John Thorley Reeder was born in Detroit on August 18, 1857, and was educated in the Detroit High School and Mayhew Business College in Detroit. Following his graduation he entered the office of the Detroit and Lake Superior Copper Works with his father who was a chief clerk for the concern for 40 years. When the Detroit Works closed in 1897 Mr. Reeder went to the Michigan Copper Country as chief clerk of the Osceola mine office at Osceola under the late Captain John Daniel. Later he was transferred to the Tamarack mine office and when the Calumet & Hecla Mining Co. gained control of the Bigelow interests, he was transferred to the Calumet & Hecla office as chief clerk and purchasing agent of the Tamarack, Osceola, Ahmeek and Isle Royale mines. He held this position from August, 1906 to May 31, 1919. Mr. Reeder was a resident of Houghton for 30 years. He was active in the Keweenaw Historical Society of which he was a charter member. He later became president of the society and in 1913 was made a life member. He was a trustee of the First Congregational Church of Hancock, and was also a member of the Portage Township School Board on which he served from 1913 to July, 1922, when he resigned. He served as president of the board from 1914 up to the time of his retirement. Mr. Reeder was a great lover of outdoor life and owned a famous collection of outdoor photos which included wild life, plants and flowers. He also acquired a fine collection of stamps, coins, Indian relics and minerals. John Thorley Reeder passed away in 1937, after a long illness.
From the description of John T. Reeder Photograph Collection, Circa 1867-Circa 1967. (Michigan Technological University). WorldCat record id: 759114947
