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From the book entitled: History of Effingham county, Illinois
Editor: William Henry Perrin
Publisher: O. L. Baskin & co., 1883

JOHN RHODES, grain dealer, Altamont. Among the business men of this town is Mr. Rhodes, who is a native of this State; he was born in Fayette County March 9, 1843, the youngest son and child of Joseph and Margaret Rhodes, both natives of Fayette County, Penn., and settled in Perry County, Ohio, remaining there several years; about the year 1840, removed to Greene County, Illinois, and removed to Fayette County, where he settled and has since remained. To them were born nine children, of whom two sons and daughters are living. John remained at homo on the farm until twenty-eight years of age, when he engaged in farming on his own account, continuing here until the fall of 1872, when he came to Altamont and engaged in the livery business with his brother Jacob, under the firm name of Rhodes Bros.; this continued about four years, when he engaged in the saloon business, which he still runs. Since March, 1882, he has been associated with Samuel Cooper in the grain and stock business. He was married, October 1, 1871, to Samantha White, daughter of J. M. 'White and Desdemona ShelI. He has two children —John and James E. He is a member of the American Legion of Honor, No. 160.