Historians Hear Paper on Dr. Thomas J.B. Rhoads By His Nephew, Thomas K. Leidy
The recent meeting of the Historical Society of Berks County had, at its most important features, the reading of a "Memorial" in regard to the late Thomas J.B. Rhoads of Boyertown, for years a prominent member of the society, by his nephew Thomas K. Leidy, a member of the Berks County bar. Incidentally a number of facts pertaining to the history of the Rhoads family were related.
The meeting of the society was largely attended, and the president, Dr. C.R. School occupied the chair.
After the general business had been disposed of, President Scholl requested the secretary Cyrus T. Fox, to state the special topic of the meeting. This was announced by the secretary, and Mr. Leidy was introduced who then read the following paper:
In memoriam of Dr. Thomas J.B. Rhoads, it may be stated that he was born on the old Rhoads farm in the borough of Boyertown on September 26, 1837. He was the son of John and Catharine K. (Boyer) Rhoads and was the fourth generation of the descendants of Mathias Roth (or Rhoads), who was ancestor of that branch of the Roth (or Rhoads) family located in Berks or the surrounding counties.
On Account of the prominent part that many of the members of the Rhoads clan have taken in the history and development of Berks County, it seems proper to biographically sketch the history of the ancestors of Dr. Rhoads.
Matthias Roth (or Rhoads), the said ancestor, who was a native of the Rheinpfalz, Germany, born November 8, 1717, it is supposed was a son of one of the three brothers whose names were Matthias, Jacob and John Roth, who are mentioned in a manuscript history of Oley township, Berks County, Pennsylvania, preserved by the Pennsylvania Historical Society of Philadelphia and which recites as follows:
About 1725 three brothers named Rhoads or Roth also prospected this section of country for a home. As they threaded their way through Oley, one day, they halted at the beautiful spring where now stands the farm house of Jacob K. Kauffman, near the Yellow House. They finally took up land on the All Sort Range, in Amity, and settled thereon, and many families of that name have descended from them, some of whom are still in possession of the ancestral estates.
A John Rhoads is buried in the old graveyard at Amityville, just east of the present church building. The inscription on his stone reads: John Rhoads who departed Oct. 19, 1747. Catharine Rhoads, widow of the John Rhoads, who died in 1767, made a will Nov. 20, 1784, probated Aug. 6, 1786 in which she mentions sons Adam, John and Matthias.
13, 1795, and is buried in the Amityville Church cemetery. He was an extensive farmer and owned much land in Colebrookdale township. He had for many years up to the time of his death, been looked upon as one of the substantial men of that locality. In 1760 he was already taxable in the Colebrookdale district, being assessed at 50 pounds that year and paying 15 shillings tax.
Jonathan Roth (or Rhoads), son of Matthias, was born March 18, 1751, and died Sept. 3, 1819, aged 68 years 5 months and 15 days. He was bequeathed a grist mill, sawmill, two tracts of land, on one of which were the aforesaid mills, the one containing 60 acres and 85 perches, with allowances of six per cent for roads; and the other 45 Ѕ acres, with its respective appurtenance. The one of these tracts, of which the grist mill and saw mill were located had been the original Rutter property owned and occupied by the early iron master by that name, who had long before the Revolutionary War acquired the mineral rights in that section.
John Roth (or Rhoads) married to Catharine K. Boyer and the father of Dr. Thomas J.B. Rhoads was the son of the aforesaid Jonathan Roth (or Rhoads) and Dorothea Elizabeth Linn his wife. John Rhoads was born June 28, 1788 and died July 4, 1886 aged 72 years and 6 days. He was also a prosperous farmer in Colebrookdale township, some of the land which he owned being now in the possession of the estate of Dr. J.B. Rhoads. John Rhoads was married on Dec. 13, 1818, to Catharine K. Boyer, who was born Jan. 22, 1803, and was the daughter of Henry Boyer, who with his brother Daniel, principally founded the borough of Boyertown and after whom the town received its name. Thirteen children were born to the marriage of John Rhoads and Catharine K., his wife as follows:
Jonathan; Henry; Benneville; Loretta, intermarried with William K. Grim; Sarah intermarried with William Fegley; Elizabeth intermarried with Daniel McCormich; Dr. Reuben B. (who is still living in his 90th year and is well and prominently known in the city of Reading and the lower part of Berks and upper part of Montgomery Counties. He is the last survivor of this family, and the oldest Rhoads at this time); Julius; Thomas J.B. Rhoads, (the subject of this sketch); Emma; Angelina intermarried with Solomon Erb.
