Born in Manchester, Reed attended the public schools and received instruction from private tutors.

He studied law, then engaged in the construction contracting business, serving as director and officer of numerous New England and New York corporations.

He was appointed by President Wilson to the Philippine Commission and served as secretary of commerce and police in 1916.

He was an unsuccessful candidate for United States Senator in 1918, then engaged in the general export business in New York 1919–1922.

This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress