J. & H. Reed

It was in 1869, around October of that year, that James Reed started a combined undertaking and cabinetmaking business in Brisbane Street, Ipswich opposite the Shamrock Hotel. This enterprise would become a family affair and eventually be known as J. & H. Reed.

After James' death (c.1874), his son J. W. Reed took over supplying cabinetmaking and undertaking services to the town at their Brisbane Street address. In 1890, G. T. Rose a surgeon dentist, was located next door. In January 1891, J. W. Reed tendered to provide funeral services to Ipswich Hospital at a rate of £2 for adults and half that for children under 8 years old. Later that year in August, J. W. Reed moved his home and business opposite the Queensland Times office in Brisbane Street into premises previously occupied by J. F. Gilmore, Draper. A few years later Mr F. Goleby's new shop would be located next door. 

During the 1890s Reeds continued to import furniture. In  February1893 the company had the sad job of transferring those who died in the Eclipse Colliery Disaster at Tivoli to the morgue.

About 1915-1916  J. W. Reed's sons James Patterson Reed and Harold John Reed took over the business and  their father retired. At this time the firm became known as J. & H. Reed and were located with a new furniture warehouse at the corner of South & Nicholas Streets, opposite Central Gardens.  Harold died in 1940  leaving his brother James Patterson as sole proprietor. When J. P. Reed died soon afterwards, John William Reed his son, took control of J. & H. Reed. The company retained this name and continued to trade for many years after. The firm exists today in the form of Simplicity Funerals inc Reed & Bottcher in Roderick Street. In this way the Reed name lives on making it the oldest name in funerals and undertaking in Ipswich.