RODD, Thomas 1837-1914

RODD, WHITWOOD

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 5/14/2015 at 12:57:36

Grundy Pioneer Dead

Resided On Same Farm For 48 Years

Uncle Thomas Rodd Passed Away Saturday

The stern, silent death angel hath again come into our midst and on Saturday, Feb. 21st, at 2 o'clock, with gentle hands took Thomas Rodd from among us. Age 76 years, 7 months and 27 days.

Thomas Rodd was born at St. Thomas, Canada, June 24, 1837, being the youngest of a family of seven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Richard Rodd. Only one of this family is known to be living, Mrs. Betsy Hemenway, of Rockford, Ill., now 86 years old.

His father and mother were born in England and were bound out as apprentices upon the same farm at the age of seven, one as a farm laborer, the other as a dairy maid. Later they emigrated to Canada, living there only a few years, moving to Rockford, Ill., when their son, Thomas, was two years old.

At the age of nine Thomas was left the care of an aged mother. At twelve he drove loads of wheat to Chicago. As a youth he worked on a Mississippi steamboat and as millwright in the southern states. In the late fifties he teamed in the northeastern past of this state.

Dec. 1st, 1859, he was united in marriage to Agnes Whitwood at Burrit, Ill. This union was blessed with eight children: Arthur, Mary, Susan, Nellie, Gertrude, Asa, Clara and Katie. Four of these, Mrs. G. M. Haskin, Mrs. J. H. Moore, and Asa Rodd of Whitten and Mrs. I. J. Hoffa of Grundy Center, besides 14 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren are left to care for and comfort the sorrowing mother.

In June, 1868 Uncle Tom, as he was known for miles around, moved with his family to Grundy county. They settled upon the farm where they have since resided, when it was nothing but raw bleak prairie.

The family stayed with some neighbors until lumber could be hauled from Marshalltown with which to build a house. He will be numbered among the pioneers who faced the battle of life so bravely when this country was new, thus making it such an agreeable place to live. Many of the early settlers were helped in the erection of their homes by his ability as a mason. For years he has been known the country over for his jovial and kindly ways and Uncle Tom was never so busy but what he could lend a hand to a neighbor or friend in trouble.

He has been an enthusiastic member of the Masonic lodge for about 30 years.

Only the power of the Almighty with His divine sympathy and love can fill and smooth the vacancy made by his departure.

He exercised an ardent love for his family and friends and made many sacrifices for the happiness of others.

Funeral services were held from the home Monday afternoon at 1 o'clock conducted by Rev. Curless, of Union assisted by Revs. Eldridge, of Union and Becker, of Whitten. A large number of friends and neighbors were present to pay a tribute of respect to the memory of an old and highly respected friend. Floral offerings from relatives and friends and the Christian church of Whitten graced the casket. The pall bearers were grandsons, George and Arthur Snovel, Thomas and Harold Moore, and Walter Haskin and a grand son-in-law, C. T. Emmeret. A quartet composed of Mrs. T. Eggleston and daughter, Norma, Ralph Miller and Bert Haxton, sang.

Interment was made in Benson cemetery. At the grave Rev. Eldridge and F. K. Long representing the Masonic lodge at Union, read the burial service of the order.

--The Grundy Democrat (Grundy Center, Iowa), 26 February 1914, pg 1