Alonzo G. Rhoads (1836-1908)

RHOADS, RHOADES, PALMER, BERRY, BERREY, ANSON

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 4/8/2017 at 16:33:07

From Nevada Representative September 14, 1906 (front page)

Pioneer Department

Death at Denver of A. G. Rhoades

A paper received from Denver, reports the death there on September 4 of Alonzo G. Rhoades, who was one of the family by that name that were well and most favorably known in this vicinity in the early day. A letter from his sister, Mrs. Laura Berry, says that it was fifty years this last summer since th first saw Nevada. Mrs. Berry remained here longer thann did some others of her family; but all of them were identified with this community as pioneers. Mr. Alonzo Rhoads removed to Colorado before the was and he became there a man of consequence and standing. His death receives prominent notice in the Denver Post; and from this notice we quote the following:

"It is impossible to measure or to express in words the grief felt by the Colorado pioneers over the death of Alonzo G. Rhoads, one of their most cherished members. He has been with them from the beginning and always in the light of a genial, cordial, splendid fellowship. In their daily intercourse he radiated the spirit of wit and humor; in their annual reunions he was the guiding influence in their merry making. Every man and woman in the association was his friend. There were no enemies anywhere among the wide circle of his acquaintance.

"Gifted with superior business ability he prospered, and while no great wealth was accumulated his income was sufficient to meet his own moderate desires and those of his family. The ambition of his life seemed to be to promote peace and happiness among his fellowmen, to inculcate the idea that right living consisted largely in doing good. No one ever was a frown upon his face. He seemed always to be the in----tion of rollicking good nature, exhaling kindness, benevolence and with malice toward none, but with charity to all, he pursued the right as God gave him to see the right to the end of his days.

"Alonzo G. Rhoads, pioneer, soldier, philanthropist, business history maker and influential lodge man, is dead. He was born in Pierpont, Ashtabula county, Ohio a little more than 69 years ago. When 23 years of age he crossed the plains to Colorado with a team of oxen and since that day he has taken an active part in the business of the state. When 20 years old, fascinated by what he had heard of the West, he attempted to make the trip across the plains, but, meeting insurmountable difficulties, turned back and waited three years more before attempting the journey again.

"Mr. Rhoades always found time to give attention to charitable enterprises and after disposing of his business devoted nearly all his time to philanthropic work. At the time of his death he was treasurer of the Colorado Humane society. He had been a director of the Associated Charities. In 1894 Mr. Rhoades was elected to a three year term on the school board and this was the only public office he ever held. For two terms he was president of the Colorado Pioneers' association, and in 1864 joined company M, Third Colorado cavalry, and was a member of A. Lincoln Post, No. 4, G. A. R.

"Besides with widow, who is vice chairman of the Republican state central committee, Mr. Rhoades leaves three brothers--Messrs. Justus M., Halsey M. and Ralph W., and Mrs. Laura A. Berry, Theresa S. Rhoades of this city and Mrs. M. Anson of Monta Vista, Colo. He was married to Miss Thalia A. Palmer at Elkader, Iowa, which place he removed to Ohio in 1857.

SUBMITTER'S NOTE: "Mrs. Laura Berry" was Laura Rhoads who married Charles D. Berry/Berrey on 28 February 1859 in Story County, Iowa. The family is listed in the 1860 Nevada, Story County, Iowa. Their father, Frederick Wolcott Rhoads is buried in Nevada, Iowa.