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- James Peters Rhodes was born in Gloversville NY on April 3, 1842 and died in Phoenix AZ on December 7, 1931, at the age of 89. After serving in the Civil War, he learned photography from his brother-in-law Harvey Phipps in Fenton, Michigan. James had his own photographic gallery in Corunna, Michigan, and then in Phoenix, Arizona. In the Phoenix City Directory of 1892, he is listed as " J.P. Rhodes, photographer, Sherman Block, Washington res Yuma, north of city limits". In the 1903 and 1904 issues of the Phoenix Directory, he is listed, " J.P. Rhodes, photograph gallery, 213 W. Washington, res. 466 N. Fourth Ave". Renumbered to 334 N. 4th Ave. the following year, this house remained standing until 2002. He later moved to 922 E. Monroe, where he lived until his death in 1931.
James Peters Rhodes married first Amanda Harris, about 1864. They had two children, Frank b. 1865 and Amanda, "Manda" b. 1867. Amanda Harris Rhodes died prob. 1868. He married second Mary A. McBride (1846-1891).
J.P. Rhodes was described as a "jolly old man" by his granddaughter, Elaine, who remembered his walking from his home on Monroe all the way to Isaac School at 35th Ave and McDowell whenever she and her sister, Eva, were involved in programs and events there. Nell, his daughter, referred to him as "dear, sweet Papa" who she remembered as being proud of three things in life: having served with the Union forces in the Civil War; his lifelong affiliation with the Baptist Church; and his family, of which he was the most proud.
Record of James Peters Rhodes Civil War, 1861-1865
"Knowing that James Peters Rhodes, a private of Captain G.G. Barrows Co. F. 9th. Reg. of Michigan infantry volunteers who was enrolled on the 15th day of Aug. 1862 to serve 3 years or during the war, is discharged from the service of the United States through this 20th day of June 1865 at Nashville, Tennessee by reason of telegraphic instructions to Major General Thomas from War Department. Dated May 29, 1865. One James Peters Rhodes, native of New York, is twenty years of age, five feet six and one-half in. in height, fair complexion, blue eyes, brown hair. Given at Nashville, Tennessee this 20th day of June, 1865"
The following is his obituary, printed in the Arizona Republic, December 8, 1931. "JAMES RHODES DIES AT HOME James P. Rhodes, Arizona pioneer, died at his home 922 East Monroe Street yesterday morning. Had he lived until April 3, Mr. Rhodes would have been 90 years old. Funeral arrangements had not been completed last night, but will be announced today. Arrangements are in charge of A.L. Moore and Sons.
Mr. Rhodes was a native of New York , but moved to Michigan when a child. From that state he enlisted with the Union forces for the Civil war, serving throughout that conflict in the Ninth Infantry. He served as department commander of the Arizona Grand Army of the Republic in 1920.
At the close of the Civil war he married Mary McBride. Of this union seven children were born, three of whom survive today, with eight grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Mr. Rhodes brought his family to Phoenix from Grand Rapids in 1889. His wife died in 1891. He was a prominent photographer in Phoenix for many years, but retired from active business in 1906. He was an active member of the First Baptist Church.
The surviving children are Will Rhodes, Los Angeles; Albert Rhodes and Mrs. Clarence McCoy of Phoenix."
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1842 - 1931 (89 years)
