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Formatted by U.S. Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott
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Biographical History of Cherokee County, Iowa
W. S. Dunbar & Co., Chigago - 1889

[page 530]

    R. E. LEA, of Rock Township, is an American by adoption, having
    been born in England, November 28, 1852.  He is a son of JOSEPH and
    PRUDENCE (MITCHELL) LEA, also natives of England.  JOSEPH LEA took
    to the sea, and spent the greater part of his life on the water. He
    advanced until he became the captain of his own ship, and when R. E.
    was one month old he was taken on board the vessel which was his home
    until he was nine years old; he then left the ship, and worked on a
    farm until he was fourteen years old, when he returned to the water,
    and stayed until he was twenty years of age.  After leaving the sea
    the last time he was employed by a railroad company in Manchester,
    England.  In April, 1875, he left England, his home and friends, and
    crossed the water to America, locating in Will County, Illinois, where
    he worked on a farm for six years.  In 1881 he removed to Cherokee
    County, Iowa, and bought eighty acres of land in Rock Township, and
    the indications are that prosperity has attended his efforts.  Mr.
    LEA was united in marriage March 26, 1885, to Miss IDA KINNEY, a
    daughter of E. D. and CYNTHIA M. (TOWNE) KINNEY.  Mrs. LEA was born
    in Vermont, August 21, 1852, and removed with her parents to Wiscon-
    sin, where they remained seven years; thence they went to Lake City,
    Minnesota, and resided there until 1873; in the meantime she graduated
    from the Winona State Norman School, and taught in the public schools
    a number of years.  Her family removed to Cherokee County in 1876.
    Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. LEA: JESSIE and FLORENCE.
    In politics Mr. LEA affiliates with the Republican party.  He is a
    member of the Presbyterian Church, while his wife belongs to the
    Baptist.  He is a man frank and cordial in his manners, is honorable
    in his business, and is one of the representative farmers of Rock
    Township.

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