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Taken from:
Portrait and biographical record of Macoupin County, Illinois: containing
biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the
county, together with biographies of all the governors of the state, and of
the presidents of the United States
(Chicago: Biographical Pub. Co.,1891), p. 729-730.
Charles
C. Rhoads. There is an inclination in our country of recent origin to
found an aristocracy, not considering individual advantages and power, but
upon the fame attained by the early ancestors of a few families resident in
the East. We hope that the sentiments of right minded and sensible people
will make this attempt abortive. At the same time one cannot help taking a
pride in the fact that one's ancestors have taken a prominent part in the
Colonial struggles that resulted in the successful establishment of a
Republic, the like of which has never been known. Were there in reality a
blue book the family of our subject would rank high therein, for several of
them have done good service both in the Revolutionary War and the patriotic
War of 1812.
Charles C. Rhoads who resides on section 17,
Shipman Township, is the son of Henry Rhoads who was born in Greyson
County, Ky. His mother was Mary Cleaver, who was born in Meade County, the
same state. They came from Greyson County to what is now Jersey County,
Ill., May 1830, and after living there for about one year they removed to
Macoupin County, and settled in Chesterfield Township, where the mother's
death occurred in 1835. The father passed away in Shipman Township, August
20, 1854.
Our subject is one of six children, being the
fourth in order of birth. He was born August 11, 1824. He was nearly six
years old when his parents removed to Illinois and he grew to manhood in
Chesterfield Township. His marriage took place in Jersey County, March 15,
1846, his wife's maiden name being Emeline Darr. After a marital experience
of twenty-six years, she departed this life in Shipman Township, September
15, 1872. Soon after his marriage, Mr. Rhoads settled on the farm where he
now lives and upon which he has ever since been a resident.
He was again married in Jersey County, Ill.,
October 9, 1873, his second wife being Mrs. Elinor Randolph, a daughter of
William and Delilah (Waggoner) McDou, the former of whom was born in Madison
County, Ill., and the latter in Virginia. [William McDou] departed life in
Otterville, Jersey County, March 14, 1887. The second Mrs. Rhoads was the
widow of Moore Randolph of Jersey County. Her first husband died in the
same county near Delhi, July 4, 1858. She had one daughter by that
marriage, whose name is Eva. This lady is now the wife of Joseph Blackstock.
Mrs. Elinor Rhoads was born in Jersey County, May 30, 1835. Two children
are the fruit of this union, their names being respectively Della C. and
Bernie.
The original of this sketch has always been
engaged in agricultural life and at the present time is proprietor of a fine
farm comprising two hundred and forty acres, which he has brought up from a
raw state to one of high cultivation. His home is a good brick house,
commanding a delightful prospect of the surrounding country with every
convenience and many elegancies that make life pleasant. He has made many
valuable improvements on his farm, and altogether it is one of the best in
that township.
Various offices have been conferred upon our
subject by virtue of his known loyalty to true Governmental principles and
because of his high reputation for honor and integrity. He filled the
office of Constable for one term and Justice of the Peace for one term. He
has ever taken an active part in political affairs, casting the weight of
his influence and vote with the Republican party. Mr. and Mrs. Rhoads and
daughters are members of the Baptist Church of which body our subject has
been a Trustee for nearly forty years.
The paternal grandfather of Mr. Rhoads was
Jacob Rhoads, a soldier in the Revolutionary War. He acted as a spy at
that time for the Colonists, and as a return for the risk that he ran and
the dangers that threatened his life at every turn he was awarded seven
thousand acres of land by the Government. Our subject's father served as a
soldier in the War of 1812, and has left behind him an enviable record that
is precious to his son of bravery and loyalty to the principles involved in
the struggle.
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