Rutson Rea (1816-1895)

Portrait from the History of Lewis County, New York, 1883.

  One of a vast number of curiously named men who were elected to the New York State Assembly during the 19th century, Rutson Rea was a two-term member of that body who for many years was a leading produce dealer and farmer in Lewis County, being the owner of over three thousand acres of farmland. A lifelong New Yorker, Rutson Rea was born in Columbia County on March 17, 1816, the son of Peter and Elizabeth (Hoisradt) Rea. Young Rutson would relocate to Lewis County with his family at age seven and, following settlement in the village of Turin attended the common schools of that area. He resided on his family's farm until age 23 and, after receiving a four hundred dollar gift from his father, went out into the world.

  Using his father's monetary gift, Rea purchased fifty acres of land in Turin that he would farm and in 1840 married Clarissa A. Clark (1818-1908), to whom he was wed until his death. The couple would have one daughter, Amelia Francis Rea (1844-1869). Following his marriage, Rea continued to reside and farm in Turin until 1852 when he sold his property and purchased a farm in Lowville, where he also bought and sold butter and cheese.  

  After three years residency at that location, Rea purchased another farm in Lowville that he would continue to operate for decades afterward. By the mid-1880s, Rea would own "thirty-five hundred acres of improved farming land", as well as city property, and beginning in the early 1850s entered into dealing produce. The 1883 History of Lewis County further relates that Rea operated a steam mill and also sold flour and seeds. He would find additional business distinction in Lowville with his service as a member of the board of directors of the Bank of Lowville in 1860, and later held the presidency of the Black River Bank.

  Rutson Rea's political career began at the local level, serving as a village trustee, township supervisor of Lowville from 1864-65, and town assessor for several terms. In 1885 he was nominated by the Lewis County Republican establishment for the New York State Assembly and later won the election by a plurality of 787. His service in the 1886 session saw him named to the committees on Agriculture, Charitable and Religious Societies, and Villages, and later that year was "reelected by a plurality of 1,950". 

  After his second term, Rea returned to his farming and business interests in Lowville, being the owner of "about 20 farms in Lewis County" and had a personal worth of nearly $100,000. Unfortunately for Rea, in 1892 a vast majority of his wealth was wiped out due to land depreciation. This substantial loss not only caused Rea emotional distress but also compelled him to give up his produce business. For several weeks before his death Rea experienced weakening health, and he died at his home in Lowville on July 7, 1895, aged 79. He was survived by his wife Clarissa, and following her death at age 90 in 1908 was interred alongside her husband under a substantial obelisk at the Lowville Rural Cemetery.

From the Rome Evening Citizen, July 8, 1895.

From the Johnstown Daily Republican, 1895.