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From the book entitled: Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume 2
By: Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois, Newton Bateman
Editors: Newton Bateman, Paul Selby, Charles Linnaeus Hostetter
Publisher: Munsell publishing company, 1913

Thomas B. Rhodes, a prominent lumber merchant and ex-mayor of Mt. Carroll, is a member of the firm carrying on the largest enterprise of its kind in Carroll county. He was born in Savanna, Ill., November 20, 1860, son of John B. and Mary J. (Pierce) Rhodes, the former from Hanoverton, Columbiana county, O. The Rhodes family was formerly from Virginia, moving thence to Ohio, and John B. Rhodes was one of the early settlers of Savanna. He found employment as a clerk in a store, which he afterwards purchased and con.ducted himself, but later sold it and run a steamboat ou the Mississippi, being captain in command of various boats for more than twentyfive years. A large stockholder in the old Northern Line Packet Company, he was a prominent and successful business man. He served us sheriff of Carroll county when that officer collected the taxes, and many times advanced the tax money for the majority of the farmers, who in turn paid him at the time

their crops were sold. ln his later years he prondly boasted that no man had ever defaulted for a dollar in these transactions. This speaks well for the good intentions and honesty of the early settlers of the county, who compare most favorably with those of today. Captain Rhodes was a leader in political and business circles and had the respect and confidence of al1. His wife was the first white child bom in Carroll county, her parents being among the very first settlers. There were lndians in the neighborhood at that time, to whom the little white child was a great curiosity and many of them visited her daily. They often took the baby home with them to their tepees and there cared for her through the day, bringing her home at night. The mother was somewhat uneasy when her child was so long out of her sight, but no harm ever came to the little one.

At the time Captain Rhodes came to 11linois he made the trip from Ohio driving a flock of sheep, the first brought to the county, and his parents came at the same time. He died September 9, 1906, at the age of eighty-nine years. His marriage occurred in 1846 and his children were: Esther and Edward, who died in infancy; William P. and Henry C., who are retired and living in Savanna; Laura P., who is Mrs. C. W. Fairbanks, of Savanna; John B. and Thomas B., twins, who are in partnership in two lines of business, a lumber business in Mt . Carroll, conducted by the latter, and a hardware business in Savanna, conducted by the former; and R. E., who is in a real estate business in Los Angeles, Oa1. Mrs. Rhodes died in 1877, and Captain Rhodes married (second) Mrs. Lydia Craig, now living in Savanna, no issue.

Thomas B. Rhodes attended the common and high schools of Savanna, after which he secured employment with his brothers, William P. and Henry C., then conducting a lumber business at Savanna, from which they have since retired. The former was placed in charge of the yard at Mt. Carroll in 1884 and has since lived in that city. He is a Republican in politics and has held various city offices, formerly being a member of the board of education, alderman and mayor, for one term, giving the public the best of service, always having the best interests of the city at heart and contributing his share to the general welfare and progress of his community. Prominent in fraternal
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circles, he is a member of the Masons, the Knights of Pythias, Modern Woodmen of America and Royal Neighbors. ln the first-named he is affiliated with the Blue lodge, at Mt. Carroll, and the Chapter at Lanark. He is an energetic and ambitious business man, is well liked and popular and has a multitnde of friends.

Mr. Rhodes was married, October 8, 1884, to Emma, daughter of Frederick and Laura (Cummings) Chambers, of Savanna, whose family was among the pioneers in Carroll county. Children as follows blessed this union. Frederick, who was born April 12, 1886, is associated with his father in the lumber business, and married Elizabeth Tunkey, issue—Thomas and Frederick; Mary Laura, who was born April 4, 1888, married George G. Merritt, of Elgin, Ill., issue—Georgia; and Mabel E., who is at home.

From: Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume 2, By Newton Bateman, Paul Selby, page 876-877

Thomas B. Rhodes, a prominent lumber merchant and ex-mayor of Mt Carroll, is a member of the firm carrying on the largest enterprise of its kind In Carroll county. He was born in Savanna, Ill., November 20, 1860, son of John B. and Mary J. (Pierce) Rhodes, the former from Hanoverton, Columbiana county, OH The Rhodes family was formerly from Virginia, moving thence to Ohio, and John B. Rhodes was one of the early settlers of Savanna. He found employment as a clerk in a store, which he afterwards purchased and conducted himself, but later sold it and run a steamboat on the Mississippi, being captain in command of various boats for more than twenty- five years. A large stockholder in the old Northern Line Tucket Company, he was a prominent and successful business man. He served as sheriff of Carroll county when that officer collected the taxes, and many times advanced the tax money for the majority of the farmers, who in turn paid him at the time their crops were sold. In his later years he proudly boasted that no man had ever defaulted for a dollar in these transactions. This speaks well for the good Intentions and honesty of the early settlers of the county, who compare most favorably with those of today. Captain Rhodes was a leader in political and business circles and had the respect and confidence of all. His wife was the first white child born In Carroll county, her parents being among the very first settlers. There were Indians in the neighborhood at that time, to whom the little white child was a great curiosity and many of them visited her daily. They often took the baby home with them to their tepees and there cared for her through the day, bringing her home at night The mother was somewhat uneasy when her child was so long out of her sight, but no harm ever came to the little one.

At the time Captain Rhodes came to Illinois he made the trip from Ohio driving a flock of sheep, the first brought to the county, and his parents came at the same time. He died September 9, 1906, at the age of eighty-nine years. His marriage occurred in 1846 and his children were: Esther and Edward, who died in infancy; William P. and Henry C., who are retired and living In Savanna; Laura P., who is Mrs. C. W. Fairbanks, of Savanna; John B. and Thomas B., twins, who are in partnership in two lines of business, a lumber business In Mt Carroll, conducted by the latter, and a hardware business in Savanna, conducted by the former; and R. E., who is in a real estate business in Los Angeles, Gal. Mrs. Rhodes died in 1877, and Captain Rhodes married (second) Mrs. Lydia Craig, now living in Savanna, no issue.

Thomas B. Rhodes attended the common and high schools of Savanna, after which he secured employment with his brothers, William P. and Henry C., then conducting a lumber business at Savanna, from which they have since retired. The former was placed in charge of the yard at Mt Carroll in 1884 and has since lived in that city. He is a Republican in polities and has held various city offices, formerly being a member of the board of education, alderman and mayor, for one term, giving the public the best of service, always having the best Interests of the city at heart and contributing his share to the general welfare and progress of his "community. Prominent in fraternal circles, he is a member of the Masons, the Knights of Pythias, Modern Woodmen of America and Royal Neighbors. In the first-named he Is affiliated with the Blue lodge, at Mt. Carroll, and the Chapter at Lanark. He is an energetic and ambitious business man, is well liked and popular and has a multitude of friends.

Mr. Rhodes was married, October 8, 1884, to Emma, daughter of Frederick and Laura (Cummlngs) Chambers, of Savanna, whose family was among the pioneers In Carroll county. Children as follows blessed this union. Frederick, who was born April 12, 1886, Is associated with his father in the lumber business, and married Elizabeth Tunkey, Issue—Thomas and Frederick; Mary Laura, who was born April 4, 1888, married George G. Merritt, of Elgin, 111., issue—Georgia; and Mabel E., who is at home.