WI BIO - Trempealeau Co - RHODES, Joshua

History of Northern Wisconsin. Chicago: Western Historical, 1881, vol II, p 
1052

Joshua RHODES, farmer, Section 12, P. O. Scotia [Caledonia Township, 
Trempealeau County, Wisconsin], was born in Yorkshire, England, came to 
America with his parents in 1842, and settled in Kenosha County [then still 
part of Racine County], Wisconsin [then still the Territory of Wisconsin], 
where his father bought land from the Government. In 1850 Joshua RHODES went 
to Marquette County, where he took up a farm for himself on a land warrant 
which his father had given him. He remained there until 1853, when he 
removed to Trempealeau County and bought the farm on which he still lives. 
He built a small log hut, 10 x 12, and lived a pioneer's life, in company 
with William HANSON for one year, then one year by himself.

In 1857 Joshua RHODES married Miss Susan E. STEPHENS. Mr. RHODES believes in 
the old motto, "as you begin so will you live," as before starting to get 
married he laid the fire already to kindle, thinking he would start right by 
having his wife light it when they came home. But while they were getting 
married, some of the neighbors took out the dry kindling and filled the stove 
with ice and wet shavings. On their arrival, as Mrs. RHODES could not light 
the fire, he was obliged to do it himself, and they never found out who 
played the joke on them until twenty years afterward, when they were one 
evening taking tea with some of their neighbors, who told them of it.

Mrs. RHODES [Susan E. (STEPHENS) RHODES] taught the first school in the town 
of Caledonia in District No. 2. Mr. [Joshua] RHODES has been Chairman of the 
town board for ten years, and Treasurer for four years. He is at present 
writing [1881] President of the Trempealeau County Agricultural Society, 
having held that position four years, and is also Treasurer of the Decora 
Farmers' Alliance at Galesville, having been Master of the Grange since its 
organization.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly