Luther Reid.—The measure of success in any line of human endeavor, is in proportion to the effort expended. This is an age-old maxim, but to the world at large, success is not all apparent; to the casual observer of the surface of life, it is impossible to determine to just what degree, this man or that man has been successful. The height of the climb up the ladder of success, depends to a great extent on the number and magnitude of the obstructions he encounters, as well as on his power to climb.

Luther Reid was not born with a silver spoon in his mouth, nor reared in the lap of luxury. He began the struggle of life alone and unaided, and with little but the heritage of good honest blood in his veins, and a determination to make the most of his opportunities. He began by working on a farm for little more than his keep, and because of the lack of opportunity his early education was limited, and as a natural consequence the progress he made for several years was not great.

In January, 1870, Luther Reid was married to Sarah Kauffman in McLean county, Illinois, where he had lived a short time previously, going to that State from Ohio with his employer. Sarah Kauffman was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania. Her parents, David and Rebecca (Snell) Kauffman, were of German extraction, and were both natives of Pennsylvania. In November, 1865, they left their native State and migrated to Illinois. They settled on a farm in McLean county, and here they lived the balance of their days. They were the parents of eight children, of whom Sarah Kauffman Reid was the eldest.

For fifteen years following their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Reid lived on a farm in McLean county, Illinois. In the spring of 1885, they came to Buter[sic] county, Kansas. They bought the northwest quarter of section 11, Fairmount township, going in debt for the greater portion of the purchase price of the land. In the face of the vissicitudes that usually obstruct the path of the pioneer and builder of new States, their progress was slow, but steady, and with the passing of the years, their industry and faith in their adopted State was amply rewarded, and from time to time they added to the original quarter section of land until their holdings totaled 400 acres. Their farm has been improved with a two-story modern home, good barns, out buildings, and is one of the farms on which the visitor to Butler county would look with admiration.

Mr. Reid was for many years engaged in the threshing business and was one of the most successful men in that business. In connection with his general farming and stock raising, he followed threshing until a few years before his death, which occurred March 6, 1906. Mr. and Mrs. Reid were the parents of eight children, as follows: Charles Reid; Thomas Reid; Minnie Reid, deceased; Frank Reid; George Reid; David Reid; Etta (Reid), the wife of S. T. Fowler; and Olen Reid.

George and Olin Reid, konwn[sic] as the Reid Brothers, live with the mother on the old homestead, and are successful farmers and business men. In the main their business is the live stock industry, mainly sheep

feeding and horse breeding. The breeding of top-notch Percherons receives the closest study, and in this work the results they have attained go to prove their fitness for the business. One Percheron colt of their breeding they sold at the age of eight months for $250. The brothers began the horse breeding business after the death of the father, and have been so engaged continuously up to the present. They are well and favorably known, and each year the circle of business acquaintances and friends is widened.

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