William Francis RHEA, Congress, VA (1858-1931)

RHEA, William Francis, a Representative from Virginia; born on a farm near Bristol, Washington County, Va., April 20, 1858; attended rural and private schools; was graduated from King College, Bristol, Tenn., in 1878; studied law; was admitted to the bar in 1879 and commenced practice in Bristol, Va.; judge of the Washington County Court 1880-1885; member of the State senate 1885-1888; judge of the city court of Bristol; resigned in 1895 and resumed the practice of law; elected as a Democrat to the Fifty-sixth and Fifty-seventh Congresses (March 4, 1899-March 3, 1903); unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1902 to the Fifty-eighth Congress; resumed the practice of law in Bristol, Va.; moved to Richmond, Va., when appointed a member of the State corporation commission in 1908 and served until 1925; died in Richmond, Va., March 23, 1931; interment in Hollywood Cemetery.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present