J. FLEETWOOD REED, M. D., engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in Wichita Falls, Texas, is one of the leading representatives of the medical fraternity in his part of the state, practicing along modern scientific lines and demonstrating through the success which attends his efforts his comprehensive knowledge of the principles of medicine. A native of Tennessee, his birth occurred near Winchester in 1855, his parents being Shipman and Lettie (Campbell) Reed. His father was born in Alabama and when a young man left that state removing to Tennessee. In the vicinity of Winchester he purchased a tract of land and began the cultivation of a farm, upon which he continued to make his home until his death on February 13, 1899, aged seventy-one years. This farm was formerly the property of his wife’s father and on the old homestead there Mrs. Lettie Reed was born and reared and also spent the days of her married life. She died in 1889, aged sixty-two years.
Dr. Reed, of this review, early became familiar with he duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist and continued to assist his father in farming pursuits until twenty-two years of age. His early education was supplemented by a course of study in the Winchester Normal College and after leaving home he engaged in teaching school for four years in Alabama and for one year in Tennessee. Ere the expiration of the latter period he formed a determination to make the practice of medicine his life work and to this end became a student in the medical department of the Vanderbilt University at Nashville, Tennessee, where he was graduated with the class of 1887. He then entered upon practice and was thus engaged until the early part of 1891, when he pursued a post-graduate course in the medical department of the University of Nashville, Tennessee, and in the spring of that year came to Wichita county, Texas, locating in the town of Iowa Park. There he opened an office, which he conducted with success until the 14th of January, 1904, when he came to Wichita Falls, where he has since made his home. In 1902 he had pursued a post-graduate course in obstetrics in Vanderbilt University and throughout his professional career he has made continuous progress through reading and investigation. His career has been characterized by a masterful grasp of the intricate problems which have been continually present for solution and he is now known as one of the most eminent and successful members of the profession in his adopted county. He has had business interests aside form his professional duties, having made judicious investment in oil lands in Clay county, adjoining Wichita county, where he now had flowing wells. He is one of the principal operators in the oil district and in the development of that industry is contributing to the public prosperity as well as to his individual success.
In 1889, in Tennessee, was celebrated the marriage of Dr. Reed and Miss Josie Edmiston, who was born and reared in Giles county, Tennessee. They have no children of their own, but have one adopted son, Jesse Reed. Their home is noted for its generous hospitality and the circle of their friends is almost co-extensive with the circle of their acquaintance. The doctor is a member of the Democratic executive committee of his county and takes considerable interest in local politics, doing all in his power to promote the growth and insure the success of his party. His attention, however, is concentrated more largely upon his professional duties and the acquirement of knowledge concerning the best methods of medical practice. He belongs to and is president of the Wichita County Medical Association, and belongs to the Northwestern Texas and the American Medical Associations and in the last named organization represents Wichita county as a member of the national auxiliary, congressional and legislative committees. The doctor is a social, genial gentleman, interested in all that pertains to the welfare of his state, is charitable and benevolent and worthy demands of the needy are seldom made in vain. He has a large circle of warm friends and his friendship is best prized by those who know him best. In his professional capacity Dr. Reed is known throughout the country, his reputation extending far beyond the limits of his state, an honor to the profession by which he has been especially distinguished.
Source: B. B. Paddock, History and Biographical Record of North and West Texas, Vol. I (Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1906), pp. 415-416.