Date of Death: 13 Jun 1901
Subject: David Rea
Source: New York Times, 14 Jun 1901
St. Joseph, Mo., June 13.-- David Rea, ex-congressman from this district, died today at Savannah, Mo. Mr. Rea was a native of Indiana and was seventy years old. He came to Missouri in his youth, and afterward became a member of the bar. He served in the Forty-fifth Congress.
Source: Holt County Sentinel, 21 Jun 1901, p. 1
Ex-Congressman David Rea died at his home in Savannah, Mo., Thursday of last week, after a long illness, with Bright's disease. His demise was sudden. He was 71 [sic] years old, and had served three terms in the national house of representatives as a Democrat, retiring in 1892. During the last presidential election Judge Rea voted for President McKinley on account of the issue. Since his retirement from office he has been engaged in the practice of the law at Savannah, and has been connected with some of the most important legal battles in Northern Missouri.
It was from David Rea that John P. Altgeld, ex-governor of Illinois, obtained his first instruction to law. Altgeld came to Savannah penniless and went to work on the farm of Joseph Rea, brother of the deceased, who is now probate judge of Andrew county. David Rea saw that Altgeld had more than ordinary ability and took him into his office. In a short time Altgeld became prosecuting attorney, but resigned before his term was out and moved to Chicago. He remained one of Rea's warmest friends.