Bio: McRea, Hector C. (1881)
Contact: Janet Schwarze
Email: Posted4u@Charter.net

---Source: 1881 History of Northern Wisconsin, pg. 213.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF HECTOR C. McREA

HECTOR C. McREA, Chippewa Falls, is a son of John McRea, a native of Scotland, and now a resident of Bruce Co., Ontario. He was born in Stormont, Ontario, March 21, 1837, and lived in Canada, engaging in mercantile business for several years before coming to Wisconsin. In July, 186S, he came to Chippewa Falls, and was engaged in mercantile business until 1873. He was elected County Treasurer in the Fall of 1872, and served two successive terms. In 1878, he bought a set of abstract books, and has conducted the only abstract business here since. In 1879, he engaged in milling business with his brother, John A. McRea, and Barnett Brothers. In 1880, he took sole charge, and carried on the business alone until the Summer of 1881, when he leased it. He built the mill and commenced running it in October, 1879. Its capacity is 100 bushels every twenty-four hours. It has one set of rolls, five run of stone, and keeps three men constantly employed —six when running at its full capacity. Mr. McRea became the sole owner of the planing-mill in 1880. He employs thirty men m planing, jobbing, building, etc., and manufactures sash, doors and blinds. Charles M. Prentice is associated with him in operating the planing-mill. Mr. McRea was a member of the Assembly in 1879 and 1880, and is now President of the City Council. He was married in Martintown, Ontario, to Margaret McKay, a native of that place, who died in 1869, leaving two children—John A. and Alexander C. He was married to his present wife, Alice Wiltse, in Chippewa Falls, May 24, 1871. She is a native of Waukesha. Mr. McRea is a member of the A. F. & A. M. and of the Knights of Pythias.