From the book entitled: Genealogical and memorial
encyclopedia of the state of Maryland: a record of the achievements of
her people in the making of a commonwealth and the founding of a
nation, Volume 2
Genealogical and Memorial Encyclopedia of the State of Maryland: A
Record of the Achievements of Her People in the Making of a
Commonwealth and the Founding of a Nation, Richard Henry Spencer
Authors: Richard Henry Spencer, American Historical Society
Publisher: The American historical society, inc., 1919
OLIVER L. RHODES For forty years Mr. Rhodes was a resident of
Baltimore, prominent in business life, a devoted member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church South, and a citizen of sterling worth: A
man of attractive personality, lovable in character, loyal in his
friendships and upright in all things, he had many friends, these
including bishops and other dignitaries of the church. Rev. Sam P.
Jones was his close friend, and it was due to the efforts of Mr. Rhodes
that that great Southern Evangelist was able to hold his first meeting
in Baltimore. A man of quiet, domestic taste, he was best appreciated
by those who knew him intimately, and to that inner circle was revealed
those noble traits of character which marked him as the true Christian
gentleman.
Oliver L. Rhodes was born at Bridgewater, in the Shenandoah Valley,
Virginia, in 1850, died at his home at Forest Park, Baltimore,
Maryland, May 27, 1915. When a mere boy he entered the Confederate
service, serving the last two years in the cavalry under Colonel Mosby.
He was but fifteen when the war closed, and from military he returned
to school life. After completing his studies he remained in Virginia
until 1875, men located in the city of Baltimore, ever afterward his
home. For eighteen years he was engaged in business as a wholesale
dealer in hats, but later he became interested in other business
activities of importance.
He was a staunch Democrat of the Jeffersonian type, was for two years
chief engrossing clerk of the Maryland Legislature during Governor
Crothers' administration, and at the time of his death was assessor to
the Appeal Tax Court, a position he had held four years, and to which
he had just been re-appointed by Mayor Preston. While he had ever been
an active party worker, he never sought office for himself, the above
being the only public positions he ever accepted.
He was a prominent figure in Baltimore Methodism, devoted to the
interests of his church, serving for twenty-five years on the official
board of Emmanuel Methodist Episcopal Church South. He was very proud
of his church, attended many of the annual conferences, and delighted
in the friendships he held among the clergy, many of whom he
entertained most enjoyably at his hospitable home. Said one writer who
had been entertained by Mr. and Mrs. Rhodes in "princely style": "An
atmosphere of culture and refinement threw about the home an
indescribable charm. There a guest for weeks the memories of that stay
still linger with us as an evening benediction."
Mr. Rhodes married, in 1882, Mary Cochran, a resident of Baltimore, who
survives him, with one son, E. Oliver Rhodes.