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From the book entitled: History of Huntington County, Indiana: from the earliest time to the present, with biographical sketches, notes, etc., together with a short history of the Northwest, the Indiana Territory, and the State of Indiana
Publisher: Walsworth Publishing Co., 1887

JAMES W. RHODES, blacksmith and wagon maker, of Andrews, is a native of Fayette County, Ind., where he was born, July 4,1847, being the eighth in a family of ten children born to Ezekiel and Isabel (Williams) Rhodes, who were natives of Virginia and Kentucky, respectively, their marriage occurring in subject's native county. They removed to Wabash County in the year 1848, where they lived until their death, the latter dying in 1854, and the former, 1864. Our subject was reared in Wabash County, receiving a common school education, such as the facilities of those days afforded. At the remarkably young age of sixteen years, November 7, 1863, he entered the service of his country, enlisting in Company L, of the One Hundred and Twenty-Sixth Regiment of Indiana Cavalry, where he served until the close of the war, and was- honorably discharged at Indianapolis, October, 1865. He was present and participitated in the battle of Nashville, in addition to several minor skirmishes. After his return from the army he engaged to learn his trade, at which he has since worked, and he has been very successful. He has a good shop and enjoys a good, profitable trade. September 18,1870, his marriage with Clara Brewer was solemnized, and to their union three children were born, of which these two are now living: Benjamin and Gertrude. March 19, 1886, Mr. Rhodes suffered the bereavement of losing his beloved wife. In politics he is a Republican, and is a member of the town school board. October, 1880, he located at Andrews, and is doing a thriving business.