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From: Title: History of Richland County, Ohio, from 1808 to 1908: Also Biographical Sketches of Prominent Citizens of the County, Abraham J. Baughman
Author: Abraham J. Baughman
Publisher: S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1908. Page 875-876

Henry P. Rhodes is a worthy representative of the agricultural interests of Richland county, where he is now making his home. He was born on his present farm in Jackson township, December 26, 1842, a son of Henry Philip and Rachel (Stoner) Rhodes, both of whom were natives of the Keystone state, the former born in Lancaster county, November 22, 1808, while the latter was born in York county, September 15, 1813. They were reared and married in Pennsylvania and in 1831 made their way to Richland county, Ohio, settling on an unimproved tract of land, on which the father made a small clearing and erected a log house, in which they took up their abode. In 1850 he replaced that rude dwelling with a more modern structure, which is still standing on the place. The family numbered nine children, of whom five still survive, namely: Elizabeth, the wife of Washington Bloom, of Michigan; Henry P., of this re-view; Sarah, the wife of Dr. Franklin Paul, of Milford, Indiana; David, who is mentioned on another page of this work; and Melvina, the wife of George Armold. a resident of Jackson township. Both the parents are now demised, the mother passing away in October, 1888, while the father survived for several years and died in March, 1896, when he had reached the venerable age of eighty-eight years. He was numbered among the worthy citizens and prominent pioneers of Richlnnd county. Henry P. Rhodes was reared in the usual manner of farm lads, assisting in the work of the home place from the time of early spring planting until the crops were harvested in the late autumn, while during the winter seasons he pursued his studies in the district school*. He remained under the parental roof until he had reached mature years, when he started out in life on his own account, following the pursuits to which he had been reared as a boy and youth. He is now the owner of seventy-four acres of land situated in Jackson township, which constitutes a part of the old home place, and in addition to this he also has ten acres of timber. He is careful and methodical in carrying on his work and is therefore meeting with good success in his undertakings.

Mr. Rhodes was married October 5, 1869, to Miss Margaret Light, who was born near Ganges, Richland county, June 1, 1849, a daughter of Michael and Catherine (Hinkst) Light, the former a native of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, while the latter was born in Cumberland county, that state. They came from their respective homes to Ohio with their parents, the father being a young man of nineteen years, while the mother was a little maiden of twelve years at the time of her arrival in the Buckeye state. Mr. and Mrs. Light located on a farm a mile and a quarter south of Ganges, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Their children, ten in number, were as follows: Mrs. Mary Reppert, who died leaving a family of eight children; Daniel, a resident of Burton Station, Oklahoma, who is married and has a family of nine children; Samuel, who lives in Allen county, Ohio; John, who died at the age of ten years; one who died in infancy; Lydia, the wife of Alfred Uricli, a resident of Mansfield; Mrs. Catherine Bradley, a twin sister of Lydia, and now deceased; George, who resided in Ponca, Oklahoma, where he practiced as a physician and attorney, and served in the Civil war as a member of the One Hundred and Second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, being also a representative from Putnam county, Ohio, to the general assembly for four years but is now deceased; Michael, who died at the age of eighteen years; and Margaret, now Mrs. Rhodes.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Rhodes has been blessed with two daughters: Rachel Catherine, the wife of Boyd Fachler, of Shiloh; and Lida Alberta, at home. Mr. Rhodes gives his political support to the men and measures of the democracy. lie is honorable and straightforward in his business dealings and all who know him have for him warm regard.