Reid, John Wilson

Reid, John Wilson a Presbyterian minister, was born in Cabarras Co., N. C., in 1807. He pursued his early studies amid many embarrassing circumstances. and his literary and scientific studies chiefly under Dr. John Robinson, of North Carolina. In 1831 he removed to Georgia and opened a classical school, during which time he studied theology under the direction of S. K. Talmage, D.D., of Augusta, Ga., was licensed by Hopewell Presbytery in September, 1833, and soon after ordained by the same presbytery, and was subsequentIv connected with Olivet, South Liberty, Lincoliton, Double Branches, Salem, Woodstock, Bethany, and Lexington churches, and also as a general domestic missioniry agent. He died at his residence in Woodstock, Ga., July 11, 1867, Mr. Reid for about thirty years laboriously followed the occupation of teaching in connection with the exercise of his ministry. The village of Woodstock, Oglethorpe Co., Ga., was built up by the subject of this sketch and a few other gentlemen of wealth and intelligence, for the sake of social, educational, and religious privileges. For a few years Mr. Reid carried on simply a high-school; but his capacity, skill, and success in training young men rapidly increased his reputation: it was thought, therefore, advisable to secure still greater privileges by establishing a more regular organization. Consequently, quite a full literary, classical, and scientific curriculum was arranged in four divisions, and the school henceforth took the name of Philomathean Collegiate Institute. The change was made at the suggestion and by the aid of the Hon. Alexander H. Stephens, and the organization accomplished all that its friends expected. See Wilson, Presbyterian Historical Almanac, 1868, p. 365. (J. L. S.)