William Whitaker Reed facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William Whitaker Reed
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| Born | January 23, 1816 |
| Died | August 21, 1891 (aged 75) |
| Occupation | Texas pioneer; Sheriff |
| Spouse(s) | Emeline Cobb Reed (married 1841-1890, her death) |
| Children | James Michael Reed (born 1842) Martha Reed (born 1844) |
William Whitaker Reed (born January 23, 1816 – died August 21, 1891) was an important early settler in Bell County, Texas. He was born in Tennessee and became one of the first Anglo (English-speaking American) settlers in East Texas. William Reed also served as Bell County's first sheriff.
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Early Life in Tennessee
William Whitaker Reed was born in Bedford County, Tennessee. This area is close to the city of Nashville.
Moving to Texas
In 1833, William Reed traveled with his parents, Michael and Martha Reed. They went to Natchitoches, Louisiana. This town was a starting point for people moving to Texas, which was then part of Mexico.
However, the Mexican government had stopped allowing Anglo settlers to move in. Also, the land the Reeds wanted was in a disputed area. Two land agents, called empresarios, Sterling C. Robertson and Stephen F. Austin, both claimed the land.
Despite these problems, Reed and his brother-in-law, William Crain Sparks, explored the area. They looked at land in what is now Bell County, south of Temple. They chose land along the south bank of the Little River. This was near the community known today as Salado. Robertson later gained control of this colony in 1834.
Fighting for Texas Freedom
When the Texas Revolution started in 1835, William Whitaker Reed joined the Texian Army. He was part of Captain L. H. Mabbett's group.
In April 1836, Reed was only 20 years old. He was among the soldiers who had to dig a large grave. This grave was for the 344 men led by James Fannin. These men were killed by order of Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna at Goliad, west of Victoria. This event is known as the Goliad Massacre.
Building a Home in Texas
After the war, William Whitaker Reed went back to his land. In 1841, he married Emeline Cobb (1825-1890). They had ten children together.
The area where they lived was settled and then left empty several times by early pioneers. In 1850, five years after Texas became a U.S. state, Reed helped organize Bell County. He took part in choosing a commissioners' court to set up the county government. That same year, he was elected as Bell County's first sheriff. He served two terms in this important role.
The house William Reed built in 1850 was later moved and restored in 2008. It is now the Salado Visitor's Center. The house was made from strong oak logs cut from the Little River area. It was larger than most frontier cabins. It was built in a style called "dogtrot," with two main rooms separated by an open hallway. Fireplaces made of local limestone provided heat and a place to cook. The house had very few windows, only small openings to fire a gun if needed. This design helped keep the family safe from attacks by Native Americans, which was a common danger at the time. Over many years, Reed's family members protected this historic home, allowing it to be used today.
Later Years and Death
William Whitaker Reed passed away at age seventy-five. This was one year after his wife died. They are both buried on land that belonged to the Reed family.
