My Genealogy Hound

GEORGE ARTHUR REA, one of the prominent business men of Newton township, Cumberland county, proprietor of the Big Spring Roller Mills, and a resident of Big Spring, was born April 25, 1862, in West Pennsboro township. The Rea family came originally from the North of Ireland and was founded in Pennsylvania by the great-grandfather of our subject.

James Dunlap Rea, father of George Arthur, was born Feb. 20, 1838, in West Pennsboro township, son of George and Martha (Dunlap) Rea, the former of whom was born in 1801, in Bedford county, Pa. James Dunlap Rea married Elizabeth McCullough, born in 1837, in Dickinson township, Cumberland county, daughter of David and Betsy (Coyle) McCullough, of Perry county, Pa. After marriage they located on the old Rea homestead of 140 acres, in West Pennsboro township, where Mr. Rea carried on general farming and stock raising for some years, and then entered into a mercantile business. Later he was interested also in a milling and a banking business, with his father, George Rea, who was a member of the firm of Rea, Gray & Co., of the First National Bank of Newville. Mr. Rea still survives, now being a retired farmer and business man of West Pennsboro township. The three survivors of his family of seven children are: Charles, who is connected with the Harrisburg postoffice; Mary L., wife of Samuel Stuart, resides at Mooredale, Cumberland county; and George Arthur.

George Arthur Rea obtained his education in the local schools, and enjoyed the advantages of one term at the private school of Prof. H. H. Longsdorf, at Centerville. After leaving school he returned to the farm for five years, and then engaged for two years in the insurance business. Since 1892 he has been interested in the Big Spring Roller Mills, his father at that time being the senior partner of the firm of J. D. Rea & Son. After three or four years the elder Rea sold his interests to G. A. Rea and L. J. McLeaf, the firm then becoming Rea & McLeaf. Three years later our subject bought Mr. McLeafs interest, since which time he has been sole proprietor. The Big Spring Roller Mills are located on Big Spring, a stream which has more than a State reputation for fine trout fishing. The motive power is water, and the plant is fitted with modern machinery rollers and separators and all necessary appliances for the production of seventy-five barrels of superior flour a day, which does not fill the demands of the trade through the local markets and adjacent towns. In addition to flour, the firm has installed a hydraulic cider press, which is run satisfactorily in connection with the other industry. For the past twenty years the business has been carried on successfully, our subject being his own able manager.

On Jan. 5, 1888, Mr. Rea married Mary Isabel Beattie, daughter of H. C. and Isabel (Brown) Beattie, of Cumberland county, and to this union three children have been born: Scott Coyle, Linn McCullough and Paul Clark. Both Mr. and Mrs. Rea are members of the Big Spring Church at Newville. Although a stanch Republican Mr. Rea has always declined political honors. Fraternally, he is a member of the Royal Arcanum, and is very prominent in the Masonic bodies, belonging to Big Spring Lodge, No. 361, A. F. & A. M.; St. John’s Chapter, No. 171, R. A. M.; and St. John’s Commandery, Knights Templar, being Past Eminent Commander. Mr. Rea enjoys the respect and regard of his fellow citizens, with whom he has held business and social relations for so many years. He not only is a worthy representative of an old family, but ranks with the most progressive and enterprising men of his community.