Career
Born in Westford, Massachusetts, he moved to Milwaukee, Michigan Territory, in 1834, and then to the town of Summit in Waukesha County, Wisconsin where he farmed. He then moved to Menasha, Wisconsin in 1845, where he helped Charles Doty with surveying the land. He also help developed the Fox River and Doty Island.
In 1846, Reed served in the Wisconsin Territorial Council and the Wisconsin State Assembly in 1853 and 1861.
Curtis Reed settled in Menasha, where he served as mayor (1890–1891), on the Menasha Common Council, and postmaster (1886–1889 and 1893–1895). He help developed the Menasha-Neenah area.
He died in Menasha, Wisconsin and was buried at Oak Hill Cemetery in Neenah.
