BIO:  J. D. 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 528-529
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  NOTE: Use this web address to access other bios:
  http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/zeamer/


    J. D. REA, who has lived retired on the old homestead in West Pennsboro
  township, Cumberland county, for about thirty years, was born on that place
  in 1840, son of George and Isabella (Dunlop) Rea. His father was reared in
  Bedford county, this State, and came to Cumberland county about 1830. His
  family consisted of seven children, four sons and three daughters, of whom J.
  D. is the only survivor.
  
    Mr. Rea began his education in the public school of the home district,
  later attended the academy at Newville for three years, and then went to a
  school at Plainfield. He taught one term, in West Pennsboro township.
  However, he had been trained to farming and decided to adopt that calling,
  
    CUMBERLAND COUNTY.  529
  
  looking after the cultivation of the old Rea homestead, in which work he
  was very successful. However, he has long since relinquished active labor,
  his youngest son now managing the place, our subject giving his attention to
  the business connected with his various interests. He has taken the interest
  of a public-spirited citizen in the welfare of his locality, and has been
  honored with election to most of the local offices, having served acceptably
  as school director, township supervisor and member of the election board of
  his township. His leisure has given him the opportunity to indulge his
  tastes, and he has traveled extensively over both the United States and
  Europe. The farm on which Mr. Rea makes his home comprises 135 acres of
  valuable land, and he also has other holdings.
  
    On Feb. 10, 1861, Mr. Rea was married to Miss Elizabeth McCullough, by whom
  he had three children: G. Arthur, who operates the Big Spring Mill; Charles
  E., who is engaged in the United States mail service as mail carrier in
  Harrisburg; and Mary, who is the wife of Samuel Stuart, and lives in
  Carlisle, Cumberland county. The mother of these died in 1871, after a few
  days' illness, and in 1874 Mr. Rea married Miss Annie H. Hall, of Jersey
  City. Of the children born to this union one survives, Dudley, who married
  Mattie Searight, of Cumberland county, and has two children, Glen and
  Searight. Mrs. Annie H. Rea died in 1883, and in 1885 Mr. Rea married Miss
  Annie E. Sheller, daughter of Dr. Adam Sheller, a prominent physician of Mt.
  Joy, Lancaster Co., Pa. The family is identified with the United Presbyterian
  Church at Newville. No man in the community has higher standing among his
  fellow citizens than J. D. Rea, and his family does credit to excellent home
  training and Christian influences. In 1868 he became connected with Big Spring
  Lodge, No. 361, F. & A. M., of which he is now past master, and he is past
  high priest of St. Johns Chapter, of Carlisle; past eminent commander of St.
  John's Commandery, Philadelphia Consistory. About 1870 he represented his
  lodge at grand lodge.