From: Landmarks of Tompkins County, New York
Including a History of Corness University
Edited by:John H. Selkreg
Published: d: Mason & Co., Publishers
Syracuse, N. Y. 1894
The Rhodes Family. - In 1798 George Rhodes (this surname was originally Roths, indicating Dutch descent) and Frederick Storm came from Northampton county, Pa., were pioneers of Lansing, the former settling on the farm now owned by two of his grandchildren, Mrs. Dr. Gibson, and Mrs. J. H. Conklin. Here this pioneer and his wife reared their children and passed their days, and at their death (George in 1823 and his wife in 1824) were buried in the old Dutch burying ground near Lansingville in the town of Lansing. The children in this family were: Elizabeth (Mrs. Snyder); Margaret (Mrs. Henry Newman); Jacob, who died in Dryden; George, who died in Hector; John an Frederick, who died in the town of Ithaca; Andrew who died on the old homestead; and Henry who was born, lived and died (in August, 1873) on the old home farm. Henry Rhodes was born in 1799, and was a successful farmer and at his death left a goodly inheritance to his children. He married Marilda Ludlow, by whom he had twelve children: George A., who died in 1886; Stephen O., Mary C. (Mrs. Eben Lobdell), John, who died in 1841, Jacob F., Dana, Ellen A. (Mrs. Dr. Gibson of Wilkesbarre, Pa.); Mariette, who died in 1862, Francis L. (Mrs. James Bowker); J. Henry. Ann R. (Mrs. J. H. Conklin), now resident upon the old homestead, and Alice who died in infancy. J. H. Rhodes is a prominent lawyer of Little Falls, Minn. He has been for a number of years attorney for the Northern Pacific Railroad. In addition to a lucrative practice he is largely interested in farming, being the owner of a large stock farm containing 1,500 acres, known as the Rhodesland Stock Farm. He has raised on this farm in one year, over 16,000 bushels of wheat, besides several thousand bushels of other grain. Dana Rhodes was born in Lansing January 18, 1839, being named after Judge Dana of Ithaca, a prominent member of the old Tompkins Co. bar. He was brought up on the farm, attended the district schools of that town, and afterward the Groton Academy. Later on he located in Groton village, and conducted a drug store, and while so engaged was for twelve years justice of the peace. He was then induced by J. b: Kline, a lawyer of the village, now of Syracuse, to enter the legal profession; consequently after being registered in accordance with the rules of the court, he was duly admitted to the practice of law. However, he continued his drug business until about eight years ago, when he was succeeded by his son. Chas. a Rhodes. Mr. Rhodes is attorney for the Groton Carriage Co., of which he is also vice president, and this position in connection with his farm and other interests, engages his attention. Mr. Rhodes is an active and earnest Republican. He was elected supervisor in 1892, and reelected the next year. On May 30, 1858, he married Sarah, daughter of Israel Jacobs of Lansing, and they have three children: Chas. O., of Groton, N. Y., Mrs. F. A. Mangang of Cortland, N. Y., and W. G. Rhodes, of Saginaw, Mich.