Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1909-09-15
In LOWING Remembrance of Mrs,
Laura A. Rhodes.

in the morning, Mrs. Laura A.
Rhodes passed from this life.
Not with surprise, but with great
sorrow, her friends accept the in
evitable. 1t is a great grief that
we must ever give up our loved ones.
Mrs. Rhodes life in the community
was most useful and beautiful. Her
manner always, with rich or poor,
was gracious, sweet and dIgnified.
The Rhodes home was ever haven of
rest and sympathy.
Laura A. Lyon Rhodes was born in
Cincinnati in 1881, and there in an
atmosphere of culture acquired her
education and character. Environ
ment may do much toward formation
of character but Mrs. Rhodes had
fine inheritance of gentle nature and
strong mind.
Her marriage June 1. 1868, to
James F. Rhodes was the beginning
of the western life. Soon they came
TO Wisconsin and made farm home
OF the Rhodes district, and near the
Rhodes schoolhouse. In the long
days on the farm Mrs. Rhodes found
time to study as we'll as to teach her
children. Loving appreciation of
children and nature hepled her to en-
joy the country life, and to develop
breadth of vision and serenity of
mind. Her home was also the home
for the school teacher, and each one
became the admitting and devoted
friend of the family.
As the children, Howard, Clara
and Linda grew older, all began to
feel the need of the high school, and
the father sold the farm and bought a
home in town. Later, Towards
home grew up beside it.
During Mrs. Rhodes early life in
Lancaster she hepled establish and
carry on the work of the Episcopal
church. In later years she became
leader in all movements toward
securing temperance and equal
suffrage. She hepled bring to US
great public speakers, including
Frances Willard. Emma Smith Devoe,
Olympia Brown and Florence D.
Richards. She has helped organize
Temperance Unions and Equal
Suffrage clubs, not only in Lancas-
ter, but as Superintendent of
Franchise, in Grant County. Her last
real work ia these causes was in
writing letters last winter to send
out with the petitions for signers
for Woman suffrage
During the last few years, Mrs.
Rhodes has been disabled by rheu-
matism from going much outside her
home. but the people came to her-the
clubs held meetings with her She
was a great reader, and never lost
interest in the live issues.
DUNG her long illness of five
months, she has been watched over by
a faithful nurse and devoted physician,
and lovingly attended by her daugh-
tiers. Linda and Mrs. Clara Rhodes
Buchner and her son Howard and his
wife Clara. To them her patience
and serenity was marvellous; her peace
of mind and real happiness will
always be a sweet memory and COM
fort to her loved ones. While her
failing strength would not permit her
to converse with others, she was ap-
preciative of the kindness of her
neighbors and friends and grateful to
them for flowers and other tokens of
remembrance.
Mrs. Rhodes grew up in the
Episcopal church, but in later years
her views broadened until she was
profoundly a christian regardless of
creeds or forms.
Goodbye. Precious One, and yet
we feel that thy spirit is with us to
cheer and strengthen US in all noble
endeavor.
Mrs. Clara M. Harper.