal, wood, hay, straw, salt, roofing, lime, cement, sewer pipe and wood fiber plaster, for which he finds a ready and profitable sale.

October 31, 1898, Mr. Reed was happily married to Miss Josephine Simonson, a daughter of Simon and Marie Simonson, and a native of Saugatuck, where her entire life has been passed. They now have an interesting little daughter, Kari N. Mr. Reed served as deputy marshal of the village of Saugatuck for some time but prefers to concentrate his energies upon his business interests, which are growing in volume and importance. He is a worthy member of Saugatuck Lodge No. 328, F. & A. M., and is well known in the village and this part of the county, where almost his entire life has been passed, and that his staunchest friends are among those who have known him from his boyhood is an indication that his life record has been at all times commendable, displaying sterling traits of manhood.