John W. Rhodes, agricultural implements, Havana. The subject of these
lines was born in Dearborn Co., Ind., Nov. 7, 1841, where he remained until July,
1854, when he removed to Illinois, and settled in Whiteside Co. In April, ,1861, he
enlisted in Co. B, 13th I. V. I., and served until the close of the war, a period of four
years and eleven months. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant in May, 1863 ; in
fall of same year, was promoted to First Lieutenant, and to Captain in the early part of
1864. He participated in the battles of Pea Ridge, Chickasaw Bayou, Jackson, Miss.,
siege of Vicksburg, Atlanta, Lookout Mountain, and was with Sherman on his march
to the sea. After the war ended, he remained one year in Louisiana, and engaged in
the cultivation of cotton, after which he returned to Whiteside Co. In 1869, he came
to Mason Co., where he has since been actively engaged in farming and merchandising.
He was married, in 1869, to Miss Gyrene H. Hancock, who was born in Havana, her
father having settled here as early as 1842, when buildings of any kind were scarce
their dwelling being used for a court-room at an early session of Mason County Court.
They have three children Walter H., Lizzie and Ruth. Mr. R. is a member of
Havana Lodge, No. 88., A., F. & A. M.
The Back Rhodes of Our Genealogy