Résumé

Francis W. Reid was also a Congregationalist minister as well as being an architect.

Partner, Reid and [G.C.] Meeker, Architects, San Jose, CA, 1893.

Principal, F.W. Reid, Architect, Concord, CA, c. 1913. In 1913, Reid consulted with various members of Concord city government. He worked with the Concord School Board on an addition to a school there. The Martinez Daily Standard wrote in 11/1913: “Bids are invited by the Concord school board for an additional room to the grammar school according to plans drawn by Architect F.W. Reid. It is proposed during next year to erect a handsome and substantial four room primary class building to cost not less than $10,000 to be met, of course, by a bond issue which the active members of the board are confident will be voted for when submitted to the people. The board consists of Messrs. Walter Williams, Thomas Smith and Jos. Williams, who have been wrestling with the problem of providing accommodations for the notable increase in the roll of pupils. They have been in consultation with Architect Francis W. Reid as to the best methods of getting more room and the additional class room to be paid for out of moneys in hand and the primary school building for which a bond issue is required are the solutions to the problems that confront them and will serve for such a time as conditions improve and the taxpayers feel justified in taking upon themselves the burden of an extensive structure which will have to come in a very few years.” (See “Primary Use in Plans of City Fathers,” Martinez Daily Standard, 11/13/1913, p. 1.)

Additionally Reid lobbied the Concord Board of Trustees to impose new fire and building codes: “The growth of Concord has reached a point where the city trustees must act in the matter of establishing fire limits and provide building restrictions,’ said Architect Francis W. Reid. ‘It is no encouragement to anyone to erect substantial structures in the business section,’ said Mr. Reid, “when the owner of adjoining property may put up a rookery. The establishment of reasonable fire limits will be an inducement for property owners to improve substantially. Building restrictions should be established by ordinance such as exist in other and well regulated communities. I mean, of course, such regulations that will adjust themselves to conditions here.’ Mr. Reid has consulted the members of the board of trustees in regard to establishing fire limits and the passage of a building ordinance and it is more than probable that the suggestion will adopted within the next month or two.” (See “Fire Limits and Building Regulations for Concord,” Martinez Daily Standard, 11/13/1913, p. 1.)

Principal, F.W. Reid, Architect, San Jose, CA, 1924. Reid had an office in Room #95 of the Ryland Building in San Jose. He shared this office with the architect Walter King in 1924. (See San Jose, California, City Directory, 1924, architects business directory section, n.p.)

Relocation

Francis W. Reid was born in ON, Canada. He probably resided southwest of Ottawa for a short time, but accompanied his family to San Jose, CA, by 1870, at least, perhaps earlier. As noted in the 1870 US Census, Francis's father William worked as a farm laborer in the Redwood Township of San Jose. At this time, William Reid had no real estate but owned about $375 of other assets. The household included his parents, younger sister Anna and a housekeeper, Abigail Cornwell (born c. 1819 in NJ). (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1870; Census Place: Redwood, Santa Clara, California; Roll: M593_88; Page: 125A, accessed 04/30/2025.)

By 1880, the Reids continued to reside in San Jose, CA, but at this time, it had its own farm. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1880; Census Place: San Jose, Santa Clara, California; Roll: 81; Page: 190b; Enumeration District: 262, accessed 04/30/2025.)

In 1893, Reid practiced as an architect with the firm of Reid and Meeker, but continued to live with his parents on the east side of Meridian Road, south of Willow Street in the Willows. (See San Jose, California, City Directory, 1893, p. 379.)

In 1908, Francis W. Reid resided at 1716 Hearst Avenue in Berkeley, CA. (See Oakland, California, City Directory, 1908, p. 1415.)

Reid lived and worked in Concord, CA, in Contra Costa County, CA, by 1913. (See "Fire Limits and Building Regulations for Concord," Martinez Daily Standard, 11/13/1913, p. 1.)

Reid and his wife Lynda dwelled in a house at 1630 Josephine Street in Berkeley in 1930. (See Oakland, California, City Directory, 1930, p. 1141.)

Reid was buried at the Madronia Cemetery in Saratoga, CA, alongside his wife.

Parents

His father was William Wilkinson Reid (born in Camden Township, ON, Canada-d. ), who worked as a farmer in San Jose, CA, by 1880.

21-year-old Eliza Jane Parker, his mother, married 22-year-old William on 01/01/1862 in Lennox and Addington County, ON, Canada. When they wed, Eliza lived in Sheffield Township and William in Richmond Township.

By 1900, William and Eliza resided in the Willow Glen neighborhood of San Jose, CA. (See Source Citation California State Library; Sacramento, California; Great Register of Voters, 1900-1906, accessed 04/30/2025.)

Francis had a younger sister, Anna J. Reid Wilson (born c. 1866 in ON, Canada), who resided in Berkeley, CA, at the time of his death in 1949.

Spouse

He wed Lynda Alexander.

Children

He and his wife had two daughters, Alice R. Reid Putnam and Edith R. Reid Tulin.