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Thanks to Wayne Rhodes of the Jones Memorial Library in Lynchburg, Virginia for bringing us the following data. Check out their website at www.jmlibrary.org.

Westerfield, Thomas W., editor, Kentucky Genealogy and Biography (Volume I) Sketches from Hancock, La Rue, Hardin, Edmonson, Hart, Breckinridge, Grayson, and Mead Counties Reprinted from Kentucky: A History of the State by Battle, Perrin, Kniffin, 1885-1886. (Owensboro, KY: Genealogical Reference Co., 1970), p. 152-153.

Elias Rhodes was born in Breckinridge County, April 3, 1828, and is the son of Elias and Margaret (Mattingly) Rhodes, natives of Virginia and Maryland, respectively.  His father was born in Loudon County, Va., in 1781, and was brought to Kentucky when but ten years of age, the family settling in what is now Washington County, where he remained until 1801, at which time he came to the southern part of Breckinridge, being one of the pioneers of that section of the county.  He was a farmer by occupation, and died in November, 1868.

Subject's maternal grandfather, Richard Mattingly, moved from Maryland to Kentucky about the beginning of the present century [19th], settling in Washington County, where he remained a short time, afterward moving to Breckinridge, where his death occurred about 1830.

Margaret Mattingly Rhodes was born in 1782, and departed this life in Breckinridge County, in 1869.  Twelve children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Rhodes: Ellen, Richard, Nancy, Mary, John, Elizabeth, Thomas, Winifred, Francis, Teresa, Elias and Agnes. 

The subject of this sketch remained with his parents until their death, growing to manhood in Breckinridge County, where he has since resided.  He was reared to agricultural pursuits, and at the age of twenty-five purchased a farm in the southern part of the county, and later, in 1868, bought his present home place in Bewleyville District, to which he moved in 1870.  Mr. Rhodes' farm is a model in every respect, consisting of 400 acres of fine "barren" land, well improved and under successful cultivation.  As a farmer and stock raiser Mr. Rhodes has been more than ordinarily successful, while as a moral and upright citizen he stands high in the community in which he resides.

He was married, November 11, 1867, in Breckinridge County, to Miss Columbia Mattingly, daughter of James L. and Matilda (Coomes) Mattingly, the parents natives of Maryland and Virginia.  Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Rhodes, viz.: Margaret C. and Mary A. 

Mr. Rhodes is a warm friend of education, and takes an active part in all movements for the moral and religious welfare of the community.  He is a conservative politician, voting for the man rather than the party, and with his family belongs to the Catholic Church, being a member of the congregation of the Guardian Angels, known as Mt. Merino Church.