RESIDENT OF COUNTY FOR 70 YEARS
DIES; J. C. RHEA ONE OF SECTION'S INFLUENTIAL CITIZENS
Courier &
Democrat
March 1925
At the advanced old
age of 87 years, 11 months and 8 days, J. C. Rhea one of the oldest pioneers and
as well as one of the most influential citizens of our entire county passed away
at his home in this city at 3:10 o'clock this Thursday morning, after a long
period of weakness and feebleness incident to old age. While his death was not
unexpected, yet its announcement caused much sorrow to spread over our city and
county at the passing of such a grand and noble hearted citizen whose impression
on the commercial, business, civic, moral and religious life of our city and
surrounding territory is second to no life lived here during his long and
honored career.
When a youth of
hardly eighteen he came to Collin county in 1855 settling about ten miles west
of McKinney at the point now known as Rhea Mills. In association with his
brother, the late Capt. W. A. Rhea, they acquired two or three thousand acres of
the choicest black land of our county in its virgin state and developed in into
lightly improved farm land on which they resided for many years. The firm of
Rhea Brothers engaged in ginning, milling, and merchandising in a very
successful way. His brother, Capt. W. A. Rhea, a confederate officer, had a foot
shot off in the war and was conspicuous in public life as well as in business
and banking circles and died at him home in McKinney a few years ago.
Mason For 60 Years.
The deceased had
been a Mason for more than sixty years. He received a special dispensation while
in the army to join the ancient order granted by the Worshipful Master of the
state of Mississippi on account of being a soldier in that state at the time.
He was a member of
the Blue Lodge, Council, Chapter and Templar Commandery at McKinney at the time
of his death. He was a charter member of Lee Lodge of Rhea Mills, since moved to
Prosper, and was worshipful Master of that lodge for several years. He was
converted and united with the presbyterian church in Tennessee when a boy. He
was a charter member of the Walnut Grove Presbyterian, later moving his
membership to the Central Presbyterian church of this city. His father was
chairman of the building committee that erected the first Walnut Grove church
while the deceased was chairman of the building committee that erected the
present church building here. While the deceased was one of the most capable and
influential men of our entire county the holding of public office never appealed
to him. Other than serving as first postmaster at Rhea Mills for about three
years he never held public office. He was chairman of the county executive
committee in several prohibition contests of this county and had a large part in
helping to carry prohibition here. His wife died in McKinney July 7, 1920.
The funeral services
will be held at 2:30 o'clock tomorrow (Friday) afternoon at the Central
Presbyterian church conducted by his pastor, Rev. Alvin O. Rue, assisted by Dr.
Glenn L. Sneed of Dallas.
The active
pallbearers are: J. H. Sneed, J. W. Ashley, G. B. Hughes, J. F. Bone, A. M.
Russell, W. C. Dowdy.
The honorary
pallbearers are: Tom W. Perkins, M. T. Jones, H. H. Neilson, J. S. McKinney, G.
Frank Wolford, Van B. Hill, Dr. W. Todd Largent, Judge H. L. Davis, Dr. O. H.
Kirkpatrick. Dr. C. G. Comegys, Capt. R. M. Board, Henry W. Warden, Dr. W. S.
Wysong, Clint Thompson, J. S. Heard, Howell E. Smith, Rev. R. C. Horn, W. S.
Jones Dr. T. W. Wiley, J. S. Carlisle, J. P. Crouch, J. M. Furr, Don O. Davis,
George Wilcox, J. P. Dowell, F. D. Perkins, J. H. Ferguson, Walter B. Wilson, J.
W. Fields, H. A. Finch, Dr. J. E. Gibson, N. J. Marley, John Johnson, Dr. W. R.
Mathers, A. G. Mayse, J. H. Merritt, L. A. Scott, L. M. Smith, L. G. Furr, John
C. Sears, John Enloe, Judge F. E. Wilcox, S. Weisman, Walter Hedgcoxe, Ike
Talkington, Gibson Caldwell, Dr. E. L. Burton, W. L. Brown, B. M. Stone, J.
Miller Belcher, W. T. Ford, Tom M. Scott, all officers of the Central
Presbyterian Church and all members of the McKinney Rotary Club.
City Commission
Passes Resolutions.
The City Commission,
Mayor Tom W. Perkins and Commissioner M. T. Jones, held a meeting Thursday in
the City Hall. On account of the death of Commissioner Will J. Rhea's father,
Capt. J. C. Rhea, the flag was ordered at half mast and the City Hall will be
closed Friday evening, all employees, including the Firemen, will attend the
funeral in a body, at the Central Presbyterian church at 2:30, out of respect to
Commissioner Will J. Rhea.
Resolutions Adopted.
McKinney, Texas,
March 19, 1925
To
Commissioner Will J. Rhea, Dear Comrade: With profound and deep sorrow we have
just been notified of the death of your beloved father Capt. James C. Rhea. We,
in common with all employees of the city as well as our entire citizenship
condole with you in this, the saddest hours of your life. We extend to you and
to your good wife and relatives our sincere and heart-felt sympathy. Our prayer
is that He, who assuages the trials, hardships and discomforts of life, will
continue His kindness and love to your and yours.
