James A. Rhoades Succumbs Tuesday At Home In Blair

Veteran Brickmaker Had Lived Lifetime In Blair. Was Nearly 77

James A. Rhoades, who has been in failing health for the past three years and bedfast for over two months, passed away at his home in Blair Tuesday evening, October 13, at 9:15 o’clock.

Deceased was born in Missouri, December 29, 1859 and was thus nearly 77 years of age at his death. When about ten years of age the family moved to western Iowa where he grew to manhood and there he married Miss Arilla Moats.

Early in the year of 1880 he moved to Blair where he formed a partnership with his father, D. M. Rhoades, who was in the brick business. He followed the trade of brickmaking until about fifteen years ago when he retired.

For over forty years he conducted a brick manufacturing plant and during that time he saw Blair Main street change from frame buildings, built when the town was young, to the more substantial brick buildings. Hardly a brick building on the street but what he furnished all or part of the bricks for the structure.

To Mr. and Mrs. Rhoades four children were born, who with the wife and several grandchildren grieve the departure of their loved one. They are Mrs. Flora Rowe, at home; Levi M. of Carter, Tripp county, South Dakota; Everett, of Wayne, Nebr.; and Mrs. Lucille Moyer, of Emerson, Nebr. All were at his bedside when the end came.

During the long protracted illness he was first taken to an Omaha hospital where he underwent a major operation with the hopes of saving his life, but the operation failed in its mission and the attending physician advised that he be brought home which was done, and after weeks of suffering the end came.

He was a man of sterling honesty, no obligation of his was ever overlooked and his honesty and integrity during all his business career was ever questioned.

Besides the immediate family he leaves two sisters, Mrs. Ida M. Barnhart, of Chicago, and Mrs. F. B. Oliver, of Omaha and one brother, John A. Rhoades of Blair and one brother-in-law, J. F. Burcham, of Blair.

Funeral services will be held Friday after noon at 2 o’clock from the home and interment will be made in the Blair cemetery.

#2 Printed in the Thursday, October 15, 1936 Pilot-Tribune

JAMES RHOADES OF BLAIR DIES

FORMER BLAIR BRICK YARD OPERATOR SUCCUMBED TUESDAY EVENING

James A. Rhoades, 76, former operator of a Blair brick yard, died Tuesday at 9:15 p.m. at his home in northwest Blair after a lengthy illness. He had been taken to an Omaha hospital two months ago for a major operation.

Born in Missouri December 29, 1859, Mr. Rhoades came here in 1880, the year after his parents, Mr. and Mrs. D.M. Rhoades, had come to Blair. He went into partnership with his father in the brick-making business, and continued this trade for 40 years. He retired 15 years ago.

He was married to Miss Arilla Moats, second cousin to Dr. E.M. Moats of Blair, before he came to Blair to make his home. She survives, as do two sons, Levi M. Rhoades on Carter, South Dakota, and Everett Rhoades of Wayne; two daughters, Mrs. Flora Rowe of Blair and Mrs. Lucille Moyer of Emerson; one brother, John A. Rhoades of Blair, and two sisters, Mrs. Ida Barnhart of Chicago and Mrs. F.B. Oliver of Omaha.

Funeral services will be held at the home Friday at 2 p.m. Burial will follow in the Blair cemetery.

~~~obituaries courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings in the Public Library, Blair, Nebraska ~~~

FindaGrave #118153797 Note: Father D. M. Rhoades; mother Armilda Bovee Rhoades FindaGrave #