BIO:  GEORGE ARTHUR REA, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania
   
  Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Joe Patterson
  OCRed by Judy Banja

  Copyright 2004.  All rights reserved.
  http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
  http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/
  _____________________________________________________________

  >From Biographical Annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania,
  Chicago: The Genealogical Publishing Co., 1905, pages 512-513
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  NOTE: Use this web address to access other bios:
  http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/zeamer/


     GEORGE ARTHUR REA, one of the prominent business men of Newton township,
  Cumberland county, proprietor of the Big Spring Roller Mills, and a resident
  of Big Spring, was born April 25, 1862, in West Pennsboro township. The Rea
  family came originally from the North of Ireland and was founded in
  Pennsylvania by the great-grandfather of our subject.
  
    James Dunlap Rea, father of George Arthur, was born Feb. 20, 1838, in West
  Pennsboro township, son of George and Martha (Dunlap) Rea, the former of whom
  was born in 1801, in Bedford county, Pa. James Dunlap Rea married Elizabeth
  McCullough, born in 1837, in Dickinson township, Cumberland county, daughter
  of David and Betsy (Coyle) McCullough, of Perry county, Pa. After marriage
  they located on the old Rea homestead of 140 acres, in West Pennsboro
  township, where Mr. Rea carried on general farming and stock raising for some
  years, and then entered into a mercantile business. Later he was interested
  also in a milling and a banking business, with his father, George Rea, who
  was a member of the firm of Rea, Gray & Co., of the First National Bank of
  Newville. Mr. Rea still survives, now being a retired farmer and business man
  of West Pennsboro township. The three survivors of his family of seven
  children are: Charles, who is connected with
  
    CUMBERLAND COUNTY.  513
  
  the Harrisburg postoffice; Mary L., wife of Samuel Stuart, resides at
  Mooredale, Cumberland county; and George Arthur.
  
    George Arthur Rea obtained his education in the local schools, and enjoyed
  the advantages of one term at the private school of Prof. H. H. Longsdorf, at
  Centerville. After leaving school he returned to the farm for five years, and
  then engaged for two years in the insurance business. Since 1892 he has been
  interested in the Big Spring Roller Mills, his father at that time being the
  senior partner of the firm of J. D. Rea & Son. After three or four years the
  elder Rea sold his interests to G. A. Rea and L. J. McLeaf, the firm then
  becoming Rea & McLeaf. Three years later our subject bought Mr. McLeaf's
  interest, since which time he has been sole proprietor. The Big Spring Roller
  Mills are located on Big Spring, a stream which has more than a State
  reputation for fine trout fishing; The motive power is water, and the plant
  is fitted with modern machinery rollers and separators and all necessary
  appliances for the production of seventy-five barrels of superior flour a
  day, which does not fill the demands of the trade through the local markets
  and adjacent towns. In addition to flour, the firm has installed a hydraulic
  cider press, which is run satisfactorily in connection with the other
  industry. For the past twenty years the business has been carried on
  successfully, our subject being his own able manager.
  
    On Jan. 5, 1888, Mr. Rea married Mary Isabel Beattie, daughter of H. C. and
  Isabel (Brown) Beattie, of Cumberland county, and to this union three children
  have been born: Scott Coyle, Linn McCullough and Paul Clark. Both Mr. and Mrs.
  Rea are members of the Big Spring Church at Newville. Although a stanch
  Republican Mr. Rea has always declined political honors.
  
    Fraternally, he is a member of the Royal Arcanum, and is very prominent in
  the Masonic bodies, belonging to Big Spring Lodge, No. 361, A. F. & A. M.;
  St. John's Chapter, No. 171, R. A. M.; and St. John's Commandery, Knights
  Templar, being Past Eminent Commander. Mr. Rea enjoys the respect and regard
  of his fellow citizens, with whom he has held business and social relations
  for so many years. He not only is a worthy representative of an old family,
  but ranks with the most progressive and enterprising men of his community.