Robert Rea
Robert Rea, farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. London, was born on a farm in Union Township, this county (now in the corporate limits of London), September 6, 1831. His father. Matthew Rea, was born in Rockbridge County, Va., June 22, 1793, and died at the house of his son-in-law, Marion Chenoweth, in Fairfield Township, September 23, 1873, aged eighty years. He removed with his father, Joseph, to Ross County, Ohio, in 1810, and was subsequently in the American Army, when Gen. Hull surrendered his forces to the British at Detroit, Mich. He first visited Madison County in 1812, and purchased a large tract of land in Oak Run Township. In 1818, he removed to Madison County, and up to within a few years of his death was one of the largest live-stock dealers in the county. Mr. Rea was as largely identified with the growth and prosperity of Madison County as any within its borders; he was a man of rare good judgment, fine business qualifications, renowned for his probity - a man whose word was as good as his bond. He married Ann Amos, a native of Maryland; they were the parents of seven children, only three living, and those residents of this county. Mrs. Rea departed this life in 1857. The subject of this notice grew to manhood on the old homestead, and when young assisted his father in his stock operations, gaining a thorough knowledge of the business. He has been engaged in farming, and the raising, grazing and feeding of stock all through life. He resided in Oak Run Township till 1870, when he removed to his present residence on South Main street, London. Mr. Rea is the owner of 1,250 acres of land in Oak Run Township, and is still engaged in handling stock. He is Democratic in politics, and since his residence in London has served one term as member of the Village Council. He was united in marriage, September, 1856, to Ann Thomas, sister of M. M. and Owen Thomas, of London. One daughter was born to them -- Anna Laura (wife of John Pancake. who resides on the home farm in Oak Run Township). Mrs. Rea departed this life in September, 1858, and Mr. Rea was again married, March 13, 1862, to Louisa G. Bales, a native of this county, and a daughter of Moses Bales, of Fairfield Township.
From HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY - W. H. Beers [Chicago, 1883]