The Back Rhodes of Our Genealogy
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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. 900.
Jacob M. Rhoads. This general farmer residing on section 7, Cahokia
Township, is one of the most successful agriculturists and stock-raisers and
has one of the most delightful homes in the township. His residence is
commodious and attractive and his stock are all of best breeds and in
excellent condition. He has lived here since February, 1859, and has made
all the improvements which are to be seen on his estate of one hundred and
sixty acres.
When our subject came to this county he had been living in Greene County for a
number of years although he was born in Macoupin County, and lived here in
childhood. His birth occurred October 24, 1835, and his father, Richard Rhoads,
was a native of Kentucky and a son of John Rhoads, who came with his wife and
family to Illinois, when his son Richard was still a young man and unmarried.
His first home was in Medora and he was the first settler of that place which is
situated in Chesterfield Township. It was there that John Rhoads died having
reached a good old age; he had been twice married but had no children by his
second wife. He was an exhorter in the Baptist Church with which his wives were
also connected.
Richard Rhoads grew to manhood upon the farm and was married in this county to
Hulda Stout, a native of Ohio, who came of pioneer stock and was no doubt
related to the frontier family of that name who suffered so much at the hands of
the Indians. Miss Stout had come to Illinois with her parents who settled in
Greene County at an early day, and there these parents, Elisha and Margaret
Stout, died after reaching the ages of sixty-five and seventy years
respectively. They were Baptists in their church connection and devoted
Christians in life and belief.
The parents of our subject moved from point to point during their early married
life but spent the greater number of years, especially in advanced life, in
Greene County, where they were living when called from earth's activities. They
were well-known throughout that county as pioneers of courage and endurance, and
as devoted Christians and efficient members of the regular Baptist Church. Mr.
Rhoads was a Whig in his political views.
Our subject is one of a large family and most of his boyhood days were spent in
Greene County. After he became of age he was married to Miss Eliza Ward, a
native of Tennessee who was born January 12, 1835, and was but a young child
when her parents William and Lucinda (Duncan) Ward moved from that State to
Illinois about the year 1838. They were a couple of truly religious faith and
life and both died in middle life upon their farm in Greene County. Their
daughter received every advantage which they were able to give her and was
thoroughly equipped for the responsibilities of life and her work as a wife and
mother. She is more than ordinarily devoted to her duties and efficient in their
fulfillment and conscientiously trained her children throughout childhood and
youth.
The children of our subject are Alvin W. who married Mary Huddleston of DeWitt
County, and assists his father in managing the home farm. William M., who took
to wife Nettie Stanton and is farming in Montgomery County; Lucy E. who is at
home; Jasper M., who took to wife Mollie Callenborn and lives in Missouri, and
Lilla M. wife of John Mercer, a farmer in this township. Mr. Rhoads has been for
some time both Steward and Trustee of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which
he and his wife are connected. In his political belief he is in sympathy with
the Democratic party and while he has never sought office he has ever taken an
active interest in public affairs and served at one time as Township Collector.
