Reed was born in
West Chicago, Illinois to William Thomas Reed and Margaret Reed. Reed's father held several political positions.
Education and early career Reed attended the local public schools and
Northwestern University in
Evanston, Illinois. Reed was city treasurer of
West Chicago, Illinois, in 1913 and 1914. He graduated from the Webster College of Law in
Chicago, Illinois, in 1915. He was
admitted to the bar that same year and commenced practice in
Naperville, Illinois.
World War I During
World War I, Reed served as a sergeant in the
86th Infantry Division. He resumed his law practice in Naperville upon his return from the war.
Political career Reed served as
State's Attorney of
DuPage County from 1920 to 1935 and also served as chairman of the DuPage County Republican Central Committee from 1926 to 1934. On October 3, 1929, Reed married Ella D. Stegen.
Congress Reed was elected as a
Republican to the
74th United States Congress in 1934 and was later reelected to the ten succeeding Congresses, and served from January 3, 1935, until his death in
Bethesda, Maryland on February 9, 1956. He served as chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary for the
83rd Congress.
Interment Reed was interred in Glen Oak Cemetery in his hometown of
West Chicago, Illinois. ==See also==