William Rhodes

RHODES

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 11/8/2022 at 17:16:24

William Rhodes

William Rhodes is a prominent farmer and mill owner of Fertile township. He was born in London, Canada West, Dec 2, 1833, being the eldest son of John J. and Parmelia (Wilson) Rhodes. The father was born in Onondaga Co., N. Y. Oct. 16, 1806, the mother Canada, March 9, 1807. In 1839 they emigrated to Rosco, Winnebago Co., Ill., where the father died, Feb 9, 1859, the mother in February, 1877. They had seven children. He was reared on his father's farm and received a good education. In January, 1856, he came to Charles City, Iowa engaged in carpenter work until August 6, then came to his present home in Worth county. He built a cabin on section 34, township 98, range 22, in what was afterward called Fertile township, where has since resided.
He was married July 5, 1859, to Hannah Pence, born in Jackson Co., Iowa, Nov. 11, 1839. Her parents were early settlers of that county; her father a native of Ohio, and her mother of Kentucky.
On Aug. 22, 1862, Mr. Rhodes enlisted in company B. 32d Iowa Volunteers, and served the full term of enlistment with that regiment. He was on detached service with Sherman's expedition from Memphis, Tenn., to Meridian, Miss. On his return to Memphis he was ordered to join Maj.-Gen. Banks in the Red River expedition, and participated in all the battles of that disastrous campaign. At the battle of Pleasant Hill, La., April 9, 1865, his company went into the fight with forty-nine men, and came out with only sixteen, six of whom were wounded. Mr. Rhodes remained near Capt. Miller until the latter's death, and then secured his sword and watch, and subsequently forwarded them to his friends. He was discharged at Clinton, Iowa. Aug 24, 1865 and returned to his home in Fertile township, where he still resides.
Mr. Rhodes is a member of the republican party, and is considered a very radical temperance man on State questions. He has held offices of trust since the organization of the township, was a member of the county board of supervisors, and served as chairman during his term of office.
Mr. and Mrs. Rhodes are the parents of eight children, five of whom are living - John F., Ella M., Frank, A. E. and Grace. Clara A., L. W. and Lydia died when young. The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Source: History of Mitchell and Worth Counties, Iowa, 1884, p.753

Worth Biographies maintained by Karon S. Velau.
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