Rea, John 1827 - 1910

REA, WHARTON, THAYER, LEAK

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 1/1/2010 at 10:26:58

Death of John Rea
Passes into Rest After Three Years of Suffering.

John Rea was born in Harrison County, Ohio, March 17, 1827, and died in Newton, Jan. 27, 1910, being almost eighty-three years of age at the time of his death. His early life was spent in Ohio. On March 27, 1848, he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Wharton of Cumberland, Guernsey County, Ohio. In 1854 Mr. and Mrs. Rea came to Iowa and settled in Cedar County, where he was engaged in farming, and later in the mercantile business in Wheatland, until October 1871, when they came to Newton, where he again engaged in the mercantile business, afterwards moving to a farm six miles north of this city, where on the 29th day of April, 1890, Mrs. Rea died, after a happy married life of forty-two years.

But one child was born to them, a little son, who died in early childhood. Mrs. T. M. Rodgers of this city was taken into their home when but ten years of age and remained with them for eight years until her marriage.

Five years ago Mr. Rea left the farm and came to town. For the past four years he has been in failing health and for nearly three years he has been tenderly cared for at the sanatorium, much of the time totally helpless, his long, patient suffering eliciting the warmest sympathy of a host of friends.

Father Rea joined the Presbyterian Church when a young man, but after his marriage, went with his wife into the Methodist Episcopal Church and remained faithful to his Christian vows throughout the remainder of his long life, loving the church and all its doctrines. When the present M. E. Church was built he and his wife were the largest contributors and among the most faithful and untiring workers in enterprise.

Mr. Rea had been a member of the Masonic lodge for over a half century and was greatly attached to the order. During his long illness his Masonic brothers have been among his most faithful and devoted friends, brothers indeed, who have given him that substantial aid which is characteristic of true Masonry. While Father Rea’s lips are now sealed in death and unable to speak of his gratitude to the order, to the church and to individual friends, his kindred and friends will ever hold them in the kindest remembrance for their generosity and unselfish devotion to him. This gratitude is also extended to Miss Mary Robb who so tenderly and patiently nursed and cared for him during the three years he was in the Robb Sanatorium. Money alone could never repay her for her untiring faithfulness during that time.

Father Rea is survived by one sister, Mrs. Margaret Thayer, two years older than himself, living in Guthrie Center, this state. Age and affliction prevented her being with him during his last illness.

Funeral services were held in the First M. E. Church on Friday afternoon, conducted by the Pastor, Rev. W. H. Perdew. Many old friends and neighbors were in attendance, and beautiful flowers were sent to the Sanatorium where the body had remained until taken to the church. Two beautiful numbers were sung by the quartet, Messrs. Fred Meredith, William Blaylock, W. P. Watters and Fred Hough, with Miss Cora Long as organist. Mr. Hough also sang with much feeling the Solo, “Weary the Waiting,” so appropriate to the “long, weary waiting” of Father Rea, before deliverance came. The bearers were Capt. F. W. Cozad, George T. Anderson, J. M Woodrow, Chris. Griebeling, R. K. Lambert and George Shenton. After the sermon O N. Wagley gave part of the Masonic burial service at the church and it was finished at the cemetery. The remains were laid to rest beneath the snow by the side of the companion of his young manhood, whose body had been resting where – waiting for his coming-for almost a score of years.

A nephew and niece, Mr. J. T. Thayer of Des Moines and Mrs. Lizzie Leak of Guthrie Center, were present at the funeral services. ~ Newspaper unknown.