The Quill
LaHarpe, Illinois
Friday
June 6, 1930
Page 3
Column 1Dr. L. J. Rhea
After an illness of three years from progressive paralysis, Dr. Levi Jackson Rhea, well-known LaHarpe physician, passed away at his home on West Main Street, Sunday morning, June 1, 1930, at 9:12 o'clock. Apparently fully conscious of all that was going on around him and able to whisper answers to the questionings of members of his family up to that hour, at 6 o'clock Friday evening he sank into the sleep from which he never awakened. His death removed from our midst a most worthy man. He belonged to the older order of country physicians who faithfully answered the call of sick folks in the days when the horse and buggy and many times the horse alone was the only means of conveyance from place to place. He was successful in his practice and worked hard to alleviate the sufferings of humanity. Later he made optical work an important part of his practice and was very thorough in this line of work. His office was for many years located in the rooms above the First National Bank.
Dr. Rhea was born in Hancock County, Illinois, June 8, 1854, one of five children of his parents, Calway L. and Sarah J. Smith Rhea. His father, a native of Tennessee, located in this county in 1830, where he became a heavy land owner.
L. J. Rhea attended the public schools of this county and then entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Keokuk, Iowa, from which institution he graduated in 1882. He took a post graduate course in Chicago in 1900. Since 1883 he practiced his profession in this neighborhood. The family located in LaHarpe thirty-eight years ago.
Dr. Rhea was married to Miss Susan M. Berry, a member of one Hancock county's oldest families, on October 19, 1880. The wife survives with their three children, Ollie E., wife of Roy C. Hallowell, of LaHarpe; Atlee A., who resides at home, and Mamie B., wife of Clyde Hull, of Des Moines, Iowa. The wife and children faithfully ministered to him throughout his long illness.
His political affiliation was with the democratic party and he joined church early in life. As a Mason he stood high in the councils of the order and has held the offices of Master of the A. F. & A. M. and High Priest of the Royal Arch Chapter. The excellence of his work in the lodge rooms is seldom equalled by any man.
Besides the immediate family he is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Martha A. Greenwell, of Napa, California, and Mrs. Lucy Sammons, of Macomb, Illinois.
Dr. Rhea enjoyed a wide acquaintance throughout this part of western Illinois and had many warm personal and professional friends. He loved his family and his home and at all times enjoyed the fullest confidence and respect of his fellowmen.
Funeral services are being held this afternoon at the Stuckey Funeral Home with Rev. F. G. Elwick of the Union Church in charge. Interment in LaHarpe cemetery.
The Carthage Gazette
Carthage, Illinois
Friday
June 6, 1930
Page 3
Column 1Dr. Levi Jackson Rhea, a well known LaHarpe physician for many years, died on the 1st inst. after an illness extending over three years. His wife who was Miss Susan M. Berry, a member of a well known and highly respected family of the northeastern part of the county, and she with their three children survive. -- Gleaned from LaHarpe Quill.
Children:
Aaron Atlee Rhea 04-Mar-1882 20-Sep-1969 Ollie E. Rhea 09-Aug-1883 12-Dec-1977 Mamie B. Rhea circa 1886 .
