Chauncey W. Reed Collection (West Chicago)

Collection — Volume: 1-7

Identifier: RHC-RC-067

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Chauncey Reed collection partially documents the career of Chauncey Reed as State’s Attorney for DuPage County, 1920-1935, and as a member of the United States House of Representatives from the 11th Illinois District, 1935-1956. The collection also includes a few record books (1876-1887) from the business of William Reed, Chauncey’s father. The collection does not include any of Reed’s congressional papers or correspondence, but it does provide some biographical background in the form of a magazine article, military and death records, genealogical materials, and photographs. There is also information about his political career to be found in the numerous newspaper clippings in Box 1 and the oversize scrapbooks. The last 4 folders in Box 2 are the books from William Reed’s business. No other materials documenting Reed’s public life are known to exist, so this collection-although small-is significant to the political history of the region, especially for DuPage County.

Dates

created: 1856-1956
Other: Date acquired: 06/13/1979

Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions on access to the collection.

Conditions Governing Use

Property rights in the collection are held by Mrs. Reed; literary rights are dedicated to the public.

Biographical or Historical Information

Chauncey U. Reed was born in West Chicago, Illinois on June 2, 1880. His father, William Reed, was a county supervisor for DuPage County, trustee, and last president of the Village of Turner. He was also the first president of the Village of West Chicago and kept West Chicago’s first general store. Chauncey Reed attended Northwestern University, then the Webster College of Law in Chicago where he received the L.L.B. degree in 1915. In 1920 he entered public service as States Attorney for DuPage County, a posthe held until 1935. Reed married Ella Stegen of Elmhurst, Illinois in 1929 and they had three children: Barbara, James, and Thomas. In 1935, Reed, running as the Republican Party candidate, won election to the United States House of Representatives for the 11th District of Illinois. In the House he was appointed to the Judiciary Committee and the Committee on Coinage, Weights, and Measures. He died during his eleventh term in office on February 9, 1956. Reed has been active in a number of organizations including service as President of the Illinois State’s Attorney’s Association, Secretary of the DuPage County Bar Association, and Commander of the local American legion Post.

Note written by

Extent

3.00 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Source of Acquisition

Mrs. Chauncey W. Reed

Method of Acquisition

Mrs. Chauncey W. Reed deposited the Chauncey W. Reed Collection with the Northern Illinois Regional History Center on June 13, 1979.

Related Materials

Researchers using this collection may wish to consult the Dennis J. Collins Collection (RC 5) and the Latham B. Castle Collection (RC 73). Both Collins Castle were contemporaries of Reed and played important roles in the Republican Party and regional politics during the 1930’s, 1940’s and 1950’s.