Dr. Oliver A. Rea  

DR. OLIVER A. REA, one of the prominent medical and surgical practitioners of Indiana, has contributed his valued professional services and in his strong personality toward the special advancement of Culver for the past twenty-eight years.

A son of John W. and Lucinda M. (Wait) Rea and a grandson of David Rea, he is of Scotch-Irish ancestry, the latter settling in Culpeper County, Virginia, about the year 1760 and removing to Logan County, Ohio, in 1803. On the maternal side his ancestors were Puritans, migrating from Massachusetts to New York and thence to Ohio in 1836. His maternal grandmother, whose maiden name was Dunham, was a first cousin to John Hancock.

Dr. Oliver A. Rea received a common school education in the institutions of his native county, and after teaching several years attended the National Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio, from which he graduated in 1875 with the degree of B. S. A career of ten years as a teacher in the public schools of Ohio and Indiana followed, but in 1872 (before the conclusion of the decade) he commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Joshua R. Skidmore. Ten years before the commencement of his second professional career (in August, 1862) he had enlisted in Company H, Eighty-second Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and in the service of the Union cause participated in the following battles: Cedar Mountain, Rappahannock (seven days), Groveton (second Bull Run), Gettysburg, Wauhatchie Valley, Missionary Ridge, Resaca, New Hope Church, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, Sandersville, Monteith. Swamp, Savannah, Averysboro and Bentonville; also the entire Knoxville campaign. He was captured during the first day's fight at Gettysburg, escaped from the Confederates at Staunton, West Virginia, with H. H. Blakeley, now of Lyons, Kansas, crossed the Allegheny Mountains and, after twenty-one days, arrived at Beverly, West Virginia, where he joined the Union forces and received transportation to his regiment on the Rappahannock River. In the spring of 1863 he was in hospital with pneumonia, but was soon again at the front and was honorably discharged June 20, 1865, by reason of the close of the war. During a portion of his service he acted as orderly and scout. At the conclusion of the war he returned to his Ohio home, taught for several years, and, as stated, attended normal school and afterward commenced the study of medicine.

In 1872, while yet teaching at West Mansfield, Ohio, Dr. Rea commenced his professional studies, and in 1876 attended lectures at the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery. He was afterward matriculated at the medical school of the Central University of Kentucky, from which he graduated in June 1883, as valedictorian of his class, receiving first honor (a gold medal) for the highest general standing. In 1888 Dr. Rea took a regular post-graduate course at the Chicago Polio clinic and in 1892 a special course at the same institution, and in 1907 he took a special course in medicine and surgery. In August 1876, he had entered practice at Knox, Indiana, continuing there until March 1880, when he removed to Marmont (now Culver), a summer resort and brisk town on Lake Maxinkuckee. Here he has enjoyed a growing reputation as an able practitioner and a valued citizen, with a wide acquaintance and a substantial practice commensurate with his Worth.

Dr. Rea is a leading member of the Marshall County Medical Society, of which lie served as president in 1887-88 and 1897-8, and is also identified with the Indiana Medical Association. He enjoys membership in the Knights of Pythias, Knights of the Maccabees and Grand Army of the Republic, being (in the patriotic order named) surgeon of Miles H. Tibbets Post, past commander of Henry Speyer Post, No.489, and tent physician of the Knights. He is also past master of Henry II. Culver Lodge, A. F. & A. M. In 1890-93 and 1898 he served as United States pension examining surgeon; was for ten years surgeon for Culver Military Academy, with the rank of major, and is now medical examiner for a number of life insurance companies. The Doctor is not only widely known through his wide professional association in the capacity of a practitioner, but his contributions to medical literature have materially added to his reputation. In politics he is a strong Republican, and in 1896 was a candidate for the Indiana legislature. In the Doctor's official career in the town of Culver he was president of the board of education for three years. He is also president of the Culver City Water Company. Mrs. Dr. Rea is president of the W. R. C. at Culver, Indiana, and this body is in a flourishing condition.

On December 28, 1876, the Doctor wedded Miss Sylvia A. Green at Marysville, Ohio, and the following are their children: Robert H, Lucretia and William S. Robert H graduated from the Culver Military Academy in class of 1898, then graduated from the Chicago University in scientific department in 1901, and then he graduated from Rush Medical College in 1903. He was then interning at Cook County Hospital for one term and he began his practice at No. 5643 Lake Street, Chicago. He is medical inspector of the city schools. Lucretia graduated from the Culver High School in the class of 1902. She entered the musical department of DePauw University and graduated in instrumental music in 1906. She is now a teacher of music. William S. is a graduate of the common schools of Union township and a graduate of Culver Military Academy in class of 1903, and now will graduate in State University at Bloomington, Indiana. He taught one year in Culver High School. He is studying law in the university.

