Biography of JOHN BUTLER READER


History of Walworth County Wisconsin
by Albert Clayton Beckwith

1912

B. F. Bowen & Company
Indianapolis, Indiana

Pages 1035-1036

JOHN BUTLER READER

     Success as a business man is not attained by the indolent and unobserving, 
but by the diligent, persistent and close observer, and these qualities seem to 
be possessed by John Butler Reader, of Delavan, another of the worthy native 
sons of Walworth county, who represents an excellent old family and who has so 
conducted himself that he has met wth a fair measure of success in a material 
way all along the line and at the same time has kept the good name of the 
family unsmirched.
     Mr. Reader received his education in the public schools of the city of 
Delavan, and when twenty years of age he began his business career by accepting 
a position with Fairbanks, Morse & Company, of Chicago, continuing in their 
employ for a period of two years, giving them entire sastisfaction. He then 
returned to Delavan in 1883 and began manufacturing windmills and tanks, which 
business he has continued to the present with ever-increasing success, the 
superiority of his product being universally recognized, hence are eagerly 
sought after. He is well equipped in every respect for the manufacture of these 
lines and only the most skilled artisans are employed. He is also agent for the 
famous Fairbanks, Morse & Company's private light and pumping gasoline engine 
and dynamos, and enjoys an excellent business, which is rapidly growing. He has 
a good location at the corner of Seventh and Wisconsin streets.
     Mr. Reader was married on January 8, 1891, to Alice M. Smith, daughter of 
Ross S. and Elizabeth (Brooke) Smith, a sketch of whom appears on another page 
of this work. Suffice it to say here that, like the Reader family, they have 
long been among our highly esteemed citizens. To Mr. and Mrs. Reader two 
children have been born, named as follows: Frank Clifford, born November 26, 
1891, died October 25, 1897, and Marliene Elizabeth, born January 29, 1901.
     Mr. Reader has a commodious and modernly appointed home at the corner of 
Walworth and Seventh streets, and has also built several other fine houses in 
the city of Delavan.
     Mr. Reader has also found time to perform his full duty as a public 
spirited citizen. He was a member of the city council six years, and for 
fourteen years has been a member of the board of trustees of Spring Grove 
cemetery, being on the executive committee of the board for the last ten years. 
He is also a member of the water commission in the city of Delavan, having 
served in that capacity several years.

Submitted By:  Allan Reader
   (areadr@excite.com)