G. D. Edwin Reed & Flora Tilley

1900 Federal Census, Donald Township, Franklin Co., AR:

Reed, Edwin/Edmond Reid, b. Jun 1844, age 55, Born: MI Father: NY Mother: Pennsylvania

Flora E., b. Dec 1873 Born: Texas Father: Texas Mother: Texas

Alta J., b. Sep 1890 Indian Territory Father: MI Mother: Indiana

Jessie M., b. Sep 1892 Indian Territory Father: MI Mother: Indiana

Maryetta, b. Jan 1894 Indian Territory Father: MI Mother: Indiana

Clyde E., b. 1900 age: 1, Father: MI Mother: TX

1910 Federal Census, Donald Township, Franklin Co., AR:

Reed, Edwin, 62, MI NY PA

Flora, 32, TX TX TX

Mettie, 14 Indian Territory MI IN

Clyde, 10, AR MI TX

Ida, 8, AR MI TX

Ada, 6, AR MI TX

Addie, 4, AR MI TX

Orville, 2, AR MI TX

1920 Federal Census lists Edwin Reed b. abt 1845, wife: Flora, residing at Donald Township, Franklin Co., AR

1920 Census list Maude Reed b. abt 1910 in Franklin Co., AR

The Paris Express, dated 1 Apr 1926, “March 25th, a celebration of Mrs. Lawrence A. Bench, birthday with a butt-in dinner. The surprise was the present of her aged aunt and only sister, Mrs. Mary Young, whom she had not seen in years. Present at occasion: Charles Stone & son, R. G. Parrott, Ben Johns & son, R. J. McKinney & four children; Bryant McGee & two children, Emma Kirkpatrick, Nan Kirkpatrick, Blanche Robberson & children, P. J. Satterfield, Martin Luman, H.K. Brown, Belle Featherston, Harry Arnold & child, Ceno McGee, & five children, D. C. Powell, Misses Babe Hampton & Beulah Bench”.

Olen Alan Jackson Colvard in 1930 Census, Island, Sebastian Co., AR, District 18, Sheet 6a, pg 125. Child: Betty Jo Colvard b. 17 Jul 1928 Sebastian Co., AR.

1930 Federal Census, Donald Township, Franklin Co., AR:

Reed, Edwin, 75, MI NY PENN, cotton farmer

Flora E., 56, TX TX TX

Orvel O., 22, AR MI TX

Albert C., 14, AR MI TX

Aged Resident Buried Monday, Paris Express, Thursday, January 19, 1933

G. D. Reed, aged 88 years died at his home in Branch, January 14. Funeral service was held Monday conducted by Rev. Lovett, pastor, at Assembly of God Church of Paris. Burial was in the cemetery near Branch.

Mr. Reed was born in Detroit, Mich, June 5, 1844 and came to Arkansas when a youth spending the greater part of his lifetime in Johnson and Yell Counties. He was married three times.

All of the children except one attended the funeral, she is Mrs. Earl Cagle of California. The others are Mrs. Alvin Hargraves of Coal Hill, Mrs. Alice Freeman, and Mrs. Maud Colbert both of Arbuckle’s Island, Mrs. O. V. Moore of Paris, Mrs. Charley Coogan, Carbon City, Mrs. Clyde Reed, Greasy Valley, Mrs. L. M. Bench, Red Bench and California. Orville, Alfred and Albart of the home address; 41 grandchildren, several great grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren. (Spelling left as transcribed in the Paris Express newspaper).

Last Will And Testament of Edwin Reed

State of Arkansas, County of Franklin

Know all men by these presents, that I, Edwin Reed of Branch, Arkansas, of sound and disposing mind and memory, do make and publish this my last will and testament, hereby revoking all former wills by me at any time heretofore made.

Hereby constute and appoint my wife Flora Reed to be my executrix of my last will, directing my said executrix to pay all my just debts and funeral expenses, and legates hereinafter given, out of my estate.

