physician, politician, b. near Versailles, Ohio. He studied medicine and received his M.D. degree in Cincinnati. In 1849 he moved to Wisconsin, settling in Jefferson where he practiced medicine for the remainder of his life. He also took an active part in politics, and was a member of the Republican party until 1872 when he supported Horace Greeley and the Liberal Republicans; thereafter he was a member of the Democratic camp. Reed was mayor of Jefferson for many years, was state assemblyman (1862, 1866-1867), and state senator (1875-1878, 1883-1886). He was also interested in matters relating to the mentally ill, and from 1874 to 1891 was a member of the state board of charities and reform. In this capacity Reed was instrumental in fostering the idea of establishing county hospitals for the incurably insane. Wis. Blue Book (1883); Hist. of Jefferson Co. (Chicago, 1879); Jefferson Banner, May 17, 1916; W. W. Reed Reminiscences.

The Wisconsin Historical Society has manuscripts related to this topic. See the catalog description of the William W. Reed Reminiscences for details.

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[Source: Blue book]