Rufus Reid

Rufus Reid (1797–1854) was an American plantation owner, businessman and politician from North Carolina.

Biography

Early life Rufus Reid was born in 1797 in Catawba Springs Lincoln County, North Carolina. His father, Captain John Reid, served in the American Revolutionary War of 1775-1783 and owned much of the land in Catawba Springs. He was still serving in this capacity in 1841. He was elected as a member of the Iredell County Court. They had three daughters: Mary Jane Reid Little (1831–1905). Sallie Reid (Reid). Nancy "Nannie" Reid Houston.

After she died, he married Betsy (Latta Davidson) Reid, sister of his first wife and widow of Benjamin Davidson, owner of Oak Lawn, a plantation located in Huntersville, North Carolina, now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. They had one daughter: Elizabeth Eugenie "Bettie" Reid Torrance.

After she died, he married Isabella Torrance Smith of Cedar Grove, another plantation located in Huntersville and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. She was the widow of Franklin C. Smith. They had six children: Emma Catherine Reid. James Rufus Reid. He served in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War of 1861-1865 and died in battle in Virginia. Addie Isabella Reid. John Hugh Reid. Lucy Andrews Reid. Franklin Samuel Reid.

He died in 1854 in Mount Mourne, North Carolina.