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From: Title: History of Lynn, Essex County, Massachusetts, inluding LYnnfield, Saugus, Swampscott, and Nahant, 1629-[1893], Volume 2
History of Lynn, Essex County, Massachusetts, Inluding LYnnfield, Saugus, Swampscott, and Nahant, 1629-[1893], James Robinson Newhall
Authors: Alonzo Lewis, James Robinson Newhall
Publisher: G. C. Herbert, 1897. Page 202-203

Rhodes, Amos. Mr. Rhodes was born in Lynn, on the 24th of April, 1795, and died on the I5th of January, 1870. His father was Amos Rhodes, long a prominent business man, in the western section of the town, at that time the chief business part, his dwelling being the one still standing on the east side of Federal street, next south of the mill brook, which house was built by him near the beginning of the present century; and he was the same Amos Rhodes named in the correspondence of Ebenezer Breed, given in the 1865 edition of the History of Lynn, page 523 et seq. The mother of the subject of this notice was Elizabeth, the eldest daughter of Rev. Obadiah Parsons.

Mr. Rhodes graduated at Harvard College with the 1816 class, and for a few years engaged in teaching, spending a part of the time at the south. His absence, however, was of short duration. In 1817 he was preceptor of Lynn Academy. He never prepared himself for entering either of what are called the learned professions, choosing rather to pursue a more sequestered path of usefulness. On the organization of the Lynn Institution for Savings, he was elected treasurer, and filled the office for more than forty years. And to his careful management, scrupulous fidelity, and unwearied vigilance, that institution is indebted for much of its early success. He was also for many years secretary of the Lynn Mechanics Fire and Marine Insurance Company In the reading of choice books, and in the conversation and society of the intellectual and cultivated, he took unflagging delight; and ever seemed more desirous of doing what he could to promote the mental and moral elevation of those about him, than to aid in their struggles for the acquisition of mere wealth. For twenty years— 1830 to 1850 — he acted as librarian of the old Social Library, and no doubt succeeded, during that long period, in forming in many a youthful mind an enduring taste for the better class of reading, as his judgment in the selection of books came to be much relied on. He was a fast friend of Mr. Lewis the poet and historian, and of Mr. Lummus the first Lynn newspaper publisher. He however exercised his pen but little save upon the books pertaining to his daily business ; though his good taste, judgment, and acquirements made him a useful member of the little coterie who wrought in the literary interests of the Mirror during its most successful days.

Mr. Rhodes was among the early members of the Unitarian society, and before the introduction of church organs in Lynn aided the choir by his flute and bass-viol. In the Sunday school, also, he took an active interest; and having labored for the society through all its days of weakness, had the happiness to see it strong and prosperous. But he lamented as much as any the tendency towards extreme rationalistic views, which some years ago began to manifest itself in various sections of the denomination. We remember how grieved he was at some of the sentiments enunciated by Rev. Theodore Parker in his famous sermon preached at South Boston, in or about 1841,'and how pleased he appeared when his own minister, the Rev. Mr. Swctt, after reading a few passages, from the pulpit, in his clear voice and with striking emphasis, added, " If that is Unitarianism I am not a Unitarian."

On the second of December, 1834, Mr. Rhodes married Lydia, a daughter of Winthrop Newhall, but had no children. She survived him. Funeral services over his remains were held in the church where he had so long loved to worship.