Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 735 - 736 

THEODORE REDER. The subject of this sketch has been for some years prominent among the farmers and stock-raisers of Grand River Township, having a fine estate pleasantly located on section 18. Comparatively young in years, and having commenced in life with but small means, his financial position is ample evidence of the manner in which he has employed his time, and the good judgment of which he is the fortunate possessor. He has one of the best appointed homesteads in his township, and on account of his strict integrity and high character, is numbered among its most valued citizens.

            A native of Cass County, Ind., our subject was born Dec. 25, 1857, and is the son of Daniel and Nancy J. (Babb) Reder, the father born in Bucyrus, Ohio, Jan. 13, 1833, and the mother was born in Cass County, Ind. The latter died when her son Theodore was a child three years of age. Daniel Reder was a carpenter by trade, but also carried on farming and merchandising. He was three times married, the mother of our subject being his first wife, and Theodore her only child. Of the second marriage there were born four children, namely: Frances Maria, Mrs. Joseph Switzer, who died, and left two children; Samuel Riley, who lives in Kingman County, this State, with his father; Loren C. and James Martin. Of the third marriage there are two children--Martha and Inez.

            The paternal grandfather of our subject, John Reder, was a practicing physician, and when his son Daniel was about nine years of age removed from Ohio to Cass County, Ind., where the latter was reared and married, and where he remained until after his second marriage. He had picked up considerable medical knowledge from his father, and practiced some while also working at his trade of carpenter. From Cass County he removed to Pulaski in the same State, and purchased land which he operated until the outbreak of the Rebellion. Soon after the first call for troops he assisted in organizing a company, and became a member of the 87th Indiana Infantry, in which he served six months, and was then discharged on account of disability.

             The father of our subject in 1872 left Indiana, and came into Marion County, this State, where he purchased a half-section of land, and established a store of general merchandise. In connection with his farm and store he also practiced medicine, and officiated as Postmaster. He is a man of great energy and enterprise, and held the various local offices, being Township Trustee and Justice of the Peace for several years. During his residence of ten years in Marion County his second wife died, and he was married to the third. In 1874 he disposed of his property, and removed to Kingman County, where he also owns a half-section of land, with the exception of eighty acres which lie in this county. He still practices medicine to a limited extent among his intimate acquaintances.

            Theodore Reder remained with his father until about twenty-five years of age, accompanying him in his various removals, living economically, and finally investing his savings in eighty acres of land in Marion County, this State. At the time of his marriage he had purchased his present home, and had his house built ready for the reception of his bride. He was wedded, on the 25th of December, 1884, to Miss Nellie, daughter of William and Mary (Bradrick) Kelley, and who was born in Logansport, Ind., Feb. 9, 1862. The father of Mrs. Reder died when she was about six years of age. He was born in Ohio, Feb. 28, 1819, and her mother was born in Darke County, Ohio, April 29, 1836; she had been twice married, and is the mother of two children only -- Mrs. Reder and her sister, Amina. The latter was born Aug. 5, 1859, and on the 4th of July, 1878, was married to William Reder, a cousin of our subject; they are now the parents of five children, and live in Kingman County.

             Our subject and his wife are the parents of one child, a son, Hal Crawford, who was born Dec. 18, 1886. Mr. Reder was reared in Republican principles, but both he and his father belong to the Union Labor party. The latter, in 1887, was the nominee of this party for the State Legislature, and made public speeches in different parts of this and adjoining counties in behalf of the interests of the people who are not capitalists. Our subject in early life was imbued with the principles of Christianity, although not at present identified with any church organization. He is, however, a Methodist in belief, and of this church his excellent wife is a member in good standing. They are greatly esteemed in their community, as representing the best type of its moral and social element.

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