A Twentieth Century History of Marshall County, Indiana. Chicago: (The Lewis Publishing Company, 1908). McDonald, Daniel. pg. 492-5

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One of the successful medical men of Marshall county is Dr Oliver A Rea of Marmont who was born in Union count Ohio October I3 1843 His parents John W and Lucin a Waite Rea who were natives respectively of Massachusetts and Ohio moved to Indiana in 1873 and settled in Stark count of which the father at one time served as commissioner John Rea is a farmer and blacksmith and with his wife is still iving in Stark county They reared a family of five children whose names are as follows Oliver A, Amanda wife of John Williams of Logan county Ohio, Mary wife of Joseph Bolen of Stark county Ind Abel of the same county and state and David a resident of Logan county Ohio

Dr Rea was reared and educated in Ohio graduating from the Lebanon college that state in which he completed the scientific course He taught school several years and began his professional reading under the instruction of Dr Skidmore of West Mansfield and after attending the college of medicine and surgery at Cincinnati for some time graduated from the hospital college of medicine at Louisville receiving his diploma in 1883 The doctor had the distinction of being awarded the highest honors of his class for which he was presented a gold medal and was also chosen to deliver the valedictory address

In 1888 the doctor took a special course in surgery etc at the Polyclinic of Chicago He engaged in the practice of his profession in 1876 at the town of Knox Stark county Ind and continued there until his removal to Marshall county in 1880 since which time he has been located at Marmont in the enjoyment of a large and lucrative business He is examining surgeon of the Penn department for Plymouth Ind

The doctor is a member of the county medical society state medical society and also of the American medical association in the deliberations of which bodies he has been a prominent actor As a physician he stands deservedly high having a very extensive practice in this and other counties while his well known ability as a surgeon has made him the trusted operator in many difficult and skilful cases

The doctor was a soldier in the late war having enlisted in 1862 in the Eighty second Ohio volunteer infantry with which he served for three years during which time he took art in many noted battles He was made a prisoner at Gettysburg but was not confined having made his escape thirty one days after his capture

He is a member of Marmont lodge No 21 K of P belongs to the Miles H Tibbett's post No 260 GAR and in politics votes the Republican ticket

The doctor and Miss Sylvia A Green daughter of Henry and Lydia F Green were united in marriage in 1876 and to their union three children Robert H, Lucretia and William S have been born

Pg. 422-423 History of Indiana: Containing a History of Indiana and Biographical Sketches of Governors and Other Leading Men.

Also a Statement of the Growth and Prosperity of Marshall County, Together with a Personal and Family History of Many of Its Citizens, Volume 2 Brant, Fuller, 1890

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DR. OLIVER A. REA birth October 13, 1843 Union county, Ohio Death January 6, 1911 Rochester, Fulton county, Indiana Burial I.O.O.F. cemetery Rochester, Fulton county, Indiana son of John W. Rea and Lucinda M. Wait

Dr. O. W. REA, who was operated upon at Woodlawn Wednesday for appendicitis, died at that institution at 11:30 o'clock Friday night. Owing to the ineffectiveness of the operation a post mortem was held this morning at Hoover's chapel, but the results are not known.

Dr. O. W. Rea and family moved to Rochester about two months ago from Culver and in that short time won many friends, who are greatly pained at his death. He was born in Union county, Ohio, October 13, 1843, and spent his early life near the scene of his birthplace. He received a common school education and later graduated from college at Lebanon, Ohio, in 1875, with the Bachelor of Science degree.

He began the study of medicine in 1872 and commenced practicing four years later. In 1880 he moved to Culver, where he resided until moving to this city. He was united in marriage with Miss Sylvia GREENE of Marysville, Ohio, on December 28, 1876, and to this union was born three children, who survive. They are Robert H. REA, Chicago; William S. REA, Muncie; Miss Lucretia REA, at home.

Dr. Rea served in the war of the rebellion from 1862 to 1865 as a private in Co. H, 82nd. Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was a highly esteemed member of the G.A.R. He was a member of the Marshall County Medical Society and served as president of that body for two years. He also belonged to the State Medical Society and the K. of P. and Masonic lodges.

The funeral will be held at the Rea home, corner of Madison and Fourteenth streets, Monday afternoon at 1 o'clock. Rev. MICHAELS of Culver and Rev. H. L. KINDIG, this city, having charge of the services. The Masons will have charge of the funeral. Burial will be made in I.O.O.F. cemetery - Saturday, January 7, 1911 Rochester Sentinel

married December 28, 1876 Marysville, Ohio Sylvia A. Green daughter of Henry Green and Lydia F

Children

Robert H, Rea
Lucretia Rea
William S. Rea