George David REID, painter, of Louisiana, was born near St. Louis, Missouri, on a farm, October 20 1827. He was reared at his birthplace and on a farm near Auburn, Lincoln county, Missouri When he was nineteen he went to St. Louis, where he learned the painter's trade with BOLTON & WILSON, working with them three years, when he began to work in the same city as a journeyman and worked three years, when in 1853 he went to New Orleans, Louisiana and worked at journey work one year. He then came to Louisiana and worked in a shop until 1859, when he returned to New Orleans and became associated with his brother in the firm name of G. D. & J. Y. REID & Son. October 20, 1852, he married Elizabeth Ann BENSON, a native of Manchester, England, by whom he has six children; Joseph B., associated with him; Leota, wife of Fremont TODD, of Louisiana, Missouri; William S., Lizzie L., Cora A., and Jeanette. During 1859 he served as city marshal of Louisiana, Himself, wife, and children, excepting the two younger, are members of the First Presbyterian Church of Louisiana.

Joseph Benson REID, of the firm of G. D. REID & Son, painters, of Louisiana, was born in Louisiana, Missouri, July 7, 1855. when he was four years old he went with his parents to New Orleans, Louisiana, where he attended school until he was thirteen, when he clerked in the lumber yard of CUTTLER & TRUNELL for one year. He then went into the printing office of Isaac HINTON and worked as a printer until 1870, when he returned to Louisiana, Missouri, with his parents. His father wishing  him to follow some vocation other than printing he tried several occupations, but finding them not to suit his taste, and having as innate love for sign and fancy painting, when he returned to Louisiana he turned his attention to that art, in which he has become an adept, and his reputation is not only at home, but he has calls to execute fine painting in Quincy, Illinois, St. Louis, and Kansas City, Missouri, and Denver, Colorado, and other western cities. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church of Louisiana. He is a Knight of Pythias and member of Archer Lodge No. 60, of Louisiana.

Samuel REID, manager of the Sam REID Tobacco Manufactory of Louisiana, was born near New Hope, Lincoln County, Missouri, October 1, 1848. When he was about six years of age his parents, Thomas A. and Martha J. (MCCAMPBELL) REID, came to Louisiana, where he was reared and educated in the common school. When fourteen he began to work in the tobacco factory of VANHORN, MURRAY & Co., of Louisiana, and worked all the various departments from that of stemmer to roller or lump maker. In 1864, he enlisted in Company E, Forty-ninth Regiment Missouri Volunteer Infantry, under E. P. DYER, and served until the close of the war, when he returned to Louisiana and attended school one year and then took a course of book-keeping at a commercial college at St. Louis. During 1869 he was employed as a clerk in the millinery and fancy goods store of HESSER & JOHNSON, and in 1870 he accepted a position as book-keeper in the tobacco manufactory of A. TINSLEY, and was with him and his successors, A. TINSLEY & Co., until 1879. In 1878, while in the employ of A. TINSLEY & Co., he began the manufacture of smoking tobacco in a small way. Leaving his employers in 1870 he enlarged his business, and soon after A. TINSLEY and A. J. MCCUNE became associated with him in the firm name of Samuel REID & Co. In 1882 Fred DANT of Muscatine, Iowa, became one of the company, when they changed the firm name to the Sam REID Tobacco Manufacturing company, of which he is the business manger. Much credit is due Mr. REID for his business standing. He started out his life when very young, with nothing, and educated and maintained himself by his own earnings, and by his energy and perseverance he has placed himself among the leading manufactures of Louisiana city. He is a member of the school board of the city, and in 1875, being a member of the Loan and Building Association of Louisiana, he was elected  treasurer, but resigned the following year and accepted the office of director, and served as such until disorganized. In 1880, when he was one of the originators of the present Pike County Loan and Building Association. He has been twice married. He married for his first wife, Annie, daughter of Addison TINSLEY of Louisiana city, in September, 1869, who died April 1871. His second wife was Ann Eliza daughter of John A. YOUNG, of Louisiana, whom he married January 19, 1872, by whom he had five children; Julia, Anna, Willard, George, and Florence. Himself and wife are members of the First Presbyterian Church of Louisiana, of which he is deacon. He is a Master Mason and Member of Globe Lodge No. 495, A. F. & A.M., of Louisiana.