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From the book entitled: History of Decatur County, Iowa, and its people, Volume 2
Author: Heman Conoman Smith
Editor: J. M. Howell
Publisher: The S. J. Clarke publishing company, 1915

Jacob Rhodes, a highly esteemed citizen of Bloomington township, who is now living retired upon his excellent farm in that township, was born February 11, 1836, in Highland county, Ohio, a son of Samuel and Catherine (Frump) Rhodes, natives respectively of Virginia and Delaware. The former died many years ago and the latter on the 28th of November, 1897. To their union were born the following children: Jacob, of this review, is the oldest of the family. Nancy passed away in Jackson county, Missouri. John died in Pike county, Ohio, in 1903. Harriet died in early womanhood. Lewis is farming in Bloomington township, this county. He enlisted in August, 1862, in Company G, Sixtieth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and after being discharged at Camp Denison reenlisted in August, 1863, in Company G, Thirty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry. At the close of the war he was discharged at Camp Denison and remained there until 1871, when he came to Iowa. Seven years later he located in this county, where he has since resided. His political belief is that of the republican party. Margaret is the widow of Wilson Keeler and resides in Ross county, Ohio. Minerva, who is the widow of James Doran, is living at Beatrice, Nebraska. Ellen died in Illinois about two decades ago. Samuel lives in Ross county, Ohio. Gary is a resident of Bloomington township, this county.

Jacob Rhodes removed to Decatur county, Iowa, with his family in 1880 and settled in Bloomington township, where he is still living. He has devoted his time to farming and stock-raising and has gained a competence which now enables him to live retired. While actively engaged in agricultural pursuits he was known as a progressive and energetic farmer and aided in raising the agricultural standards of his township.

Mr. Rhodes married Miss Jane Ellen Coder, of Highland county, Ohio, who, however, was born in Pike county, that state. Her birth occurred November 28, 1842, and she was a daughter of Mr. and Airs. James K. Coder, representatives of old Ohio families who settled at Letts, Iowa, in 1864, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Mrs. Rhodes was the second of nine children, six sons and three daughters, the others being: John, Newton, Thomas, Sarah, Frank, Lemuel, Allie and Charles. Only five of the family are still living. The demise of Mrs. Rhodes occurred in Decatur county, Iowa, in 1901. She was a member of the Adventist church, to which her husband likewise belongs. To their union were born three sons and four daughters, namely: Mrs. Maggie Fry, of Waterloo, Iowa; Rosa, who is at home with her father; Eva, who married W. W. Wiley, who is residing near Davis City; Charles T., a farmer of Bloomington township; William, who is living in Bloomington township; and who married Miss Helen Brown, a daughter of Clifton Brown, of Leon; and Iva and Frank, both deceased.

Mr. Rhodes is an active republican and has done much effective work in the party ranks. During the Civil war he was a member of a company raised in southern Ohio to oppose the advance of Morgan, the famous Confederate raider. He has at all times cooperated willingly in movements seeking the public welfare and has many stanch friends in Bloomington township, where he has resided for many years.