Hon. J. M. Rea

REA, MOFFETT, RAYMOND

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 11/13/2011 at 10:26:21

HON. J. M. REA, a member of the firm of Rea & Wood, attorneys-at-law of Grundy Centre, Iowa, claims Pennsylvania as the state of his nativity. He was born in Chester County, March 1, 1846, and is a son of George Rea, a carpenter by trade, who still makes his home in Grundy Centre. Our subject spent the first eight years of his life in the Keystone State, and in 1854 emigrated westward, locating in Carroll County, Ill. After removing to that state, he attended Mr. Carroll Seminary, and in 1863 entered the Chicago University, from which he was graduated in 1867, having completed the scientific source.

Making choice of a profession which he wished to make his life work, we find Mr. Rea engaged in reading law in the office of C. B. Smith, of Mt. Carroll, Ill. After continuing his studies in this direction for two years, he was admitted to the Bar of Illinois in 1869. In August, 1870, he came to Grundy Centre, Iowa, where he at once opened an office and began practice. He was one of the first attorneys in this county, and has engaged in the prosecution of his profession continuously since. His deep researches and close study, combined with natural ability and good oratorical powers, have won him prominence at the Bar and gained for him a large practice. Other work has to some extent occupied his attention, for he was connected for a time with F. G. Moffett in the publication of the Grundy County Atlas, a newspaper of which the present Grundy County Republican is the successor. His partner served as local editor, while he was the political editor.

In 1875 Mr. Rea was united in marriage with Miss Ann Raymond, and unto them have been born two children, who are yet living, viz.: George and Ralph. In connection with his other interests, Mr. Rea is a Director in the Grundy County National Bank. He aided in its organization, and has served as Director since that time. He also owns two hundred and forty acres of land in this county. He has been in active practice longer than any other lawyer here, and his enviable reputation is well merited.

Socially, our subject is a Knight Templar Mason, and in religious belief he is a Baptist. He belongs to the church of that denomination in Grundy Centre, and is now serving as one of its Trustees. In politics he has ever taken a very prominent part. Since attaining his majority he has been a stalwart Republican, and has been a prominent worker in the ranks of the party. He has frequently served as a delegate to the county, congressional and state conventions, and was alternate to the National Convention in 1884. In 1871 he was elected County Superintendent of Schools, and acceptably filled that position for two years. On the 7th of November, 1893, he was elected State Senator from the Thirty-eighth District, and, arguing from his past career, his fellow-townsmen feel assured that they will have in him an able and competent representative in the senatorial chamber.

Source:
Portrait and Biographical Record
of Jasper, Marshall and Grundy Counties, Iowa
1894