Surnames: REED MARSH BENEDICT HUCKSTEAD BRUCE JOHNSON

----Source: CLARK COUNTY REPUBLICAN & PRESS (Neillsville, Wis.) 10/19/1911

Reed, Lucretia B. (15 Jun 1836 - 10 Oct 1911)

Mrs. Lucretia B. Reed died at her home on Pleasant Ridge in the town of Grant, Clark County, Tuesday, Oct. 10, 1911. While her health had not been good for several years, she was critically ill only a week.

Mrs. Reed, whose maiden name was Lucretia B. Marsh, was born at Hillsdale, Mich., June 15, 1836. Her father died there when she was a mall child, and her mother, having married again to Mr. Bruce, the family moved to Jackson Co., Wis. about 1848. For several years they kept hotel at Hatfield, but Mrs. Reed, during her girlhood made her home much of the time with her sisters, Mrs. C.R. Johnson in Black River Falls. There she was married to Thomas Reed in 1858, the marriage taking place in the Good Templars hall. For several years Mr. and Mrs. Reed were located at Arnold’s Creek, where he engaged in lumbering. In 1863 they moved to Clark County and took a homestead in the wilderness on Pleasant Ridge, which has ever since been her home. In 1885 the husband died but with her characteristic energy and industry, she carried on the farm and looked after the affairs of her household. Four children were born to them, two dying in infancy, the others, Mrs. Julius Benedict, living near by in the town of Grant, and Mrs. H.O. Huckstead at the old home.

Such a life as here, was at once a foundation rock and a beacon light for a community. In much of her early days, she endured what now would seem hardships and privations. All of her years were spent in helpful, patient industry, yet directed with the utmost intelligence. As was said by one who lived beneath her roof for many years and knew her kindly care, "She was a friend of the friendless and a helper for everybody." Like a sheaf, full ripe for the harvest, she stood ready to be gathered, her work well done and finished. That her influence for good was widely felt and will long remain is true, though apparently largely exerted near at home; for, "No life can be pure in its purpose and strong in its strife, and all life not be purer and stronger thereby."