About Frank H. Reid
Lived 1844 – 1898 (aged 53–54). Frank H. Reid was an American teacher.
Frank H. Reid (c. 1844 – July 20, 1898) was an American soldier, teacher, city engineer, vigilante, and one of the combatants in the shootout on Juneau Wharf that ended the life of American outlaw Jefferson "Soapy" Smith, as well as Reid's own life.
Early life Reid was born in Illinois about 1844. He enlisted in the army and became a lieutenant for a company of Oregon volunteers. In the 1870s, he studied engineering and then became a teacher in Linn County, Oregon, District 29. On August 18, 1897, he was appointed town surveyor and helped map the town of Skagway. At some point, Reid joined the vigilante committee known as the 101.
Death On the evening of July 8, 1898, he was assigned to guard the entrance of Juneau Wharf, along with Josias Martin Tanner, Jesse Murphy and John Landers, to keep Soapy Smith and his men from entering a meeting being held by the 101 at the opposite end of the wharf. Smith arrived at the scene and assaulted Reid, which started what is historically known as the Shootout on Juneau Wharf. Smith died at the scene, while Reid lay wounded in the hospital for 12 days before dying on July 20, 1898.
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Important facts
People in Frank H. Reid's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Frank H. Reid's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Frank H. Reid?
American surveyor
When was Frank H. Reid born?
Frank H. Reid was born in 1844 in Illinois.
When did Frank H. Reid die?
Frank H. Reid died on 20 July 1898 in Skagway.
What was Frank H. Reid's occupation?
Frank H. Reid was a teacher.
What nationality was Frank H. Reid?
Frank H. Reid was American.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Frank H. Reid. https://biography.guide/frank-h-reid/
MLA: "Frank H. Reid." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/frank-h-reid/.
Chicago: "Frank H. Reid." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/frank-h-reid/.
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