[2] He came to Australia in about 1841 where he worked in stock and station agency business with firms which had branches in New South Wales and New Zealand.
Around the time of the separation of Queensland (circa 1859), he moved to Rockhampton where he established his own stock and station agency business with Mr Rankin.
[2] Rea died on 21 September 1881 in his temporary residence at Martin Street, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane.
He had been unwell for a few days beforehand and, having failed to attend Parliament, was found dead apparently from heart disease.
At the time of his death, he was writing a letter in which he said he felt he was dying and fell to the floor with his pencil still in hand.