Dr. Thomas J.B. Rhoads was born on the old Rhoads Farm in the borough of Boyertown and spent his entire life in Colebrookdale township and Boyertown, excepting the one year he practiced medicine in Gilbertsville, Montgomery County, Penna., and the two years he spent in the army during the Civil War. Dr. Rhoads attended the schools taught in that community by the late Henry G. Stetler, and under him was prepared to enter Mt. Pleasant Seminary at Boyertown. He attended Mt. Pleasant Seminary until he was 18 years of age, when he engaged in school teaching, his first school being the Wise school and the Gabelsville in the same township. While he was teaching school he determined upon the study of medicine, and under the preceptor ship [sic] of his elder brother, Dr. Reuben B. Rhoads and Dr. Henry W. Johnson; of Boyertown, he prepared himself to enter Jefferson Medical College, which institution he entered in the fall of 1858, and graduated there from in the spring of 1861.
Whilst practicing medicine at Gilbertsville, which is a scant mile and a half southeast of Boyertown; the Civil War broke out and he was commissioned an assistant surgeon in the 169th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, then at Gloucester Point, opposite Yorktown, Va., where his brother, Dr. Reuben B. Rhoads, was acting surgeon. This regiment was ordered in 1863 to march towards Gettysburg and intercept General Lee, but by the time they reached the Potomac they found Lee's army had arrived first; and sometime thereafter their regiment was mustered out on or about July 28, 1863.
Upon the termination of his war experience, Dr. Rhoads returned home and took up his residence in the Dr. Johnson homestead in the borough of Boyertown and began the practice of medicine there. He soon built up a large practice, so that he needed a more commodious home and the community a drug store; therefore, in 1868 he built the home which he occupied at the time of his death, on one side of which he conducted a drug store for many years. After practicing for a number of years his practice grew very large and he became interested in various business enterprises of the borough so that he was the most actively engaged man at that time in the said community. In 1874 he assisted in the organization of the National Bank of Boyertown, and was it's president until 1882. In 1883 he organized the Farmer's National Bank of Boyertown and was its president until his death. He was a director of the Boyertown Mutual Fire Insurance Company from the time of its organization and treasurer of the John Rhoads Mining Company.
In public affairs he was an ex-burgess of the borough, was elected one of its first councilmen; and served as school director for many years. He was president of the Board of Health, treasurer of the Friendship Hook and Ladder Company, past commander of Gen. George Cook Post, G.A.R., of Boyertown, a member of the Historical Society of Berks County of the Pennsylvania German Society and the National Geological Society.
With all these varied interests, Dr. Rhoads was kept very busy, and in 1877 he formed a partnership for the practice of medicine with his brother-in-law, Dr. Thomas H. Leidy, now of Reading, in the borough of Boyertown, which partnership existed during this most busy time and for a period of 12 years.
With all his varied interests Dr. Rhoads had kept in touch with the progress of medical science, and was skilled in surgery. He performed many difficult surgical operations and successfully treated and cured thousands of cases of illness in that community. He was a man of great courage a remarkable personality, fearless, and somewhat reticent in his manner. His presence was commanding and was felt wherever he went; his was a character and an ability which are bound to be felt in any community where he chose to reside. His view on all public and business matters was constructive as well as optimistic. He took great pride in the community in which he resided as well as in the practice of his profession and the enterprises in which he was engaged. He was a man of consummate energy, a tireless worker and was never idle. In later years when he was afflicted and suffering with pain, he showed the greatest fortitude and the most remarkable endurance, in the last 25 years of life the public generally recognized him and gave him the title of "Uncle Jeff" and it was by this name that he was most generally known in the community.
Prior to the time that he reached middle life, it was not known that he had the genius of writing poetry and other literature and which he subsequently demonstrated with his usual tireless energy and with his spirit of always keeping in action and accomplishing something, as well as with his pride for his profession, his community and the local history, thereof. He thus devoted himself to writing medical literature, poems and other compositions.
Most of this writing was mentally arranged as he drove through country roads on long day and night drives, and in particular many thereof were arranged and constructed while he was driving his favorite horse (Old Kate) in his open buggy without a support for his back. As he wrote these poems and literature the same were published weekly and otherwise in the Berks County Democrat, and the public of his community, in particular, took great pleasure and interest in reading the same "Onkel Jeff," as he styled himself, in writing these poems has resurrected and almost alone preserved the legends, traditions and the old stories, characteristic and fables of the community for all time to come.
In 1904, he published his first volume containing his photograph over his signature as a front piece entitled "Onkel Jeff's Reminiscences of Your and Other Poems". It would be highly interesting, but very lengthy to discuss the most interesting of his poems and the conditions for and about which they were written, but I cannot help mentioning especially the poem entitled "That Old Tim Box of Mine", which was a favorite of Uncle Jeff's, reading it into this sketch as follows:
That Old Tin Box of Mine
Who has not seen that old tin box of mine?
My close companion well nigh two score years.
This I have Jugged along through rain or shine-
The truth of which in that old box appears.
