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Subject: [RHEA-L] More P. V. Rhea
Date: Sat, 19 Jun 1999 20:55:22 EDT

History of Benton County, AR
WASHINGTON COUNTY. AR
page 1010
Pleasant V. Rhea(deceased), one of the early settlers of this county, was
born in Lincoln County, Tenn., grew to manhood there, and there married Miss
Fannie B. White. They moved to Washington County, Ark., in 1830, and here
Mr. Rhea followed the occupation of a blacksmith, and also taught school,
taking his pay in corn, pumpkins, etc. His family consisted of seven
children, three sons and four daughters. He was a member of the Baptist
Church, and died at the age of sixty-one years. The mother is also a member
of the same church, and is now living at the advanced age of eighty-eight
years. Their eldest son, William H., was born in Lincoln County, Tenn., in
1825, and came with his parents to Washington County, Ark., where he learned
the blacksmith trade. [p.1010] At the age of twenty-four he opened a little
grocery in Maysville, Benton Co., Ark., and after running that a short time
he came to Cincinnati, and bought a stock of goods. Being a shrewd business
man he gradually arose until at the time of his death he owned three stores,
a mill and several farms, amounting in all to about $75,000. He was a
public-spirited man, and was ever ready to contribute to worthy enterprises.
He was a Democrat in his political views, and a member of the Masonic
fraternity. He married Miss Elizabeth C. Powell, daughter of Dr. Samuel
Powell, and a native of East Tennessee. This union resulted in the birth of
eight children, four sons and four daughters. He died in 1884, but she is
still living. Their fifth child, Robert J., is one of the most extensive
merchants of Cincinnati. He was born at Rhea's Mills October 15, 1862, and
was reared chiefly in the store. He had good educational advantages, and at
the age of fourteen he commenced clerking in his father's store, and has
handled goods ever since that time. After the death of his father he
purchased his present store, and has the largest stock of goods in the
county outside of Fayetteville. In 1886 he married Miss Myrtie, daughter of
Charles McClellan, and a native of Washington County, Ark., born November 5,
1868. To this union one son, William H., has been born. Mr. Rhea is devoted
to his business, and is accounted a wide-awake business man. He is a
Democrat in politics, is a member of the I. O. O. F., and his wife is a
member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

Pat H

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