Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1903-08-15
LONG LIFE ENDED.
Squire George Reay Passed
Quietly Away this Morning.

Founa Dead in Sitting Posture RE.
markaDie Vitality of Deceased-Has
Lived here Since 1s33-Stort Sketch
Of His Life Member of NJ. p. Church
so years.
Squire George Madison Reay,
died at his home in South Morgan
town this morning, August Is,
about thirty minutes after eight
O'Clock. His death takes from the
community one of the oldest resi-
dents of the county. There are not
more than four or five persons living
who were here when Squire Reay
came TO the city in 1888. Mr.. Reay
awoke this morning, after good
nights rest, about the usual hour,
and ate his breakfast while sitting
in bed, as was his custom. His
daughter Mrs. Baker, and son Carl
ton left him alone for a short time
while they attended TO their morning
duties. When they returned they
found him sitting in the position
they had left him breathing his last
Death had come easily, instantly
and probably without Pain.
About two years ago Mr.. Reay suf-
fered stroke Of paralysis, and since
that time had been deprived OF the
free use OF his legs. He was in the
habit Of reclining good part of the
time. But for this, his health was
apparently as good as it ever had been,
People who talked to him yesterday
marked the strong voice, the ruddy
face without a wrinkle, and the stur-
dy body. His death even at his age
comes as a great surprise, for his
health and Yigor have been the won
der OF the community for years.
The funeral will be he'd at the
house Monday morning at 1920.
George Madison Reay was born Oc-
tober %, 1913, and had he lived until
this coming October, he would have
been 90 years of age. He was mem
Der of one OF the oldest families West
of the Allegheny mountains.
He was born on the land Of his
great grandfather, General Joseph Ne
vile, who was brother of General
John Neville, one Of the leading a.
tors in the early events in and about
the great city of Pittsburg. These
two illustrious brothers were born in
Virginia near the birth place Of George
Washington, and in boyhood days
tvara rlaunaafae IF Z + a f.1unfpu,s eavior
Joseph Neville settled on Stony river,
near the north branch of the Potomac
river, in what is now Hardy county,
West Virginia. 1t was here that
Squire Reay was born. His grand
father was in the revolutionary war.
He came to Morgantewn May /, 1893,
and served an apprenticeship Of three
years in the tannery Of Rev. Joseph A.
Shackleford, located in what is now
the very heart of the business district
of the city. With the exception of
four years spent working at his trade
as tanner at Clarksburg, Athens, o.,
and in Iowa, he has since resided
here. He returned to MorgantOwn in
March, 1910, and formed a partner
ship ia the tanning business with
Messrs. StiIlwell and Walden, sons-in-
law of Rev. Shackleford. In the
spring of 1S43 he erected a tannery in
Durbana, now South Morgantown.
This plant he operated until he sold
out to Fairchild, Laughed & Co. In
1859 he bought the South MorganteWn
foundry, which he has operated con-
tinuously ever since, period Of over
43 years.
Squire Reay built the first house in
South Morgantown. In 1910 he was
married to Miss Elizabeth Mapel, a
daughter of Rev. Thomas Mapel, of
Rosedale. Ten children were born to-
them, six of whom are living They
are Thomas Presley Reay, Charles
Reay, Of Greenmont; Carlton n. Reay,
who lives at home; Mrs. Jennie G.
Goodwin, mother of Charles A. Coed
win, Prosecuting attorney: Mrs. An
ME A. Baker, who resided with her
father, aud Mrs. L. r. Allander, of
Baltimore, Md.
For one of his age Mr.. Reay was
remarkably we'll preserved. He re-
tanned a memory that was constant
source of wonder TO his friends, and
could recall with accuracy details of
events that occurred three,quarters of
a century ago.
The deceased was member of the
NJ, p, church, having joined in 1888
Fer 70 years he participated actively
in the affairs OF the church. In poll |
ties, he was republican. though his
three sons have always bees active in
the councils of the Democratic party. |
,.,,, 1870, t.n1xr,