Lydia Jane "Eliza" (Johnson) Rhode (1932)

BRICKER, BYRNE, JOHNSON, LEWIS, RHODE

Posted By: Treva Patterson
Date: 2/8/2007 at 13:55:12

The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
October 1932

Lydia Jane Johnson was born in Van Buren County, Iowa, near Hillsboro, November 16, 1852. She was the fourth child in a family of ten children, of whom three brothers and three sisters are now living. Her parents Benjamin and Mary Johnson came to Iowa in 1843, buying land from the government and built their first home, a pioneer cabin. In 1857, they built a substantial brick house. It was laid out at night by the north star. The brick was brought from Keokuk, a distance of more than 40 miles. After 75 years this house is yet in a fine state of preservation. Two sisters and a brother reside there, the ownership of the home never having been outside the family.

Lydia received her education at the district school, and afterward at Whittier College in Salem, Iowa, where she met J. W. Rhode. She then taught school until her marriage to Mr. Rhode August 21, 1873.

They first lived on a farm in Lee County, later moving to Ft. Madison where Mr. Rhode practiced law. In 1900 they came to Earlham at which place they have since resided.

Mrs. Rhode joined the Christian Church in her early girlhood. She later affiliated with the church of her early choice in Ft. Madison. She was a charter member of the Church of Christ in Earlham enjoying the privileges and she was active in its lines of work as long as her health permitted. Its faith, comfort and interest were always dear to her heart.

She became a member of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union during the early years of the organization and because of her long years of efficient, loving, faithful service was given a Life Membership by the Madison County, W.C.T.U. in 1925.

To Mr. and Mrs. Rhode were born three children: Vada C. of Earlham, who has given to the home and the invalid mother most devoted and untiring care; Mrs. Myrtle Bricker and Halla Margaret, both of Des Moines. There are also four grandchildren; Mrs. Cecil Lewis and Mrs. Mary Byrne of Earlham and Ruth and Dale Bricker of Des Moines.

Nine years ago Mr. and Mrs. Rhode celebrated their golden wedding surrounded by their children and grandchild, and receiving the congratulations of their many local friends and a host of others throughout the state. Since then the return of these anniversaries and the birthdays have been times of happy family gatherings, greatly enjoyed by the mother in her years of increasing invalidism.

Mrs. Rhode passed away on Oct. 16, 1932, aged 79 years and 11 months.
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Earlham Echo
Earlham, Iowa
Thursday, October 20, 1932

MRS. J. W. RHODE, 79, SUMMONED HOME

Death Ends Long Life of Usefulness to Community; Funeral Services Wednesday.

Mrs. Lydia Jane Johnson Rhode, wife of Mr. J. W. Rhode, well known attorney passed away at her home in west Earlham Sunday afternoon. She was nearly 80 years of age, and for the past 32 years had resided in Earlham, where she and her husband removed in 1900 from Fort Madison. Mr. and Mrs. Rhode recently celebrated their fifty-ninth wedding anniversary.

Funeral services were conducted at the Earlham Church of Christ Wednesday afternoon by the Rev. Mrs. Hurd of Redfield, assisted by Rev. B. W. McEldowney. Burial will be at Earlham Cemetery after the arrival of a daughter, Miss Halla Rhode, who was located Wednesday in Illinois and arrived this morning.

Mrs. Rhode’s was a life dedicated to community service and she was prominent in her church and in the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union, of which she had long been a member. The high esteem in which she was held in highest tribute from all who knew her and surpasses any words that The Echo might add, though the editor has known Mr. and Mrs. Rhode for many years.

Mrs. Rhode is survived by her husband and three daughters, Miss Vada M. of Earlham, Mrs. Myrtle Bricker and Miss Halla Rhode of Des Moines. Also surviving are four grandchildren, Mrs. Cecil Lewis and Mrs. Mary Byrne of Earlham, Miss Ruth Bricker and Mr. Dale Bricker of Des Moines. The obituary will be printed in our next issue.
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Earlham Echo – Earlham, Iowa
October 27, 1932

OBSERVE LAST RITES FOR MRS. J. W. RHODE

Much Loved Earlham Woman Was Laid To Rest in Cemetery Here Last Thursday.

A family funeral service for Mrs. J. W. Rhode, who passed away on Sunday, Oct. 16, was held from her home last Thursday morning. The short commemoration ritual was conducted by the Rev. Mrs. Hurd, of Redfield. Interment was in the Earlham Cemetery. Public services had been held the preceding day at the Church of Christ here.

Miss Halla Rhode, daughter of the deceased, arrived in Earlham Wednesday evening after a hurried trip from the East where she had been on a motor trip with friends. Previous efforts by the family to locate her had been unsuccessful. Miss Rhode is employed in the Indian department of the Iowa historical museum.
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Coordinator's note: Her first name, "Lydia", is found on all vital records except the 1880 and 1900 censuses and her gravestone where she went by "Eliza". Her name on her death certificate agrees with these obituaries.

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