Chauncey Reed was born in West Chicago, Illinois. He was city treasurer of West Chicago, Illinois, in 1913 and 1914. He graduated from the Webster College of Law in Chicago, Illinois, in 1915. He was admitted to the bar that same year and commenced practice in Naperville, Illinois.
During the First World War, Reed served as a sergeant in the 86th Infantry Division. He resumed his law practice in Naperville upon his return from the war and was one of the founders of Naperville Post 43 serving as its first Post Commander.
Reed served as State's Attorney of DuPage County from 1920 to 1935 and also served as chairman of the DuPage County Republican Central Committee from 1926 to 1934. He was elected as a Republican to the 74th United States Congress in 1934 and was later reelected to the ten succeeding Congresses, and served from January 3, 1935, until his death in Bethesda, Maryland on February 9, 1956. He served as chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary for the 83rd Congress. Reed was interred in Glen Oak Cemetery in West Chicago, Illinois.
