William James Reed was born on 2 Jul 1863 in Lower Chanceford Twp, York, PA to Joseph Reed and Jane Ann Grove[1].
William first appears in a US Census record in 1870[2] as 7yo "Jas W." He's living in Lower Chanceford, York Co, PA with both of his parents and four siblings.
William's father, Joseph, died in 1871. His mother Jane did not remarry.
"Willie J" is shown as a 16yo laborer in the 1880 US Census[3], living with his mother, Jane, and two sisters.
William married Emma Dorris Rachel (Wallace) Reed (1866-1949) on 3 Feb 1893 in Highrock, York, PA[4]. They are believed to have had the following children:
1900 US Census[5] William was listed as 37yo and born in July 1863 in PA. He and his wife Emma (33; PA) were living with their three oldest children: Robert J (6; PA) Margaret W (5; PA), and James (1; PA). The household in Lower Chanceford, York, PA included Emma's mother Jane A Reed (65; PA), Emma's brother Andrew Wallace (31; PA) and a young servant.
By the 1910 US Census[6], William (47; PA), wife Emma (45; PA), all six of their children - Robert J (16; PA), Margaret W (14; PA), James G (11; PA), Janet F (5; PA), Dorothy J (3; PA), and Lelia D (0; PA) - and Emma's mother Jane A Reed (75; PA) are living still in Lower Chanceford.
The 1920 US Census[7] lists William (56; PA), Emma (53; PA), and all six of their children - Joseph R (25; PA), Margaret W (24; PA), James G (21; PA), Janet F (15; PA), Dorothy J (13; PA), and Lelia D (11;PA) - living in Lower Chanceford, York Co, PA.
In 1930, the US Census[8] lists just William (66; PA), Emma (63; PA), and their daughter Margaret (34; PA) in Lower Chanceford..
William passed away on 6 Jan 1931 in Lower Chanceford, York, PA[1]. He's buried in the Chanceford Presbyterian Cemetery in Airville, York, PA[9].
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