John Rea (politician)
Encyclopedia
John Rea was an early 19th century American politician
. Rea was born at "Rea’s Mansion," near Chambersburg, Pennsylvania
Rea served as lieutenant and captain with the Cumberland County
Militia
during the Revolutionary War
. On October 20, 1784, Rea was commissioned the first coroner
of Franklin County
, Pennsylvania.
Soon after, he was elected to Pennsylvania House of Representatives
in 1785, 1786, 1789, 1790, 1792, 1793, 1801, and 1802. Also, Rea was the county auditor in 1793 and 1794.
He was elected as a Republican for the state of Pennsylvania
to the Eight Congress and also served in the three succeeding Congresses (March 4, 1803 – March 3, 1810). He then served in the War of 1812
as major general of the Eleventh Division of Militia.
Following the death of Robert Whitehill
, Rea was elected to the Thirteenth Congress, and served from May 11, 1813 until March 3, 1815. He then became a member of the Pennsylvania State Senate
, serving in 1823 and 1824, when he resigned.
Rea died in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania
, on February 26, 1829. He is currently buried at Rocky Spring Churchyard, near Chambersburg, Pennsylvania
.
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
. Rea was born at "Rea’s Mansion," near Chambersburg, Pennsylvania
Chambersburg, Pennsylvania
Chambersburg is a borough in the South Central region of Pennsylvania, United States. It is miles north of Maryland and the Mason-Dixon line and southwest of Harrisburg in the Cumberland Valley, which is part of the Great Appalachian Valley. Chambersburg is the county seat of Franklin County...
Rea served as lieutenant and captain with the Cumberland County
Cumberland County, Pennsylvania
Cumberland County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania and is one of three counties comprising the Harrisburg–Carlisle Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2010, the population was 235,406.-History:...
Militia
Militia
The term militia is commonly used today to refer to a military force composed of ordinary citizens to provide defense, emergency law enforcement, or paramilitary service, in times of emergency without being paid a regular salary or committed to a fixed term of service. It is a polyseme with...
during the Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
. On October 20, 1784, Rea was commissioned the first coroner
Coroner
A coroner is a government official who* Investigates human deaths* Determines cause of death* Issues death certificates* Maintains death records* Responds to deaths in mass disasters* Identifies unknown dead* Other functions depending on local laws...
of Franklin County
Franklin County, Pennsylvania
As of the census of 2000, there were 129,313 people, 50,633 households, and 36,405 families residing in the county. The population density was 168 people per square mile . There were 53,803 housing units at an average density of 70 per square mile...
, Pennsylvania.
Soon after, he was elected to Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives is the lower house of the bicameral Pennsylvania General Assembly, the legislature of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. There are 203 members, elected for two year terms from single member districts....
in 1785, 1786, 1789, 1790, 1792, 1793, 1801, and 1802. Also, Rea was the county auditor in 1793 and 1794.
He was elected as a Republican for the state of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
to the Eight Congress and also served in the three succeeding Congresses (March 4, 1803 – March 3, 1810). He then served in the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
as major general of the Eleventh Division of Militia.
Following the death of Robert Whitehill
Robert Whitehill (Pennsylvania)
Robert Whitehill was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania.Robert Whitehill was born in Pequea, Pennsylvania. He settled in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania...
, Rea was elected to the Thirteenth Congress, and served from May 11, 1813 until March 3, 1815. He then became a member of the Pennsylvania State Senate
Pennsylvania State Senate
The Pennsylvania State Senate has been meeting since 1791. It is the upper house of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, the Pennsylvania state legislature. The State Senate meets in the State Capitol building in Harrisburg. Senators are elected for four year terms, staggered every two years such...
, serving in 1823 and 1824, when he resigned.
Rea died in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania
Chambersburg, Pennsylvania
Chambersburg is a borough in the South Central region of Pennsylvania, United States. It is miles north of Maryland and the Mason-Dixon line and southwest of Harrisburg in the Cumberland Valley, which is part of the Great Appalachian Valley. Chambersburg is the county seat of Franklin County...
, on February 26, 1829. He is currently buried at Rocky Spring Churchyard, near Chambersburg, Pennsylvania
Chambersburg, Pennsylvania
Chambersburg is a borough in the South Central region of Pennsylvania, United States. It is miles north of Maryland and the Mason-Dixon line and southwest of Harrisburg in the Cumberland Valley, which is part of the Great Appalachian Valley. Chambersburg is the county seat of Franklin County...
.