California Biographies
Mendocino and Lake Counties, California
 
Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives 
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

Source:
History of Mendocino and Lake Counties, California
With Biographical Sketches
History by Aurelius O. Carpenter And Percy H. Millberry
Illustrated, Complete In One Volume
Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1914


JOSEPH NELSON REA. � It is a noteworthy fact that the cashier of 
the Mendocino Bank of Commerce, Mr. Rea, and the president, Mr. Grindle, 
were born in the same month of the same year (November of 1844) and both 
came to California in the same year (1869). Both have been integral ele- 
ments in the material upbuilding of the city and county of Mendocino, both 
have aided generously movements for the agricultural, moral, commercial or 
educational progress of their adopted locality, and both have risen to rank 
among leading local financiers. Side by side they have labored for the benefit 
of the bank. Together they have promoted its usefulness and enlarged the 
sphere of its activities, making of it an institution of the utmost value to the 
well-being of the community. Nor has their citizenship in local enterprises 
been less important than their financiering and banking connections and both 
have discharged efficiently but unostentatiously every duty devolving upon 
them as citizens. 

Born in Ripley county, Ind., November 28, 1844, educated in the public 
Schools of that county and trained to self-support from early years, Air. Rea 
enlisted in the Union army at the age of twenty years and was assigned to 
the One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Illinois Infantry, but later was transferred 
to the One Hundred and Fifty-second Regiment, assigned to the army of the 
Cumberland in Tennessee. From the ranks he rose to be second lieutenant 
and served as such until he was mustered out of the army in September, 1865. 
The next few years were spent at the old home, at Flora, Ill., but in October 
of 1869 he came to California, settling at Ukiah, Mendocino county, where he 
secured a position as clerk in a store. Later he was connected with a mer- 
cantile business at Potter Valley, this county, from which he removed to the 
Round valley, where he became engaged in sheep-raising, and in addition he 
also carried on a general store. From 1891 to 1895 he was supervisor from 
the third district. Upon being elected treasurer of Mendocino county in 1897 
he removed to the county-seat and there continued in office for eight years 
Since 1907 he has been cashier of the Mendocino Bank of Commerce and has 
made Mendocino his home. While living in Illinois he married in 1868 Miss 
Mary J. Eddy, a native of that state. The three children of the union reside 
in Ukiah, namely : Mrs. Alice Handy, Dr. S. L. Rea and Dr. Frank E. Rea. 
In fraternal connections he is identified with Covelo Lodge No. 231. F. & 
A. M.