James R. Reid

James R. Reid (1849 – December 12, 1937) was a Canadian American who was a Presbyterian minister. He served as the second president of Montana State University from 1894 to 1904.

Life and career James R. Reid was born in 1849 in Dundas County, Ontario, Canada, to Samuel and Nancy (Marlin) Reid. His father was an Ulster Scot born in County Londonderry, Ireland, and his mother was an Ulster Scot born in County Antrim, Ireland. His mother was born in 1812, and emigrated to Canada in 1828. Samuel and Nancy married in 1835, and Samuel died in 1860. Reid was one of 11 children, only seven of which survived into adulthood. Nancy Reid lived, never remarrying, until 1908.

Reid spent his childhood working on his father's farm, and attended local public school.

The college grew quickly under Reid, who provided the campus with 10 years of stability and relative harmony. The university football team was established in 1897, and the college graduated its first four students that same year. The curriculum expanded into civil and electrical engineering in 1898.

According to Montana historians Pierce Mullen, Robert Rydell, and Jeffrey Safford, Reid ensured the college's survival. The state legislature had not clearly defined roles for either the Bozeman campus or its rival in Missoula (now the University of Montana). The lack of mission and the internecine battles with Ryon undermined support for the college, but Reid's moral authority, his popularity as a speaker, and his steady leadership made the Agricultural College a "viable shadow" to the Missoula school. "He put [Montana State University] on the right path," Mullen said.

Personal life, retirement, and death Reid met Ella Holden while traveling in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, in 1902. He moved to Montreal in 1904 and married her. The couple had two children. The Reids moved to Riverside, California, in 1919. Reid died in Riverside on December 6, 1937.