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WILLIAM C. RHODES. In every branch of industry the advance of Allen County has been remarkably rapid during recent years, and its progress has been equal probably to that of any other section of the state. The present prosperity of the county is well represented in its stockmen and agriculturists, and among these may be mentioned William C. Rhodes, the owner and operator of a well-cultivated farming property in Jackson Township, three miles east of Lafayette.

Mr. Rhodes was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, February 10, 1864. a son of Jacob and Mary (Shaffer) Rhodes, the former a native of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Rhodes was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, and was a young woman when she came to the United States and settled in Montgomery County, where she met and married Mr. Rhodes. Following their union they settled on a farm, on which they rounded out well-ordered, honorable and useful lives, winning and holding the esteem and respect of their neighbors. They were faithful members of the church in their locality and always supported worthy enterprises of a religious, charitable and educational character. While Mr. Rhodes was reared in a democratic family, he early advocated the principles of the republican party, which he continued to support throughout his life. He and his wife were the parents of four children: Amanda. who is deceased; a child who died in infancy; William C.; and John F., a resident of Jackson Township.

William C. Rhodes received his education in the public schools of Montgomery County and at the age of thirteen years completed his studies and came to Allen County, where he was employed by one man for four years. During the first year he received $6 per month for six months, the second year $7 per month for the same time, the third year $8 per month for half a year, and the fourth year his salary was advanced $1 for the same length of time. During the remaining six months in each year he worked for his board without pay. Mr. Rhodes then farmed for one year for one-fourth of the crop, and at that time decided to form a home of his own, although he was without means. In the spring of 1883 he was united in marriage with Miss Millie A. Long, and they faced the future courageously, confident of their own ability to weather any financial storms that might arise. In 1884 they were assisted by the receipt of Mr. Rhodes' share of the home estate, the sum of $2,100, which he immediately invested in fifty-seven acres of land in Jackson Township, to which, through industrious work and good management he has added until he now has 128 acres, all in a good state of cultivation. He is engaged in general farming and stock raising, is a stockholder in the Farmers Co-operative Elevators at Lafayette, and is accounted a business man of the highest integrity and straightforward principles.

Mr. and Mrs. Rhodes have seven children: Wilbur, who assists his father on the home farm, married Clara Long and their three children are Vernon D., Edna M. and Isbell; Bertha is the wife of Mason Kingler; Charles, also at home, married Alice Meyers; Josephine is the wife of Newton Kingler; May; Elmer, who is married; and Mabel, at home. Mr. and Mrs. Rhodes are consistent members of the Reformed Church, in which he has been a deacon and elder for eighteen years and a faithful supporter of all church movements, as well as superintendent of the Sunday school for seven years. Fraternally he is affiliated with Jackson Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he has numerous friends. He has been active and influential in the ranks of the republican party, and has been a member of the County Central Committee for several years. For four years he served very efficiently as a member of the Jackson Township Board of Trustees.

From the book entitle: A Standard History of Allen County, Ohio: An Authentic Narrative of the Past, with Particular Attention to the Modern Era in the Commercial, Industrial, Educational, Civic and Social Development, Volume 2
Editor: William Rusler
Contributor: American Historical Society Publisher: American historical society, 1921, page 286