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Below is a family biography included in the Biographical Annals of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania published in 1904 by T. S. Benham & Company and The Lewis Publishing Company; Elwood Roberts, Editor.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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JOHN H. REX. The Rex family are of German origin, having come to this country a century and a half ago. Levi Rex (great-grandfather), was a resident of Chestnut Hill. He married Catharine Riter, the couple having a large family of children. Among his children was John Rex (grandfather), who married Sarah Lentz. The couple lived on a farm in Whitpain township which descended to him from his father, Levi Rex. John Rex was an active Whig, and on retiring from the farm, removed to Norristown, where he lived at the location on Main street afterwards occupied by Dr. Louis W. Read, and now by Dr. A. H. Read and sister.

John S. Rex (father) married Charlotte Hobensack, a member of a well-known family in that section of Montgomery county. John H. Rex was born in Whitpain township, September 18, 1870. He attended successively the public schools of the neighborhood; Sunnyside School, Ambler, conducted for many years by the Misses Knight; the William Penn Charter School, a Friends’ institution, founded more than two centuries ago and located on Twelfth street below Market, Philadelphia; the University of Pennsylvania, in the Arts Department, where he studied two years preparatory to the law course, entering the law department in 1890. After some time spent in study, his health became impaired and be went west, residing at Colorado Springs for a year or more. Having recovered completely, he returned to Montgomery county and became a law student under the late Charles Hunsicker, and on his death, continued his legal studies with the late Henry R. Brown. He was admitted to the bar in June, 1896. About five years ago he located with Mr. Brown in Historical Hall where he has continued his legal practice with considerable success. In 1900 he was elected a member of the town council of Norristown, serving for three years, and resigning during the term because he has been nominated and elected a member of the house of representatives of Pennsylvania, on the Republican ticket, in November, 1902.

Mr. Rex, as well as his parents, took up his residence in Norristown more than a dozen years ago, they occupying elegant residences on West Main street. Mr. Rex married Emily, daughter of Dr. George T. Harvey, and Mary, his wife (deceased), of Doylestown, Pennsylvania. The Harveys are an old Bucks county family, their ancestors being among the early settlers of that part of the state. The couple have one child, Robert Bertram, born June 24, 1902. As a member of the town council Mr. Rex was progressive, public spirited and an earnest advocate of borough improvements of every kind. He was one of the most active as well as most useful members of that body. In the legislature Mr. Rex took a very active part in business, being a member of several important committees and introducing many notable measures.

In politics Mr. Rex has made a reputation as an earnest and aggressive Republican, a pleasing and powerful speaker, and an indefatigable worker for party success. During the campaign of 1902, when he was a candidate for assemblyman, he visited all sections of the county, speaking in behalf of the election of Samuel W. Pennypacker for governor, and his party ticket, contributing greatly to the splendid majority recorded in November of that year. His ability as a public speaker was generally recognized by his party associates and by Republican leaders.

In addition to his labors in law and politics, Mr. Rex has engaged very successfully in building houses in West Norristown, as well as in other sections of the borough. Either alone or in conjunction with others, he has erected elegant residences on Lafayette, Oak, Main, George and Kohn streets, and Forest Avenue, in the sale of which he has been remarkably successful. Mr. Rex is a member of the Masonic order, the B. P. O. E. and of the Historical Society of Montgomery county, Pennsylvania. He is also a member of the Protestant Episcopal Church.

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This family biography is one of more than 1,000 biographies included in the Biographical Annals of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania published in 1904 by T. S. Benham & Company and The Lewis Publishing Company.  For the complete description, click here: Biographical Annals of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania

View additional Montgomery County, Pennsylvania family biographies here: Montgomery County, Pennsylvania Biographies

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