After the payment of all my said debts and fundral (sp) expenses, I, give and bequeath to my three sons Orville Reed and Alfred Reed and Albert Reed all my real estate constutein the following to wit:

The South West to North East Section Two Township Seven Range twenty Eight, and also the South part of North West of North East Section Two Township Seven Range twenty Eight, Forty nine acres more or less, to share and to share alike.

Having full confidence in my three Sons it is my will and desire that my beloved wife Flora Reed, have her support out of the proceeds of said land while and during her natural life, or so long as she remains my widow.

I give and bequeath to my daughter, Mariah Hardgraves one dollar to be paid within one year after my deceased.

I give and bequeath to my daughter Alice Freeman one dollar to be paid within one year after my deceased.

I give and bequeath to my daughter Jessie Kagle one dollar to be paid within one year after my deceased.

I give and bequeath to my daughter Metta Moore one dollar to be paid within one year after my deceased.

I give and bequeath to my son Clyde Reed one dollar to be paid within one year after my deceased.

I give and bequeath to my daughter Ida Coogan one dollar to be paid within one year after my deceased.

I give and bequeath to my daughter Ada Bench one dollar to be paid within one year after my deceased.

I give and bequeath to my daughter Maud Colvard one dollar to be paid within one year after my deceased.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and publish and declare this to be my last will and testament, in the presence of the witnesses named below, this second day of January 1930.

Signed, published and declared by the said Edwin Reed as and for his last will and testament, in the presence of us, who, in his presence and in the presence of each other, and at his request, have subscribed aour names as witnesses thereto.

Earl Cagle's parents info: Arthur Columbus Cagle b. 7 Jun 1859 Madisonville, Monroe Co., TN Mother: Adney Griffin b. 15 Jul 1873 Johnson Co., AR

1900 United States Federal Census Census & Voter Lists: Earl Cagle Residing: Comanche, Texas

1920 United States Federal Census

World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918: Irl (Earl)Leon Cagle. Residing: Jasper, Missouri

World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 Military: Irl (Earl) Leon Cagle. Residence: Jasper, Missouri. Some info. provided by LaMona Phillips, LaMona@bak.rr.com

Edward Ross memories, "Alfred Mose Reed left in 1938 for the Army to Ft. Lewis, Washington."

Edward Ross memories, "Branch, Arkansas public schools began with Branch School, and then Ratcliff High Schools were built. The combination of the two created County Line at the county line of Franklin County and Logan County, Arkansas."

1910 Census lists: Edwin Reed, Flora Reed, Mettie Reed, Clyde Reed, age 10, Ida Reed, Ada Reed, Addie Reed, Arville (how spelled) Reed.

Albert Reed enlisted in the Army Air Force in the state of Texas. He was assigned to the 7th Chemical Company Aviation. Source retrieved from America Battle Monuments Commission web site.

Memories of Edward Hugh Reed. "I hung around Albert Reed while growing up, he was full of fun and life."

Ada Reed and Lawrence Bench had three children: Edwin Bench living in Southern CA, Wanda Bench, who married Grady McConnell, Poteau, LeFlore Co., OK, and Evelene who died at age 12, in 1938. Wanda Bench McConnell's children: David (Church of God minister), moved to AR. Adopted son: Rickie living in Southern California. Wanda Bench McConald moved to Van Buren, AR and attends Assembly of God.

Maude Reed had four children: Harold, Demple, Vesta, & Ray, who died of leukemia, age 21.

Jessie Reed and Roy Cagle had two children: Earl Cagle living in Marysville, CA, "Sister" Cagle, and their son, Leon. The Cagle name was originally Kaglee, then Kagle, now Cagle.

Whitebead Cemetery information from Garvin Co., OK Cemeteries, 1868-1977. I personally travelled with Edward Ross, my dad to Whitebead Cemetery. I found the stone tombstone for Letha and the two children that died in the fire.

