Obit: Rhea, Arnt O. #2 (1850 - 1937)

Contact:  Crystal Wendt

Surnames: Rhea, Dougherty, Rossman, Landry, Brown

----Sources: Neillsville Press (Neillsville, Clark County, Wis.) 27 May 1937

Rhea, Arnt O. (10 Oct. 1850 - 25 May 1937)

A. O. Rhea, for many years prominent in educational and political activities of this county, passed away at the home of his daughter, Mrs. J. F. Dougherty, in Wisconsin Dells, at 3:30 a.m. Tuesday morning, May 25.

Mr. Rhea had spent the winter at Wilmington, California with another daughter, Mrs. E. J. Rossman and came to Wisconsin Dells about two weeks ago. Mr. and Mrs. Rossman coming with him.

Arnt O. Rhea was born at Trondhjem, Norway, Oct. 10, 1850. He came with his parents to Wisconsin in 1861 and settled in La Crosse County where he grew to manhood. He received his elementary education in the common schools, later attending Gale College, La Crosse Business College, Winona Normal and River Falls Normal.

After teaching for a time in the schools of La Crosse County he was elected County Superintendent and served seven years.

In 1893 he came to Thorp where he was principal of schools, until 1900, when he was elected County Superintendent of Clark County, serving 11 years.

In 1912 he was elected to Assembly, and served one term, declining re-election.

He had become interested in local business affairs and in a mill and factory at Gilman. He was also a director in the local bank.

Mr. Rhea was a quiet gentleman, a scholar of old school, conservative, and yet favored progress.

He was a lifelong student and became greatly interested in astronomy, building and equipping a good sized observatory at Thorp. He had the reputation of being the best amateur astronomer in the United States.

He is survived by four daughters, Mrs. E. J. Rossman of California, Mrs. J. F. Dougherty and Mrs. H. J. Landry both of Wisconsin Dells and Mrs. T. J. Brown of Minneapolis. His wife died several years ago and one son was accidentally killed, when about thirteen years of age.

Funeral services will be held from the hold home at Thorp, Friday afternoon at 2 o’clock.