William P. Rhodes

    William P. Rhodes, senior partner of the law firm of Rhodes & Rabourn, was born July 17, 1883, in Tippecanoe County, Indiana. He is the second born of five children, of whom James I. and Nancy (Forshee) Rhodes were the parents. His father was a native of the Old Dominion, and of Swiss descent; came to Ohio at an early day, where he married. Mrs. Nancy Rhodes is a native of Ohio and of French descent. In 1828, they moved to Tippecanoe County, Indiana, where Mr. Rhodes died in 1860. His widow yet survives him and resides in La Fayette.

    William P. Rhodes was reared to manhood in his native county, and in 1854, entered college at Fort Wayne, where he remained two years. In 1858, he came to Williamsport, to embark in the practice of law, having previously studied his profession about two years in the office of Huff, Baird & La Rue, of La Fayette. In 1860, he was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court.

    In 1864, he recruited Company K, One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Indiana Volunteers; was elected Captain, and went into active service in Tennessee and Alabama. On being mustered out of service in October, 1864, he returned to Williamsport, and re-embarked in the practice of law. In 1866, he purchased an interest in the Warren Republican, and acted as its editor about one year, since when his occupation has been chiefly in the practice of his chosen profession. In 1870, he was elected to the Lower House in the State Legislature from Warren County, and in 1872 was elected state Senator from Fountain and Warren Counties. He formed his present partnership with W.L. Rabourn in 1882, and the firm of Rhodes & Rabourn is one of the best in Warren County.

    Mr. Rhodes is a Republican, a member of the Odd fellows and the Knights of Honor, and his wife is a member of the M. E. church. He was married in September, 1859, to Miss Mildred B. Dickson, who was born and reared in Williamsport, and to their union have been born three sons -James L., Wesley D. and Joseph W.

Source: Counties of Warren, Benton, Jasper and Newton, Indiana. Historical and Biographical. F.A. Battey & Co., 1883.