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- Albert Ward (Dusty) Rhodes was born, with his twin sister, Nell, on May 2, 1883 in Reading Mi. He moved with his family to Phoenix AZ in 1888-89. As a boy, he attended the West End School, spent summers cooling off in the canals, and was one of two delivery boys for the Arizona Republic(ian) in Phoenix. He worked at Fike's Candy Shop, his brother Will's Bike Shop, and as a mechanic. While growing up in Phoenix, Albert participated in many bike races (which he never lost) and even beat a motorcycle on his bike. He witnessed many milestones and changes as Phoenix grew, including the arrival of the first automobile to Phoenix, and the Arizona Statehood Ceremony at the State Capitol on February 14, 1912.
He married first Sydney B. Vensel ( b. Phoenix, October 1887-d. Phoenix, 1917) and they had two children; Eva Alice b. 22 Feb, 1910, d. 29 Dec 1994, and Elaine Alberta b. 21 Feb. 1912, d. 10 Jan. 2003.
He married second Orpha Ellen Russell (b. Kansas, 26 July, 1902- d. Arizona, 27 June, 1887) and they had two children; twins, b. 29 Mar, 1946, Orpha Ellen and Loda Mary, d. 25 Aug, 1967.
Albert worked as a miner at the Bisbee, Vulture, Constellation Mines and others; he was also a prospector working claims near Wickenburg, Bumblebee, and various other central Arizona locations as well as on the Klamath River in northern California.
Albert was a soldier in the First Illinois Cavalry (1915-1916), serving in southern Texas along the Mexican border. A part of his assignment was to teach riding and horsemanship to others. Albert also served as a member of the Arizona National Guard. He was a deputy sheriff in Maricopa County under sherriffs Johnny Moore and Charlie Wright (approximately 1920-1928). He drove a mail truck from Kingman to Oatman in the late twenties. As a mechanic, he traveled throughout the mid-west with the wheat harvest, and also spent time in Mexico working for the railroad (living as far south as Mexico City).
In 1939 he traveled to visit the Mayor of New York City, Fiorello La Guardia, taking him "Hassayampa Water" from his boyhood home in Arizona. Albert said this was the perfect drink for a politician since, according to legend, once a person has a drink, the water makes one incapable of telling the truth again. Of course, Albert himself had been drinking the water for years. The mayor decided to serve it to the City Council. While in New York, Albert was given "keys to the city" and received a very warm welcome wherever he went.
Albert was an amateur guitar player, a captivating storyteller and an avid photographer. Albert spent most of his long life in Phoenix and around the hills and canyons of central Arizona. He was proud of his Arizona pioneer heritage, belonged to the Arizona Pioneers Association, attending their reunions for many years, and served as the last president of this organization. He served on the board of the Arizona Museum and belonged to the First Families of Arizona. He always showed a deep appreciation for the desert and never tired of its beauty. Albert died on 29 Oct, 1982 at the age of 99.
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The Back Rhodes of Our Genealogy
1883 - 1982 (99 years)
