O. H. Rhodes, M. D., the only physician of Baldwin, and a resident of this place since 1873, was born in Madison County, but was reared and educated in Buffalo, N. Y. His father, Dr. Arnold H. Rhodes, emigrated to Wisconsin and from there came to Jackson County, Ill., and located in De Soto, where his death occurred. In the family wore five sons and three daughters, and it is worthy of note that two of the sons became practicing physicians, while the other three were druggists.
The subject of this sketch conducted his medical studies under his father’s supervision. He enlisted in the Sixty-second Illinois Infantry and served for three years as Assistant Surgeon of that regiment, which, joining the Kentucky Brigade, and being assigned to the Western army, took part in all the campaigns of that corps. At the close of the war, in the spring of 1865, the Doctor located at Preston, where he remained until 1873, the date of his arrival in Baldwin. In 1860, in Jackson County, Ill., he was united in marriage with Miss Rachel Cochran, and they became the parents of one daughter, Amanda, now the wife of Dr. William K. Wright, of Mt. Auburn, Ill. Mrs. Rachel Rhodes died in 1868. The Doctor afterward married Miss Sarah A., daughter of Joseph Beattie.
Upon coming to Baldwin Dr. Rhodes erected his present drug store, which he stocked with a general line of drugs, and has since conducted a profitable trade, in addition to attending to his professional practice. It will thus be seen that he is a busy man. His practice is extensive, as large perhaps as that of any physician in the county. Socially he is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and belongs to the post at Baldwin. Politically he is a Republican.
From the book entitled: The Portrait and Biographical Record of Randolph, Jackson, Perry and Monroe Counties, Illinois
Published by Biographical Publishing Co. in 1894