OBIT: Joshua RHODES, 1909, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Sharon Miller Copyright 2009. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/allegheny/ _________________________________________ NOTED FINANCIER OF PITTSBURGH Joshua Rhodes, Pioneer Railroad Man and Banker, Dead After Long Illness Joshua Rhodes, one of Pittsburgh's most prominent manufacturers and financiers, died yesterday afternoon at his home in Western Avenue, Northside, following an illness of 18 months' duration from a natural decline in health. Mr. Rhodes was a brother of the late James Rhodes of this city, who died in the early 1870's, and he was identified with the early development of the industries of this city, particularly coal and railroads. When the road which is now the W. N. Y.& P. was first operated, Mr. Rhodes, with his brother, James, and the late George Pearson shipped coal from Coaltown to the local mills over a narrow gauge track of the road, using a third rail system in conjunction with the standard tracks. The company of which he was one of the heads, was known as the New Castle Railroad and Mining company, and is well remembered by many of the older businessmen of the city. The late Mrs. Elizabeth Williams, formerly of Lincoln Avenue, who died several years ago, was a sister of Mr. Rhodes. Four sons of James Rhodes, who formerly lived here, are now businessmen of Pittsburgh. They are James, George, Charles and Robert Rhodes. Joshua Rhodes was born near London, England, March 19, 1824. His father and mother came to this country when he was four years old (about 1828) and settled for a short time at Albany, New York, then moved to Buffalo, where they lived for a few years. Finally they crossed the Alleghenies; to Pittsburgh, and settled in the old town of Allegheny. At this time, Joshua Rhodes was six years old. For nearly 80 years he remained in that city and grew up with the community. Mr. Rhodes was the first president of the Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Railroad, which he was instrumental in building. He was head of the Pennsylvania Tube Company until it was absorbed, several years ago by the National Tube Company, and was interested in many other manufacturing enterprises in the Pittsburgh district. He was one of the organizers of the Citizens Traction Company, which operated cars out Penn Avenue, being the first street cars to be operated in the city. Following the death of C. L. Magee, he was chosen president of the Consolidated Traction Company. He was also interested in the now- closed Allegheny National Bank and had been vice president of that institution. He was interested in a number of banking houses, manufacturing plants and railroad companies at the time of his death, and was ranked as one of Pittsburgh foremost financiers. Besides his widow, who was Miss Eliza (Haslet), the following children survive: William B. Rhodes and Misses Mary and Anna Rhodes. New Castle News, Pa., January 6, 1909