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From the book entitled: Portrait and biographical record of Stark county, Ohio: containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, together with biographies and portrait of all the presidents of the United States
Author: Chapman Publishing Company
Publisher: Chapman bros., 1892, p.486-7

D. RHODES is a prominent farmer, located ' on section 1, Lawrence Township, and an early settler in this locality. He was born on the farm where he now resides, January 14, 1820. Mr. Rhodes is a son of George and Margaret (Smith) Rhodes, both natives of Pennsylvania. The parents lived in Pennsylvania until 1808, when they came to Stark County and located in Canton, which at that time comprised only three buildings.

After living in Canton for two years, the Rhodes family came to Lawrence Township and took up the section of land as above named. There they built a log cabin, which the family entered before it had either floor or chimney. George Rhodes bent every energy toward developing his farm, and at the end of a long and useful life the result of his labor was seen in the changed aspect of the land. Grandfather Rhodes, whose given name was Frederick, was a native of Germany, and came to the United States when a young man. He settled in Pennsylvania, but spent his last years in Stark County, Ohio. Our subject's mother lived to be eighty-nine years old.

D. Rhodes was one of a family of seven children, which comprised four daughters and three sons. All grew to manhood and womanhood, and became the heads of families. Our subject is the sixth child and second son. His first recollection of school days is of the primitive log house, with the most meagre accommodations, and a system in which the birch rod played an important part. The youth remained with his parents until twentyone years of age, when he determined to see what fortune held in store for him. He learned the carpenter's trade and purchased a threshing-machine, carrying on the two occupations in conjunction for twelve years.

When, in 1849, the gold excitement penetrated all parts of this country, our subject started across the plains with a prairie schooner via Salt Lake City. His company proceeded at once to California, and after witnessing the novel state of society in Sacramento, Mr. Rhodes proceeded North to the rough-and-ready mines at Nevada City. He spent some two years there in mining, and then returned to Ohio via New York City. Satisfied with his experience of outside life, he settled down to farming.

Mr. Rhodes was married in 1850 to Margaret Machaner, who was born in Uniontown. The young people located one mile south of Canal Fulton, where our subject was engaged in the gristmill business for a year. lie then went into the hotel business at Canal Fulton, the hostelry of which he was proprietor being known as the American House. After spending two years there, he sold out and bought the old homestead where he now lives. Mr. and Mrs. Rhodes have been the parents of thirteen children. The living are named as follows: Emrna, Lavina, IJolle, Alta, Clara, Charles and Grace. Our subject owns one hundred and ten acres of the finest land in the township. There is not a foot of waste ground on the farm. He pays much attention to stockraising and has been very successful. In politics, Mr. Rhodes is a Democrat. Us has held various local offices in the township. He, with the other members of his family, belongs to the Christian Church, in which he is a Deacon.