My Genealogy Hound

Richards R. Rhodes, of Calvert Township, Grant County, was born near where he now lives, August 6, 1853. He is the son of Richard C. and Susan Russell (Davis) Rhodes, natives of Robeson County, N. C. The father was born in 1801, and died in Grant County, Ark., March 14, 1867. His wife was born April 24, 1831. He was highly educated (being a graduate of an Eastern medical college) and practiced medicine in North Carolina, but after coming to Arkansas turned his attention to farming, meeting with good success. In his native county he served as clerk and master of court of equity for four years, being a member of the Democratic party. His father was Jacob Rhodes, a surveyor of note in North Carolina, and also a soldier in the War of 1812. Mrs. Susan Rhodes is the daughter of Absalom Davis, of North Carolina origin. Absalom Davis was a farmer, and for eight years served as clerk of Robeson County, N. C. He was born in 1800, and died in Alabama in 1866. Mrs. Rhodes was born in Robeson County, N. C., April 24, 1831, and was married to Dr. Rhodes December 6, 1848. Away back, the Rhodes and Davis families were prominent people, the Rhodes being generally professional men. Both families were noted for longevity. To the marriage of Richard and Susan Rhodes were born nine children, five of whom are living: James C. (a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Alexander), R. R. (our subject), S. H. (a farmer of Clark County, Ark.), Susan R. (wife of R. E. Carver, of Texas) and Jesse B. (a farmer of Grant County.) Those deceased are Jacob, Mrs. Mary E. Harter, Annie and Francis. Richard R. Rhodes received his education at home, his mother being his teacher, and from his fourteenth year (at the death of his father) to his twenty-fourth year he managed and assisted to cultivate the home place. At the latter age he began to farm for himself. November 28, 1877, he was married to Martha J. Brandon, daughter of Dr. W. F. Brandon, of Calhoun County, Ark. By this marriage there were six children, three living: Mary I., Richard C. and an infant son; those deceased are James F., Martha A. and an infant. Mrs. Rhodes is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, while her husband, like the most of his countrymen, is a Democrat. He has recently erected on his place a gin and a mill, which he will operate. Since his boyhood days he has worked at the carpenter’s trade, and he has been very prosperous in all undertakings, a result due largely to his energy. He has lived on his present place for the past twelve years, his mother making her home with him.