from The Republican (Danville, Hendricks County, Indiana)--issue of Thursday, March 21, 1901--page 8, column 2:
Died at his home in Clayton March 13, Joseph L. Rhodes, aged sixty-five years, three months and thirteen days. During the latter part of his sickness he prepared a partial obituary but his strength failed him and he had to lay it aside. He was born in Baltimore county, Maryland, November 30, 1835, moved with his parents to Warren county, Indiana, September 1, 1836, and later moved to Belleville, this county. He was married to Eliza M. Mull, of Belleville, September 1, 1858. To them were born three sons, Leroy, Carl and Leslie, all of whom are still living. When the country was assailed by traitor's hands he enlisted in Co. I, Ninth Cavalry (121st regiment) December 1, 1863, and was discharged from service at Indianapolis August 10, 1865, at the close of the war, broken in health and he never fully recovered. Early in life he embraced Christianity, uniting with the M.E. church at Plainfield, ever after living an earnest, exemplary Christian life. While living at Belleville he became a Mason and through the teachings of this order he gained his first impressions of true and noble manhood and the exalted position of the “True God” in whose service he had already enlisted. Half his life, which was as an open book, has been spent in our midst and nothing can be said that will add to our knowledge of this good man. “Joe,” as he was familiarly called, was human, yet none knew him but to respect and honor him. Let us as neighbors and friends forget his faults, emulate his virtues, and to his wife and sons who are so sorely bereaved, we ask no better blessing than that his sweet and tender spirit, wise counsels and fidelity to every trust may be perpetuated in their lives.
“Until the shadows we from this earth are cast,
Until He gathers in his sheaves at last.
Until the twilight gloom be overpast,
Dear father, may thy rest be sweet.”
The funeral services were conducted by Presiding Eld. Town and at the cemetery the Masonic order took charge.