Born: April 12, 1835, Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
Died: November 1, 1918, Ottumwa, Iowa.
Buried: Ottumwa Cemetery, Ottumwa, Iowa.
John was the son of George W. Rheem and Lydia Updegraff, and husband of Amelia Frances Ritter.
He grew up and received his early education in Carlisle, showing a musical gift at a very early age. At age eight he was singing in the local church choir.
At age 21, he went to Boston, Massachusetts, to study music for two years. He then returned to Carlisle, and taught music in the public schools for two years.
As of 1895, Rheem was a music dealer in Ottumwa, Iowa.
If you know where to get a good photo of Rheem (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),