Howard-Randolph County IN Archives Biographies.....Rhoades, Miles J. 1841 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/in/infiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com April 14, 2006, 11:28 pm Author: Jackson Morrow MILES J. RHOADES. As long as history endures will the American nation acknowledge its indebtedness to the heroes who between 1861 and 1865 fought for the preservation of the Union and the honor of that starry banner which has never been trailed in the dust of defeat in a single polemic struggle in which the country has been involved. Among those whose military records as valiant soldiers of the war of Rebellion reflect lasting honor upon them and their descendants is the subject of this sketch, who is one of the honored and influential citizens of Jackson township, Howard county, Indiana, where he has long maintained his home and won an honored name by virtue of his consistency to truth, honesty and right living. Therefore he is eminently qualified for a place in the present volume. Miles J. Rhoades was born in Randolph county, Indiana, September 28, 1841, the son of Miles and Margaret (Roe) Rhoades, both having come to Randolph county from North Carolina and entered land in the former place. The father walked from Randolph county to Fort Wayne, Indiana, to enter his land. They made the long trip from North Carolina to Indiana in a one-horse cart, the time required to make the trip being seven weeks. They came across the Blue Ridge mountains, carrying all their possessions in the cart, using this scant furniture when they began housekeeping in Indiana. Mrs. Rhoades stopped with the cart a while in Wayne county and Mr. Rhoades went ahead and entered the land. They later came to Howard county in i860, where they spent the rest of their days, Mr. Rhoades dying in 1865 and his widow surviving until 1885. They were people of the most sterling qualities, of the true and typical pioneer type, who braved the dangers and vicissitudes of a new country under the most unfavorable advantages, but they surmounted all obstacles and established a comfortable home. Miles J. Rhoades, our subject, was united in marriage in February, 1867, to Isabelle Orr, who was born in Ohio, but came to Peru, Indiana, when a young lady and made her home with an uncle, Oliver Macey. Later the family moved to Converse, Indiana, where Mrs. Rhoades was married and where her mother took up her residence and passed to her rest February 10, 1908. Her father, Reuben Orr, died in Ohio when Mrs. Rhoades was a child. To this union seven children were born, all of whom are living at the time of this writing. They are William, Charles, Clinton D., Jennie, Nannie B., Frank and Pearl. They all received a common school education and are very comfortably situated in life. Mr. Rhoades is the owner of a fine farm consisting of one hundred and twenty acres in section 1. He bought out all the heirs to this estate. This farm shows that a man of thrift, energy and sound judgment manages it, and it yields a comfortable living from year to year. The dwelling is substantial, comfortable and nicely furnished, and the outbuildings on the place are also first-class. Mr. Rhoades feeds the major part of his com to stock on the place, always keeping a good class of live stock, being especially fond of good horses. Feeling that it was his duty to sever home ties and do what he could in defense of his country's integrity. Mr. Rhoades enlisted in Company C. of the One Hundred and Fifty-first Indiana Volunteer Infantry, in 1865 and was with General Thomas at Nashville, where he received a sun-stroke which has disabled him ever since and has resulted in partial deafness. He took part in the great battle fought at Nashville between Hood's and Thomas' forces. As a result of his defective hearing he receives twenty-seven dollars pension per month. But notwithstanding this affliction our patriotic subject does not regret his service to his country. Mr. Rhoades takes much interest in the affairs of his children. Frank, the youngest of the boys, is married to Bertha Leisure and they are the parents of one winsome child, Lola, born August 27, 1904. Frank is a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge at Converse, Indiana, as are also his brothers, and he makes his home in Elwood. Charles P., another of the sons, lives with the subject on the farm, managing the place and assisting in the affairs of the farm in general. He is a Mason, a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, belonging to these orders at Converse. Miles J. Rhoades is in his fraternal relations a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the lodge at Converse. In politics he is a Democrat, but has never aspired to positions of public trust at the hands of his fellow citizens; however, his support is always for the best man in the county offices, and for many years he has taken much interest in all movements looking to the betterment of his township and county. He has always led a quiet, honest and well regulated life, which has gained for him the respect of a host of admiring friends who regard him as one of the leading citizens of Howard county. Additional Comments: From: HISTORY OF HOWARD COUNTY INDIANA BY JACKSON MORROW, B. A. ILLUSTRATED VOL. II B. F. BOWEN & COMPANY INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA (circa 1909) File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/in/howard/bios/rhoades179bs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/infiles/ File size: 5.7 Kb