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From the book entitled: Centennial history of Rush County, Indiana, Volume 2
By: Abraham Lincoln Gary
Publisher: Historical Pub. Co., 1921

WILLIAM F. RHODES, a well-known citizen of Center township, this county, is a native son of Rush county and was born on December 13, 1845, being the son of Abraham and Mary (Stroup) Rhodes. His father was born and reared in the state of Ohio, whence he came to Rush county soon after his marriage, settling on a tract of land and becoming a successful and prosperous farmer. To him and his wife were born twelve children of which number there are four survivors, namely: Henry, William F., Nancy and Sarah. William F. Rhodes received his educational training in the common schools of his home neighborhood and has spent practically his entire life on the home farm. He remained as his father's assistant up to the time of his marriage, when he purchased eighty acres, later twenty acres, still later half of the homestead, making a total of 210 acres, and has continued to operate it to the present time, though he does not now take so active a part in the work of the farm as formerly, owing to his advancing years. He has always carried on general farming and stock raising, in which he has showed sound business judgment, and his place is well improved and numbered among the best farms of Center township. Mr. Rhodes was married to Eliza Buscher, who was born and reared in Rush county, the daughter of Edward and Susanna (Hepner) Buscher. To Mr. and Mrs. Rhodes have been born four children, of whom two are living, namely: Ara Leonard, who married Luticia Skillman, a native of Rush county; Effie who became the wife of Leroy Divelbiss, of Rush county, and has four children, Bernard, Gilbert, Myrtle and Ruby; Edward (deceased), who was born on October 9,1868, received his education in the schools of Center township, and then engaged in teaching school, in addition to which he also farmed; he married Mrs. Anna J. (Clark) Rhodes and they had one child, Marie, and Amy, who died aged twenty months. Mr. Rhodes has been true to his conscience and his judgment in every relation of life, having so lived as to receive the confidence and respect of the entire community, where his influence has ever been given in support of those things which make for the general welfare.