Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. Historical and Biographical.
Charles Blanchard, Editor. Chicago: F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers, 1884. 

MORGAN COUNTY
ADAMS TOWNSHIP
PAGE 314

JOHN L. RHEA, farmer and stock-dealer, was born in Washington County,
Va., February 15, 1847, and is the sixth in a family of ten children born to 
George G. and Dorcas (Lowrey) Rhea.  Our subject received a fair English
education at the common and high schools of Tennessee and Indiana.  He
was employed on his father's farm until eighteen years of age, when he went
to learn the carpenter's trade, and followed the same until the breaking-out
of the late civil war.  In October, 1861, he enlisted in Company B, Fifty-ninth
Indiana Volunteer Infantry,and served with that regiment in all its marchs and 
engagements until, in March, 1865, when he was discharged at Indianapolis,
his term of service having expired.  He participated in the capture of Island
No. 10, the siege and battle of Corinth, the battles of the Jackson and Vicks-
burg campaign, Missionary Ridge and many other lesser engagements.  After
his return from the army, he followed his trade for some five or six years.  He
then bought a farm of 140 acres, adjoining Eminence on the east, where he was
engaged in farming and the stock trade until 1871.  He then sold this farm
and bought another of 160 acres, in same township, one mile west of Eminence,
where he is still engaged in the same business.  He was first married in 1861, to
Miss Nancy Walters, a native of Morgan County, Ind.  Two children were 
the fruits of this union, only one of whom, viz., Hattie L., is now living.
Mrs. Nancy died November 3, 1865.  She was a member of the Baptist
Church.  Mr. Rhea was next married, December 17, 1869, to Miss Nancy
J. Mugg, a native of Owen County, Ind.  Three children--one son and two
daughters--have blessed their union.  Both Mr. Rhea and wife are members
of the church, he of the Methodist Episcopal and she of the Baptist.  He is
also a member of Eminence Lodge, No. 440, A., F. & A. M., of which 
lodge he is a charter member, and was its first Master.  In politics, he is a 
stanch Republican.

Data Entry Volunteer:  Diana Flynn 

    Source: geocities.com/heartland/meadows/8056/bios

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