Sacramento County
Biographies
WILLIAM M. REEDER
WILLIAM M. REEDER.--One of the most valued citizens and progressive business men of Sacramento is William M. Reeder, the proprietor of the Reeder Welding and Machine Works. He is a worthy representative of that class of citizens who, while promoting individual interests, also advance the general prosperity of the city. He was born in Atlanta, Ga., on July 31, 1875, a son of William L. and Katie (Maston) Reeder, born in Georgia and Alabama, respectively. The father was a merchant in Atlanta until his death, November 27, 1921, but the mother passed away in 1887. William M. Reeder grew up in the parental home in Atlanta, Ga., and received his education in the public and private schools of that state and also learned the machinist and welding trade. In 1905 he removed to Sacramento, Cal., and for four yeas was busy at his trade; then he decided to establish his own business and in 1909 his present business was started in a small way on Sixth and M Streets. An increase in business has caused a steady growth until his establishment is one of the largest welding concerns on the Pacific Coast, and he has had to seek larger quarters on Ninth and R Streets. The property is 240 by 160 feet, and here he has built a large brick building. Forty men are employed to take care of the rapidly increasing business. The shop is complete and modern in every particular, and his stock of welding supplies is large and complete. He has built the business up from the ground floor by using his profits to enlarge the plant; the result is he has the most complete welding plant west of Chicago. He has also installed and equipped a machine shop, where he does machine work, and cylinder and crank-shaft grinding. His business not only extends all over California, but over the entire Pacific Coast States and into Nevada and Utah. He has originated many useful devices and inventions which he uses in his plant, and has patented and makes a Fordson brake, which when applied enables the operator to make a shorter turn with his Fordson Tractor.
Mr. Reeder's marriage, in Sacramento, September 13, 1907, united him with Miss Ruth Chapman, a native of Sacramento, and to them have been born five children: Merlin; Edward; Beulah; Robert and Lewis. Mrs. Reeder is the daughter of Alfred and Katherine (Dickey) Chapman, born in Indiana and Sacramento County, respectively. Grandfather O. A. Chapman brought the family across the plains to California in pioneer days. Alfred Chapman was a carpenter and builder until his demise in 1907, survived by a widow and seven children, Mrs. Reeder being the second oldest. Mr. Reeder is independent in his political views and fraternally is a member of the Odd Fellows and the Elks, both of Sacramento; he is also a member of the Chamber of Commerce and during the World War was active in the local war drives and work.
Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
Source: Reed, G.
Walter, History of Sacramento County,
California With Biographical Sketches, Page 877. Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, CA.
1923.
© 2007 Jeanne Taylor.