Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-01-24

of His Life.
At $50 o'clock yesterday morning
Ebenezer P. Rhodes, one of the oldest
residents in Eastern Ohio, died at the
home of his daughter, Mrs. H. G.
Branum, in Bridgeport. Mr.. Rhodes
was born and raised in that city, and
leaves the following children living:
Mrs. H. G. Branum, Mrs. 70. H. Stew
ems, Mrs. s. l.. Dunlevy, Mrs. Kate
Mitchell and sons Charles and Oliver
Mrs. Rhodes died in 1883. In the
death of Mr.. Rhodes, the Ohio valley
looses one of it's most prominent and
estimable citizens. The funeral will
take place Friday morning at ten
O'Clock from the residence of H. G.
Branum in Kirkwood. The interment
will De private.
E5enezer Rhodes came of sturdy old
Virginia stock. His father Moses
Nhodes, was born near Moorefield,
Hardy county, now West Virginia, in
1884, and removed with his aged faith
er, grandfather of the subject of this
sketch, to the hamlet of Canton, now
bridgeport in 1900, about which time
a very considerable number of Virgin
ians crossed the mountains to seek
new homes and break the then virgin
fields OF Belmont county. Moses
Rhodes married Marcy Martin, daugh-
ter of Col. Martin, of Wetzel county,
and who was then one of the most
81 Af
the western portion of Virginia.
Col Martin took a large interest in
public affairs and was a member Of
the State Senate at the time of his
death. His daughter Nancy, aged
twelve at that time, was adopted and
cared for by Presley Martin, half
brother of the deceased father, also a
noted public man and politician, after
whom New Martinsville was named.
Mrs. Rhodes died some years ago, aged
seventy-three years Her husband
was one of the first men to open a tav-
ern in the upper Ohio valley, keeping
a public house at Bridgeport at an ear
ly date, where he also operated a boat
yard and did a large business in pro-
duce which he purchased for the New
Orleans market, carrying it down the
river to the Louisiana capital and then
walking back as many another pion-
eer of those days did, carrying the pro-
ceeds of his venture in silver on his
back.
He made this trip a number OF times
and also on several occasions sailed
from New Orleans to New York and
then walked to Wheeling over the
mountains. Later Noses .thodes erect
ed the Rhodes block in bridgeport as
well as two large warehouses and con-
Quoted a large produce business. He
retired in 1e52 with an ample fortune
and died in 1871. In politics Moses
Rhodes was an old line Wing; in re-
ligion Quaker, but later joined the
Presbyterian church, in which faith
he died.
Ebenezer Rhodes. one of the chill
dren CT the preceding, was born at
Bridgeport, June rs, 1918, and resid
ed there to the time OF his death,
seeing the place grew from a ham
let CT a few houses to a large and
thriving town. His early education
was in the common schools CT the pc
ricd and later at Franklin college,
New Athens. Early in life he beclme
associated with his father in the COM
mission business, and under his eXpe-
rienced tutelege laid the foundations
for a magnificent business education.
Upon the retirement CT HIS father
EDenezer and Christian CgleOay a
brother-in-law, succeeded to the bust
ness, but soon changed their line to
the wholesale grocery trade
Eight years later Mr.. Oglebay re-
tired from the business, and was sue
ceeded by Charles Rhodes, but in four
years he was compelled to withdraw
from the firm because of ill-hellth,
and w. S. Warfeld was his successor
in the firm. Some time later Mr..
Rhodes took entire charge and 1850
ciated his SON Charles with him. In
1875 he turned the entire business
over to his sons, c. NJ. and 0. T.
Rhodes. Several years later Mr..
Rhodes obtained control Of the Dia-
mond -four mill. one of the leading
properties in that line in the Chic
valley He was one of the origina-
tors Of the First National Bank and
for twenty years its president. He
was for a number CT years president
Of the LaBelle glass works, and one
of the projectors, builders and direc-
tors of the Aetna-Standard mill. He
was one CT the directors of the Tus-
carawas Valley railroad and for twen-
ty years or more a member of the
Bridgeport school board.
He was an extensive owner OF
realty. and took large and intelli-
gent interest in public as well as bust
ness affairs. Mr. Rhodes was married
August 8, 1S43 to Caroline Townsend.
of New Brighton, a descendant Of
one Of the most prominent Quaker
families Of Western Pennsylvania.
She died September II, 1888. the
mother Of eight children. Mr..
Rhodes was an active and leading
member Of the NJ. E. church Of Bridge
port. ana no better citizen CT the town
existed
Kindly consider w. ]. Ennis of First