David Reed was born near Shelbyville, OH in 1840, and was brought up on a farm near that place, where he received a good common school education. After teaching school two years at his home in Ohio, in 1861 he came with his parents to Coldspring, Shelby County, ILL where he taught school during the winter of 1861-62. On August 12, 1862, he enlisted in Company F, and upon the organization of the company was elected second sergeant. In January, 1863 he was made first sergeant, and on March 30, 1863, was promoted to the position of second lieutenant. He was with his company and regiment in all of its campaigns until shoe on September 20, 1863, in the battle of Chickamauga. While gallantly leading his company in action, of which he was then in command, he received the shot which resulted in his death two days later. Lt. Reed was a capable officer and a good disciplinarian, faithful to every duty and greatly esteemed by all who knew him.