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The Back Rhodes of Our Genealogy

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From book entitled: The Successful American, Volume 1, Part 1 - Volume 2, Part 1 Publisher: Press Biographical Company, 1899

Also see: Joshua Rhodes, born in 1823, in London England, of Pittsburgh, PA, in 1889

From a Poor Boy to One of Pittsburgh's Most Respected Citizens.—Is President of the Pennsylvania Tube Works.

AMONG the prominent Pittsburghers who have been closely identified with the remarkable history of the growth of that wonderful section, which has contributed so largely to our industrial progress, none occupies a higher place in the esteem of his fellow-citizens than Joshua Rhodes. His start in life was that of a poor boy, and the successes achieved by him, in the face of the apparently insuperable obstacles, which seemed to beset his path at the outset, are exceptionally noteworthy.

Joshua Rhodes was born in London, England. March 19, 1824, and is one of a family of six children. He is a son of Charles Rhodes, and Lucy Bazin. His father was a contractor. The family came to the United States in 1830. and resided for two years in the cities of Albany and Buffalo, N. Y. In 1832 the elder Rhodes moved to Pittsburgh, with his family, and resided there until the time of his death.

Mr. Rhodes was brought up in Pittsburgh and, after the death of his father, which occurred when he was quite young, he made his home with Benjamin Brown, assisting Mr. Brown in his grocery store. When twenty years old he embarked in the grocery trade on his own responsibility, at the corner of First and Smithfield Streets, but, in the disastrous fire of April 10, 1845, everything he had was swept away. With the enterprise which has since characterized the man, he was one of the first to rebuild in the burned district, and, from that day to the present, has been continuously engaged in the various lines of mercantile pursuits. At the present time he is engaged in the manufacture of wrought iron pipes, being the President of the Pennsylvania Tube Works. He has been and is yet. connected with numerous other corporations. He served for a time as President of the Allegheny National Bank, and is the present Vice-President of that well-known financial institution. At the time of their erection, he was President of the Point and Union bridges, and has also been actively interested in street railways for a number of years.

Mr. Rhodes married Miss Eliza Haslett. Five children were born to them, four of whore are still living: William B., Mary, Annie and Joshua W.

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