John REA, Congress, PA (1755-1829)

1755-1829

REA, John, a Representative from Pennsylvania; born at “Rea’s Mansion,” near Chambersburg, Pa., January 27, 1755; completed preparatory studies; served as lieutenant and captain with the Cumberland County (Pa.) Militia during the Revolutionary War; commissioned the first coroner of Franklin County, Pa., on October 20, 1784; member of the State house of representatives in 1785, 1786, 1789, 1790, 1792, 1793, 1801, and 1802; county auditor in 1793 and 1794; elected as a Republican to the Eighth and to the three succeeding Congresses (March 4, 1803-March 3, 1811); was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1810 to the Twelfth Congress; served in the War of 1812 as major general of the Eleventh Division of Militia; elected to the Thirteenth Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Robert Whitehill and served from May 11, 1813, to March 3, 1815; member of the State senate in 1823 and 1824, when he resigned; died in Chambersburg, Franklin County, Pa., February 26, 1829; interment in Rocky Spring Churchyard, near Chambersburg, Pa.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present