Rhoads - William M.
Source: Portrait & Biographical Record of Montgomery, Parke & Fountain counties, Indiana. Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1893, pp 701-702
WILLIAM M. RHOADS, a member of the firm of Rhoads & Stemp, grocers and confectioners at Ladoga, is one of the successful business men of Montgomery County, where the most of his life has been passed. He is a native of Logan County, Ohio, born May 22, 1846, to Henry and Elizabeth (Sidell) Rhoads, who were both natives of Maryland, his mother being a daughter of John Sidell, who was a farmer of that State. After marriage Henry Rhoads and his wife removed to Zanesfield, Logan County, Ohio, where he engaged in milling until he brought his family to Indiana. He continued for a while in that line at Yountsville, and afterward bought a farm eight miles west of Crawfordsville, which he managed until death deprived his township of his services as a practical farmer in 1852. His wife survived him until 1868, and then she too passed away. He was quite successful in a business way in his life, and was highly thought of as a man and a citizen. The Baptist Church lost a valued member in his death. He was the father of nine children, all of whom grew to maturity, and the following of whom are still living: John, a resident of Logan County, Ill.; Joseph, who resides north of Bement, in Piatt County, Ill.; Jacob, a stock-dealer in Texas; Rosanna, widow of Jones Dougherty; Anne Elizabeth, wife of A. J. Moore; Surry, wife of David Jones, of Crawfordsville: Alma. wife of Frank Wilhite, a carpenter of Crawfordsville; and our subject. William Rhoads was but three years old when his parents came to this county, and here he was reared and educated. After his mother's death he worked on a farm and went to school. Ambitious to obtain a higher education than was afforded by the district schools, he came to Ladoga to enter the seminary in this city, and while a student in this institution derived much benefit from the excellent course of study that he pursued, which has been of much profit to him in his subsequent career as a business man. After leaving the seminary he resumed his former employment on a farm, and was so engaged the following three or four years. At the end of that time he took up the grocery and confectionery business, which he has conducted ever since, and he and his partner have built up a thriving trade in their neat and well-kept establishment, which is completely stocked with the best of everything in their line demanded by the good class of custom to which they cater. Our subject was married May 24, 1882, to Miss Kate Parker, a daughter of John M. Parker, who was formerly an undertaker in the city. Mr. and Mrs. Rhoads have an attractive, cozy home, and two children complete their pleasant family circle, Iva and Walter. Mr. Rhoads is prominent socially as an Odd Fellow, who has been through all the choirs in both the camp and the subordinate lodges. In his political relations he is a Democrat, and uses his influence to forward party interests in this part of the county. His fellow-citizens are appreciative of his business qualities and of his fitness for office generally, and he has been called by them to positions of public importance. He has been one of the Trustees of the schools of Ladoga, and has been Assessor of his township. kbz