Education
Born near New Marion, Indiana, Rea attended the common schools. He studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1862, and commenced practice in Savannah, Missouri, in 1863.
United States representative politician
Born near New Marion, Indiana, Rea attended the common schools. He studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1862, and commenced practice in Savannah, Missouri, in 1863.
He engaged in agricultural pursuits near Rosendale. He taught school in the country 1849-1854. During the Civil War he enlisted in the Union Army and served successively as first lieutenant, captain, quartermaster, and lieutenant colonel.
He resumed the practice of his profession in Savannah.
Rea was elected as a Democrat to the Forty-fourth and Forty-fifth Congresses (March 4, 1875-March 3, 1879), but he failed reelection in 1878. He practiced law in Savannah, Missouri, until his death in that city on June 13, 1901.
He was interred in the City Cemetery.
He served as member of the board of education.