In the death of your
good father, this State, County and City has lost a high-class Christian man;
kind and loving father, and true and patriotic citizen; a pioneer Republic
builder and Confederate soldier. His life has been one of honest effort and
sublimest to the last degree. His charities have been meted out in accordance
with his purse. His Christian life and daily walk we who have been left behind,
can afford to follow and emulate. This world, our dearly beloved Colleague, has
been made better and purer by God having given life to the form and existence of
Capt. James C. Rhea. With love in our hearts for you and deep reverence for this
good father of Zion, we commend his deeds and charity and life to you and yours
without reservation. Cordially and Sincerely, Tom W. Perkins, Mayor. M. T.
Jones, Commissioner.
Biographical Sketch.
James Calvin Rhea,
one of the most honored and venerable pioneers of North Texas, has been
associated with the development of Collin county for almost three quarters of
the century, and while McKinney claimed him as a citizen for the past three
decades, the entire section has felt the force of his influence and the early
enterprises which he established have played an important part in the present
day development of Collin county. Mr. Rhea came to Collin county, locating on a
farm, ten miles West from McKinney, November 29, 1855, during the early
pioneering days, shortly after his arrival here starting a wool carding machine
which was one of the important facilities of that day.
Two years later,
when the need for a mill became imperative, Mr. Rhea, with his brother, W. A.
Rhea, who had been associated with him in his first venture, established a flour
mill, grinding wheat and corn. Still later, as the village grew Mr. Rhea added a
mercantile store to the mill and then was instrumental in securing a post office
for the village which became known as Rhea's Mill, Texas. Mr. Rhea was
postmaster for three years, afterward resigning that he might give more time to
his various business interests.
Here Since 1892.
Mr. Rhea came to
McKinney in 1892, entering into the business life here with the same enthusiasm
that had marked his previous career, and became one of the leading business men
here. A little later, due to advancing years, he resigned from active business
life, but still owned his large farm of over nine hundred acres, at Rhea's Mill.
This is considered one of the best farms in this section, and is nearly all
under cultivation.
James Calvin Rhea,
was born in Roane county, Tennessee, the eleventh day of April 1837. His father
Joseph R. Rhea, a native of Eastern Tennessee came to Texas about 1855, and was
thereafter a farmer in this state until his death. His mother Mrs. Emiline Rhea,
was also a native of East Tennessee. Mr. Rhea, growing up under pioneer
conditions found educational opportunities fewer than they are today, and while
he attended the rural schools near his home, his education was largely along
practical lines and self pursued. He came to Texas with his parents the 29th day
of November 1855, three years later starting the wool carding machine at Rhea's
Mill and adding his other interests later.
Mr. Rhea served
three years in the Civil War, fighting under General Joseph E. Johnston and
General Hood, enlisting at McKinney with the Sixth Texas Cavalry. At the close
of the war he returned to Rhea's Mill and resumed his business activities there.
Mr. Rhea was married
near Plano, Texas, the 14th of September, 1874, to Miss Mary A. Gossett, who
came to Texas with her mother and brother. Her father who was a merchant at
Somerset, Kentucky, was deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Rhea resided in McKinney many
years, living at 701 North College Avenue. They were the parents of six
children, four of whom are deceased and two of whom, William J. Rhea, a business
man of McKinney, and Dr. Robert Lee Rhea, of San Antonio, survive. Both sons are
married. Mr. Rhea was a Mason, belonging to St. John's Lodge at McKinney. He was
an almost life-long member of the Presbyterian church, belonging to the Central
Presbyterian church at McKinney. Mr. Rhea, though well passed his eightieth year
still continued to take a deep interest in those activities which held his
attention for so many years. He retained his faculties to an unusual extent, and
was an interesting conversationalist, his reminiscences of the early days of
Collin county being very interesting. J. C. Rhea had lived his life fully and
well, doing his duty as a citizen at all times taking an interest in the welfare
of his city and community. He was one of the most widely known and beloved men
of Collin county, the record of his long and useful life is a bright page in the
history of this county.
Historical marker, 1989.
JAMES
CALVIN RHEA HOUSE
JAMES CALVIN
RHEA (1837-1925) CAME
TO TEXAS FROM
TENNESSEE IN 1855.
HE AND HIS
BROTHER, W. A. RHEA, BUILT A
GRISTMILL IN
THE COLLIN COUNTY
COMMUNITY THAT
BECAME KNOWN
AS RHEA MILLS.
BUILT ABOUT 1890 BY
JOHN W.
HAMILTON, THIS HOME FEA-
TURES EASTLAKE
STYLE ELEMENTS IN
ITS WRAPAROUND
VERANDA, ORNAMENTAL
WOODWORK, AND
SUNBURST PANELS. THE
HOME REMAINED
IN THE RHEA FAMILY
UNTIL 1956. A
CIVIL WAR VETERAN,
RHEA AND HIS
WIFE MARY ARE BURIED
NEARBY IN
PECAN GROVE CEMETERY.
Surname Index
Recommended Citation:
"J. C. Rhea,
EARLY SETTLERS OF COLLIN COUNTY." Collin County, Texas History
and Genealogy Webpage by Genealogy Friends of Plano Libraries, Inc., <http://www.geocities/genfriendsghl>
[Accessed Fri February 13, 2004 ].
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