Representative Robert John Reaney View All Years

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Robert John Reaney

Louisa County

Representative from Louisa county. Born in County Tyrone, Ireland, of Scotch-Irish parentage. He emigrated with his parents to the United States in 1863, settling first at Chester, Pennsylvania, from whence they came to Louisa county, Iowa, in 1871. He attended the public schools of Chester up to 1871. On coming to Louisa county his parents settled on a farm adjoining the town of Fredonia, where he worked for two years. At the age of seventeen years he was apprenticed as a carpenter and worked at this trade for thirteen years. On January 16, 1887, he was married to Miss Belle Eliason of Muscatine county, Iowa. Engaged in farming for a year and then moved to Columbus Junction, Iowa, where he has since resided. He first engaged in the clothing business for three years and in 1891, with his brother-in-law, Charles Eliason, purchased a lumber yard and has since that time been continuously engaged in dealing in lumber, lime and coal. Has served in numerous local offices. First as school treasurer of Concord township in 1878, as mayor of Columbus Junction in 1889 and 1890, as a member of the city council of Columbus Junction for six years and member of its school board three years. Elected Representative in 1906. A Republican in politics.

House District 22