Short Biography of William S. Reid

WM. S. REID, son of Daniel Reid, was born in Rockbridge county, Va., December 10, 1818. He removed with his father's family to Preble county, Ohio, in 1822; and in 1823 to Richmond. He married May 7, 1839, Sarah Jane Mansur, by whom he had nine children, of whom only Sarah M., Clara M., and Mansur C., are living. Mr. Reid was for a time a clerk in the land office at Fort Wayne; on a farm Allen county about twelve years; in the dry goods trade in Richmond three years; and for several years in the pork-packing business, in which, as one of the firm of Vanneman, Reid Co., he still continues. He was also for a number of years, with C. C. Beeler, engaged in the grocery trade, which they discontinued in 1870.

Source: "History of Wayne county, Indiana, from its first settlement to the present time : with numerous biographical and family sketches" ⁴⁰²²

CHARTER OAK PORK HOUSE. This establishment was commenced in the winter of 1853-4, by William Wiggins and Wm. S. Reid, for buying and slaughtering pork. On the death of Mr. Wiggins soon after, Jeremy Mansur joined Mr. Reid. Mansur & Reid carried on the business until 1861 or 1862, when Mr. Mansur retired, and G. W. Vanneman, C. C. Beeler, and John P. Smith became partners of Mr. Reid; since which time the business has been continued under the firm name of Vanneman, Reid & Co. In 1867, this establishment took the name of "Charter Oak Pork House." It has the capacity to slaughter and take care of about 900 hogs a day, or about 20,000 in a season, lasting about 20 days. The average number actually handled within the last three years, prior to 1870, was about 14,000 a year, and the value of the pork annually slaughtered and sold, about $250,000. This establishment was a few years ago destroyed by fire, but was promptly rebuilt. Nearly 20,000 were slaughtered in 1870, and in the season of 1871, 20,638.

Source: "History of Wayne county, Indiana, from its first settlement to the present time : with numerous biographical and family sketches" ⁴⁰²²