Enlisted in 1862 in Co. H, 71st Illinois Volunteer Infantry (3 months).

Mathias P. Rhoades, the successful fruit grower and apiarist of Browntown, Green county, comes of a family whose names for three generations ave been engraved high on their country’s roll of honor, and who have consistently been on the side of progress and patriotism.

Nicholas Rhoades, his grandfather, was a native of England, but having cast his fortunes with the American colonies, he assissted in the struggle for liberty, and became one of the trusted soldiers of the Revolutionary war, serving under Gen. Washington and enduring the hardships of that terrible winter at Valley Forge. He was the father of five children, three daughters and two sons, the sons being John W. and Walter.

Walter Rhoades was born in 1793, in Maryland, and early moved to the West, for a time living in Ohio, and in 1826 moved to Champaign county, Ill. When the struggling Republic was called upon in 1812 to engage in a second war with the mother country, Mr. Rhoades enlisted in the army, and served as long as he was needed, and then returned to agricultural pursuits. After his removal to the West, there came Indian troubles that for Illinois, Wisconsin and vicinity culminated in the Black Hawk war, and Mr. Rhoades again gave his counry his services. In 1824, just two years prior to his location in Illinois, he married Miss Mary Rhinehart, and by her became the father ten children, as follows: Frances married James W. Boyd, of Illinois, and both are now deceased; Isaac R., married a Miss Heater, of Iowa; Elizabeth married William H. Adams, of Illinois, who now lives retired in Iowa; Eliza J. married Benjamin Aydlotte, of Iowa; Mathias P. is the next in order of birth; Nancy Ann married Jacob Winkleman, of Iowa; John W. was a soldier in the 39th Iowa V.I. and died in the Civil War; Mary E. is the wife of J. W. Adams, of Iowa; Phebe married Herman Dresser, of Duluth, Minn.; and Alfred N., of Greene county, Iowa. With the exception of Frances, all the children were born in Champaign county, Illinois.

Mathias P. Rhoades was born Sept. 22, 1838, and was early trained in all the details of farm work. His schooling was necessarily neglected to a large extent, as the schools were few and far between, and the time for attendancene in such as did exist was limited, the work of clearing up a farm engrossing the entire time. In 1855 he removed with his parents to Iowa, and remained there until 1870, when they removed to Sacramento county, Cal. In 1873 he came to Green county, Wis., locating in Cadiz township. During the Civil war Mr. Rhoades enlisted in 1862 in his country’s service, becoming a member of Co. H 71st Ill. V. I., and was mustered out at the expiration of his term of enlistment. When he returned from the war he took up his former work, that of farming, and then engaged to some extent in milling. He now devotes himself largely to fruit growing and to his apiary; in the latter he runs from sixty to eigty hives a season, which net him about $300 year. He has been very successful in his undertakings, and at this time owns a fine two-story dwelling and seven acres of ground, as well as having considerable personal property.

On March 4, 1863, Mr. Rhoades was wedded to Miss Julia Trickle, who was born Nov. 24, 1845, one of the eleven children of Ashford and Jane (Morton) Trickle, pioneer settlers of Green county. Ten children have been born of this marriage, all of whom are yet living: Phebe, born April 5, 1865, married Louis Brown, of Greene county, Iowa; Orpha, aborn April 10, 1869, married Peter Frysley, of Green county, Wis.; Oren A., born March 20, 1871, at home, married Merta Sisson; Byron, born Jan. 29, 1873, married gusta Budkey, of Merrillan, Wis.; Alice, born March 5, 1875 is the wife of james Faubel, of Green county; Oliver P., born aug. 24, 1877, at home; Elmer, born Jan. 9, 1880, Effie, born Nov. 17, 1882, Mertie, born Feb. 17, 1884, and Walter, born June 3, 1887 are all at home.

Politically Mr. Rhoades is a Populist, and in religious belief has greater faith in charity, honesty and upright living than in any denomination or creed. He has striven to do his duty to his country and his fellowmen, and merits the high place he holds in the estimation of men.404