The Paris Express, dated 19 Nov 1945, “Lawrence McConnell, son of Mr. & Mrs. Grady McConnell of Los Angeles, CA, who was two years old on Nov. 1st, was honored at a birthday supper at the home of his grandparents, Mr. & Mrs. L. M. Bench, Los Angeles. Attending; Mr. & Mrs. Tom Moore & children, Mrs. & Mrs. John Cole, Mr. & Mrs. Cleve Jones & son, Mr. & Mrs. John Roark, Evelyn Ostendorf, Maxine Hamilton, Cecil & Betty Pierce, Rev. & Mrs. L. J. Knapp & daughters. The Benches & McConnell’s are former residents of Paris”.

In the late 1970's to 1980's, natural gas was located on the Reed land.

Some information provided by: June Callan, Louise Bynum, Jeanette Young, Emogene & Jack Baker, Kenneth Moore, Fred Tilley and Edward Hugh Ross. The book, "A History of The Hardgrave Family 1500-1986" by Cecil E. Hardgrave.

Children of Mariah Reed & Alvin D. Hardgraves

Claud, Pearl, James, Esther, Gladys, Eunice, Norman, Earl, Elbert, Howard, Bonnie, Edward

Some information provided by Virginia Ann Thompson

Neil Smith, POB 1688, Porterville, CA 93258,, 559-784.2244.

Some info. provided by Jim R. Morelock on Marietta Reed & Oscar V. Moore

When visiting Orville Reed who remained on the family land, my step-grandfather and adopted father, Alfred M. Reed, showed me Edwin and Flora's picture that was hung in Bobbie and Robbie's bedroom. The old house was ancient. Their speech was slow and lazy. My brother and I called them Arkies or hillbillies.

In the 60's to 1984 they continued to live in a rundown house, with wavy metal roofing, old green tiles covered the outside walls, and the porch swing. The screen doors would creak open and close as you entered a ancient tiled floor that was grossly soiled.

In the winter a big pot-bellied stove sat in the middle of the living room about 10 X 10 in size. Well worn couch and straw bottom chairs, with piled books, magazines, and articles laid around. The TV set had the ear antennae with tin foil and a wire attached to the window for reception. The stove Ruby cooked on was cast iron, wood heated. They did not have running water but a well that is dry now was on the hill near the original homestead which still stands "barely" today. Ruby, whose face was marked with so many lines but a simple heart of gold did the dishes in a white coated pan after heating the water on the stove. The electricity was available but they never bothered to make additions. A propane tank was located just outside the door of the kitchen. The outhouse was in a field near the chicken coop and a night pot was used as 'wolves' could get ya in the middle of the night if you go to the outhouse. I bathed in a large wooden tub with pine sol due to the chiggers and ticks in the summer time. My brother and I used to ride an old bike we found without tires down the hill. We chased the old jack across the field back over the fence on the Reed land off the neighbors one day. They had real feather beds and at night you knew you weren't alone when something would crawl. We had to spray the mattresses down. My brother and I slept in a big tent the next time we came.

They built a bathroom on late in the 70's. The house caught fire when the pilot light came on one day as someone had left a gasoline can near. It was said it exploded. Two children of Bobbie Reed's died in the fire. They found the baby under the bed. The surviving child, a little girl, was as they described, 'crippled'.

As I have learned about Edwin Reed's family and the fire he endured when his wife and two children died in Garvin County, OK it was a terrible repeat of history. The cemetery the Reed's are buried at is Hampton Cemetery just due north less than 3 miles from the homestead. If you follow the road you will come to a curve. If you go straight you will drive to a metal farm gate, the cemetery is just passed it. A small sign is all that marks Hampton Cemetery. The Reed's are in a row near the back west fence with small ground markers.

Juanita Glenda Denton & Alfred Mose Reed
Orville Reed & Ruby Mae Cruise
Alice Jane Reed & Alfred Freeman
Maryetta Reed & Oscar Virgil Moore
Descendents of James Russell (Alvin Hardgraves)
Alexander Janes & Elizabeth Jane Roberts
Alvin D. Hardgraves & Mariah E. Reed
William H. Spoon & Mary Caroline Boles

Arkansas Lee's back home
The Franklin County, Arkansas Reed's

Problem solving Edwin's Family