REV. WILLIAM RHODES, merchant, P. O. Anna, was born January 15, 1836, in Moultrie County, Ill. His father, John Rhodes, was a native of North Carolina, and was born in Randolph County. In 1816, when but seven years of age, he removed with his father's family to Lawrence County, Ind. There he grew to manhood, and in 1831 removed to Moultrie County, Ill. He married Rachel Senteney, born in Maysville, Ky., in 1813, and died of paralysis in 1881. He settled in his new home in Illinois, with no means for success, save a large endowment of industry, perseverance and hope, and with a companion whose power to perform well her part and sweeten the toils of pioneer life was his constant admiration. He is still living, and where he now sees well-improved farms he found an almost uninhabited wilderness. Eight children were born to him, seven sons and one daughter. Our subject was brought up on the farm and after receiving a full course in the common schools, he spent one year in the Sullivan Academy, one year at Bethany College, West Virginia, and one year at Eureka College, in Woodford County, Ill. He was converted at the age of seventeen years, under the preaching of Elder Etheridge, at his father's house, and united with the sect known as "Disciples" or the "Church of Christ." After completing his education, he began teaching, which he continued, together with farming, until 1862, when he was ordained to the Christian ministry and has remained with that church and labored for its good ever since. In 1877, he came to Anna and engaged in the hardware business, and at the same time occupied the pulpit in the Christian Church. In 1882, he retired from business, leaving his sons to manage it, but he still retains his interest. He was married in Moultrie County, Ill., February 19, 1840, to Miss Sarah C. Souther, a daughter of Abraham and Catharine (Hardin) Souther, natives of Oldham County, Ky. She died in 1864, leaving one child, Thomas B. He was married a second time, November, 1866, to Miss Amanda J. Hatfield, a native of Greene County, Ind., by whom he has four children, viz.: Rosa A., Rudolph A., William and John. The latter died when three years old. Mr. Rhodes has held six different discussions, one with an infidel on the Divinity of the Bible, the others upon religious matters with ministers of different denominations.
Extracted 02 Apr 2017 by Norma Hass from 1883 History of Alexander, Union, and Pulaski Counties, Illinois, Part V, pages 82-83.
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