Reeder, William A., banker and member of Congress, was born in Cumberland county, Pa., Aug. 28, 1849. He was educated in the common schools and at the age of fourteen years went to Ipava, Ill., where he soon afterward began teaching, which occupation he followed for seven years in Illinois. He then came to Kansas and located at Beloit, where he was principal of the schools until 1880. He then engaged in business at Logan, Kan., and subsequently became a banker. In 1890, in partnership with A. H. Ellis and J. J. Wiltrout, he purchased an extensive tract of land on the Solomon river and established one of the largest irrigated farms in Kansas. He took an active interest in political and public affairs; was elected in 1898 to represent the Sixth district in Congress and by reëlection served until March 4, 1911.