In Memory of John W. Rhoads

Died – At the homestead, in the town of Dayton, June 19^th, 1891, John W. Rhoads, aged 69 years.

Born in Brownsville, Pa., came to Ottawa with his widowed mother and settled in Dayton township. Shortly afterwards he left his home for St. Louis, to work at his trade of a carpenter; the mother remaining with her small children founded the old homestead from which all the family have gone out one by one. In 1846 he enlisted for the Mexican war, in the Company of Captain Hudson, attached to the famous regiment of Col. Doniphan, sharing all its trying marches and participating in the battle of Sacramento, where 1500 fell on the Mexican side and less than a dozen on the American.

After this war he was at home for a short time and then went with the early gold seekers to California. Three times he crossed the plains, returning home once the same way and twice by water. Later on he went to Montana, stopping at Helena City. Here again he was successful as a miner, and was sent twice to the territorial legislature. Then he came home and a year afterwards went to the Black Hills, and remaining there but a short time, finished up his wanderings.

At the old home his life flowed along quietly, amid friends. He was intelligent and of a pleasant, social, turn. Had a wide knowledge of people and places and knew the world, its fluctuating scenes and cares, and was content. He came to the old home after the death of his dearly beloved mother in 1874, and in quiet gathered strength for the world to come, his life flowing on in the peaceful intercourse with friends, a well woven chain from manhood to middle life and then to old age, with silver locks – a crown of glory – the river of life flowing at his feet. A friend to the unfortunate, a brother in adversity, faithful and kind to all – his works do follow him and it is well.

Over the river a boatman pale
Dips his hand in the silvery stream.
Deeper and deeper than earth his voice:
“Come rest thee and bathe thee, O tempest tossed.”¹

John W. Rhoads was born November 13, 1821 in Brownsville, Pennsylvania, the son of Thomas R. and Sarah (Collins) Rhoads. His father died in Pennsylvania, and Sarah afterward brought the family to La Salle county, securing a farm near Dayton. There were six children in the family – John, the eldest; Elizabeth, who married Robert Strawn; Samuel; Hannah, who was Jesse Green’s second wife; Mary Jane; and Thomas.

John never married. At his death in 1891 the inventory of his estate listed the assets as 120 acres of real estate, 105 lambs, 138 sheep, 43 swarms of bees, farm implements, growing crops, notes, credits, accounts, cash on hand, etc., of the value of about $4100. He may have led an adventurous early life, but he ended his days as a prosperous Illinois farmer.

1. Ottawa Free Trader, September 19, 1891, p. 8, col. 3.