Stivers High School - Annual Yearbook (Dayton, OH)

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whom are living: Mrs. Jennie Palfrey and Alex D. Reeder, of Oakland, 111.; Clark B. Reeder, of Berkeley, 111.; and Frank Reeder, Dayton, Ohio. In 1887, he married Mary Ida Dunne, his present wife. He carried mail for Uncle Sam in ’85 and ’86, when sixteen carriers constituted the entire force. Later he worked in the Stoddard factory for a short time and clerked at a housewares store for a still briefer period. Here, according to Mr. Reeder’s statement, the proprietor hired him for life and kept him a week. Then for several months, he was chief inspector at the N. C. R. factory, putting his “seal of approval” on thirty machines a day for the small wage of one dollar and fifty cents. But a much larger sum was paid to the members of the Dayton Police Force; and so, for the next five years he helped enforce the law. Some activities in journalism also helped to add spice to life. The first attempts were made on “The Gleaner,” a high school paper published in Germantown. Later Mr. Reeder edited regularly nine columns in the “Franklin Chronicle.” He was at one time Germantown correspondent for the “Miamisburg Bulletin.” He even read proof for a town daily for two years. All this, however, was in addition to his teaching. Our sketch would be incomplete if we failed to mention the fact that Mr. Reeder was a soldier in the Civil War from May to September, in 1864. His regiment, the 146th O. N. G., did guard duty in West Virginia. Here, as sentinel, he had his most thrilling war experience. Scene, an old road with a pine forest in the background ; the time, midnight. A heavy body moved along in the pitchy blackness. The young sentinel cried, “Halt! who goes there?” and received for reply, “Moo-oo” from the old cow, which, we suspect from the twinkle in Mr. Reeder’s eye as he tells this, was not so much disturbed by the challenge as was the young guard of twenty who gave it. When asked about his relics of the war Mr. Reeder mentioned only a cannonball brought from Pittsburg Landing by his brother. Among other treasures, however, is a portrait of his father, an excellent likeness, painted by Thomas Buchanan Reed on a piece of bed-ticking. The artist had set out with a theatrical troupe, had found himself without funds, and so had been forced to remain in Franklin where he earned his living by painting. Equally as precious is a sword used by his maternal grandfather n the war of 1812. But there are treasures that are more valuable than these. They are memories that a traveler stores away. Mr. Reeder has many such, for he met with the National Educational Association in Washington, Detroit, Boston, Chicago and Denver; visited the world’s fairs at Buffalo and St. Louis; and has seen Niagara Falls and Yellowstone Park. He recalls a most enjoyable trip to Mammoth Cave in a wagon and a summer spent in Mississippi and Texas. In reply to the question, “What has been your greatest compensation in life?” Mr. Reeder answered, “Meeting my old pupils who recognize me and always seem glad to see me.” Among these thousands the writer wishes to include herself and to assure Mr. Reeder that she has ever kept in memory her first high-school instructor in English by preserving a little bundle of themes—brave first attempts—bearing his pencil-marks and critiques. And so, Mr. Reeder, In whatever fields your work may be, Whatever tasks may come to thee, Be mindful of these thousands still Who by your aid have climbed the hill; And know that many a wish sincere Goes with you ever, there or here; For health and joy and everything That you would have the future bring. 10

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STIVERS HIGH SCHOOL