Ink-Slinger Profiles by Alex Jay: Earl Reeder

Earl Edward Reeder was born on September 26, 1890, in Marshall County, Indiana, according to his World War II draft card and Social Security application, both at Ancestry.com. In the 1900 U.S. Federal Census, Reeder was the fourth of five children born to James H., a farmer, and Mary Jane (Morrison) Reeder. They lived in Lone Tree, Nebraska. 

According to the 1910 census, Reeder was a clothing salesman who lived with his parents and two siblings in Penn, Indiana at 315 West Front Street. 

The South Bend News-Times (Indiana), September 8, 1913, said Reeder attended Indiana University in Bloomington. 

The News-Times, September 28, 1914 said 

Earl Reeder, who has been employed on the Grand Rapids Herald at Grand Rapids, Mich., arrived in this city Monday morning to spend several days visiting with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Reeder, W. Front st. Mr. Reeder has resigned his position and will leave soon for Bloomington, Ind., where he will reenter Indiana university. Mr. Reeder was formerly connected with The News-Times.

On June 5, 1917, Reeder signed his World War I draft card. He resided in Grand Rapids, Michigan, at 143 Waverly Place, and was employed as auto editor at the Grand Rapids Herald. Reeder’s description was slender build, medium height, with brown hair and blue eyes. Reeder’s progress at officers’ training camp was covered by the News-Times.

April 22, 1918

Fred Grimes and Earl E. Reeder, of Camp Custer, Battle Creek, Mich., have arrived in the city to spend a few days furlough with their parents, Mrs. Rose F. Grimes, 119 Niles av., and Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Reeder, 315 W. Front st. 

May 10, 1918

Two Former News-Times Men Will Get “Straps”

Two former News-Times employees have qualified to receive commissions in the third officers’ training camps, which have just closed. Fred A. Grimes, and Earl E. Reeder, both of Mishawaka, finished their courses in training and will be given commissions as son as officers are needed. 

June 8, 1918

Mishawaka Man Gets Commission

Earl E. Reeder, Former News-Times Man, Is First Lieutenant.

Earl E. Reeder, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Reeder, 315 Front st., has received a commission as first lieutenant in the infantry. He graduated from the officers training school at Camp Custer, Battle Creek, Mich., several weeks ago. Lieut. Reeder is now stationed at Camp Lee, Petersburg, Va.

Lieut. Reeder is a well known Mishawaka young man. He was employed at the Mishawaka office of The News-Times for several years, then later at the South Bend office. He also was connected with the Grand Rapids Herald. He is a graduate of the Mishawaka high school. He attended Notre Dame university, and graduated from Indiana university.

February 4, 1919

Honorably Discharged

Lieut. Earl E. Reeder, of the 78th infantry, has received his honorable discharge. He is at present visiting his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Reeder, Fisher court. Lieut. Reeder was formerly connected with The News-Times.

The 1920 census recorded Reeder, his parents and sister in Mishawaka, Indiana, at 316 Fischer Court. Reeder was an advertising solicitor. 

Four months later, Reeder married Madge Grant on July 17. Their marriage was reported in the Elkhart Truth (Indiana), July 20, 1920. 

Miss Madge Grant, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. D. A. Grant of South Bend, and Earl E. Reeder of Mishawaka were married at 4 o’clock Saturday afternoon by Rev. R. Everett Carr of Kankakee, former vicar of St. James Episcopal church of South Bend. Mr. Reeder is a member of the advertising firm of DeLeury & Reeder of South Bend and his bride was formerly employed on the editorial staff of the South Bend Tribune.

The Fourth Estate, October 2, 1920, said “Miss Madge Grant, formerly a South Bend (Ind.) Tribune reporter, and Earl Reeder of the firm of DeLeury & Reeder, advertising agents, were married recently.” 

In 1927, Reeder wrote and Raymond Flanagan drew Deb’s Diary which was syndicated by the National Newspaper Service. The series debuted in the Harrisburg Telegraph (Pennsylvania) on March 21, 1927.

The 1930 census said Reeder and his wife had a seven-year-old daughter. They resided in South Bend at 122 Pokagon Street. Reeder was the proprietor of an advertising agency. 

Reeder was at the same address in the 1940 census which counted his mother-in-law in the household. His occupation was newspaper  publisher. 

On April 27, 1942, Reeder signed his World War II draft card. His address was unchanged. Reeder was employed at the St. Joseph Bank and Trust Company in South Bend. 

Reeder passed away on June 10, 1951 in South Bend. The death certificate said the cause was coronary thrombosis. He was laid to rest at Highland Cemetery.