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 315

JOSEPH C. RHEA, Postmaster and merchant, was born in Washington
County, Va., May 6, 1838, and is the fourth child in a family of ten children
born to Robert H. and Frances G. (Dungan) Rhea, both natives of the "Old
Dominion," and of Irish descent.  Robert H. Rhea was educated and married
in his native State, where in early life he learned the millwright's trade, which
he followed in connection with agricultural pursuits all his life.  He owned a
farm in both Washington and Smith Counties, Va., and at one time was the
owner of three flouring mills.  His death occurred in Washington County, Va.,
June 27, 1855, in his fifty-fifth year.  He was for many years Adjutant General
of the Virginia militia, and he and wife were life-long members of the Metho-
dist Church.  Joseph C. Rhea, the subject, received an excellent common
school and academic education in youth, and also attended Emory and Henry
College, of Washington County, Va., for a time.  At the age of sixteen, he
commenced teaching, and taught three years in his native State.  In the spring
of 1861, he fled, a refugee, from Virginia to Eminence, Morgan Co., Ind.,
where he taught for one term, and then, October 18, 1861, he enlisted in
Company B, Fifty-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served with that
regiment in all its marches and engagements until September, 1862, when he
was discharged on account of disability.  He was First Sergeant of his com-
pany for a time, and was afterward company Clerk.  In August, 1863, he
re-enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Seventeenth Indiana Volunteer
Infantry, and served with that regiment in all its marches and engagements
until March 25, 1864, when he was mustered out at Indianapolis.  In this
company he also served as First or Orderly Sergeant.  After his return from
the army, he again engaged in teaching, and taught for seventeen winters,
being employed at the carpenter's trade in the summer season.  In March,
1883, he engaged in the general mercantile trade at Eminence, and is still
so engaged.  At the same time, March, 1883, he was appointed Postmaster
at Eminence, and is now holding that office.  From 1874 to 1876 inclusive,
he served as Commissioner of Morgan County, Ind.  He was married
September 21, 1865, to Margaret A. Ogles, a native of Adams Township,
Morgan County, Ind.  Mr. Rhea is a member of the Methodist Episcopal,
and Mrs. Rhea of the Baptist Church.  He is also a member of Eminence
Lodge, No. 440, A., F. & A. M., and of Eminence Lodge, No. 317, I. O.
O. F.  In the latter order, he has passed all the chairs, and is now D. D.
G. M.  In politics, he is a stanch Republican, and is one of the leading and 
prominent citizens of the township and county.

Data Entry Volunteer:  Diana Flynn 

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