My Genealogy Hound

JOHN RHODES, a retired farmer living in the village of Moreland, was born in Sussex County, N. J., July 15, 1824, and is third among four children comprising the family of John and Mary (Shackelton) Rhodes. His father, who was born in Orange, Essex County, N. J., spent his early life in the locality where he was born. Prospered in business affairs, he engaged extensively in farming and milling, and owned and operated a grist and sawmill and a distillery. About 1836 he came to Schuyler County, settling near Montour Falls, where he again engaged in farming and milling. His death occurred in Millport, Chemung County, in 1860.

At the age of twelve years our subject left home and engaged on the canal with his uncle, George Rhodes, who built and ran a boat on the Chemung & Erie Canal. He spent his summers on the canal, going from local points to Albany and New York, and in winter worked at boat-building and in sawmills. At the age of eighteen he concluded to learn the trade of a mill-wright, and engaged with John Quigley for three years, receiving $40, $50 and $60 per year, respectively. For seven years he continued in the employ of Mr. Quigley.

After his marriage Mr. Rhodes settled in Havana, where he worked at his trade and helped build Cook’s Mill at that place. He then removed to Millport and took a position as foreman of woodwork for the Chemung Canal Company, remaining there for two years. For three years he then worked at the millwright’s trade. Going to Townsend, he purchased land and built a sawmill, which he operated about ten years, running the mill in the winter and working at his trade in the summer. In 1863 he bought ninety-six acres where he now resides, and on which is located the White Mill, one of the oldest mills in this vicinity and a landmark. In 1881 he built a sawmill, which has since been operated in connection with the gristmill. That year, however, he sold the mill to his son, Charles B., who now owns and operates it. He does an extensive business in flour and in lumber, shipping the products of the mills in car lots to various places in the northern part of the state. In 1874 he erected the comfortable residence he now occupies.

Since the age of twenty-five Mr. Rhodes has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He has in his possession the apron and regalia of his father, who was a Master Mason. In politics, while his father was a Democrat, he has always advocated Republican principles. Though he has no desire to hold official position, he has served his town as Road Commissioner and Pathmaster. When the Fall Brook Railroad was built across his land, a station was located here known as Moreland, and in 1889 a post office was established here, since which time he has served as Postmaster. He has also been station agent for several years, and is owner of the buildings in the vicinity.

July 27, 1848, Mr. Rhodes married Miss Lucretia Collins, daughter of Benjamin and Eliza Ann (Carpenter) Collins. She was born in Schuyler County, and died here in 1858. By this union there were four children: Charles B., who operates the mill; John G., a farmer in the town of Dix; Mary E., at home; and Delia, who died in early womanhood. In 1859 Mr. Rhodes married Mahala Collins, sister of his first wife. One child blesses the union, Elmer F., who assists his brother Charles B. in the sawmill.