Some carry costly leather-covered chests,
With nickel-plated bindings all around;
Wherein, in separate compartments nests
Of tiny bottles in each space are found.
A handsome thing to look at I admit;
If lugged with case from place to place in town.
But when it comes to practice, not a bit
More handy than the old tin box I own.
When I hung out my shingle years ago
At Gilbertsville, one pleasant morn in May
I carried saddle-bags wherein to stow,
Things I might need to see the sick each day.
But, when I went to war I stowed away
Those saddle-bags to let them have a rest.
Nor have I ever used them to this day
Because I like my old tin box the best.
There every bottle in its proper place
Comes readily to hand in darkest night,
When quickly its location I can trace
Without the aid of artificial light.
This could be done with other, it is true.
In handsome chests with nickel lock and key;
But then why should I change to something new?
No reason in the world that I can see.
Unless it be to keep up with the times
Or else, perhaps, to show a little style.
In my perambulations I sometimes
Gaze on this tin box with a secret smile.
To see the dented corners, battered lid,
The stout tin bottom and the paper key;
Then note the fact that in that box lid hid
The means that brought success in life to me.
The taunts and jeers about that box of mine
By customers whose friendship I revere,
But served to bind still closer and entwine
That old tin box to me from year to year.
I lugged in the winter's frigid air,
And sweltered in the summer's scorching suns
In toting it in weather foul or fair;
By day or night when I was called upon.
Why should I now discard this box of mine,
That served my purpose for so many years,
And substitute a case more neat and fine?
A doubtful move to me such plan appears.
It caused no corner in the price of tin,
When to my order that tin box was made
Nor when the well-known remedies within
Were stowed away, did drugs decline a shade.
Now when life's summit by me has been passed,
While round this box so many memories twine,
As long as needed, or while life shall last,
I'm bound to stick to that tin box of mine.
And I must also call attention to such others which were much thought of by "Onkel Jeff" and by all those who were familiar with them as follows: "A Family Gathering", "An Amusing Episode During a Fourth of July Oration at Boyerstedle in 1818", "An old Boyertown Character Portrayed", "An Old Time Battalion", "A Rural Kitchen Scene of Fifty-five Years Age", "Breaking Flax in Olden Time", "Centennial Anniversary of Betsy Trout", "Christmas Even Sixty Years Ago", "Daniel Herzog and His Flying Circus", "Devil's Hum", "Funnel Cakes, Genovefa [sic]", Gone But Not Forgotten" (written upon and after the death of his daughter), "Hope for Rheumatics", "Haymaking in Olden Time" "Hexerei Hints Worth Heeding In Selecting a Wife", "How I Practiced to Shoot on the Wing", "How to Run a Newspaper on Promises and Well Wishers", "Look Out! There Are Spooks About", "Maud at the Seashore", "Old Time coasting", "Old Tony's Last Ride", Only a Tramp", "Our Spring House", "Our Favorite Shellbark Tree", "Petition Number Two", "Popodickon"', "Prospect Hill", "Rock and I", "Running for Office".
In 1906 he published Volume 2 of his "Reminiscences of Youth and Other Poems", with the following preface.
Preface
In launching this, my second volume of "Onkel Jeff's Reminiscences of Youth", I do so with the consciousness of the fact that the sea of literature is over-crowded with books upon all sorts of subjects to tickle the fancy or to please the eye, still, with all this overproduction of literary work there may be some unoccupied niche which this book of mine may possibly fill. Some way-side wanderer may be cheered thereby when he hears of the "Story of Tramp," or "Ten Minutes With a Tramp" some sorrowing home may be brightened by reading the closing stanzas of "Such Is Death" some despondent clerk or employee may find consolation in reading "Bear Your Burdens Lightly, some gloomy fire-side may be illuminated by reading "The Doctor's Lot", "Waiting for the Trolley", etc. Thus after brightening the home at the close of the day when seated around the table to have someone read selections covering the experience of those who lived several generations ago. With these thoughts in my mind, I felt justified in issuing this volume as a sequel to Volume I. Trusting it may meet with the same favorable comments accorded to Volume I, I submit it to a criticizing public, hoping and trusting that it may be the means of cheering up the lonely and despondent for a proper realization of their sphere of usefulness in their journey through life.
As a front piece there was presented his portrait at his then age of 69.
In this volume I would mention for special examination and consideration the following poems: "Plain Facts,", "Ten Minutes With a Tramp", "The Burning Question", "The cave Child", "Chip Begins To See the World", "Le Vaugn Visits the Cave", "Chips New Home", "Le Vaugn Returns to a Desolate Home", and other poems on this subject matter of the cave child; also "The Chimney Corner", "The Chimney Sweep", "The Country Boy", "The Country Girl", "The Crowing of the Cock", "The Cupboard in the Wall", "The Dear Old Home" (a picture of which accompanies the poem, and which was the homestead of the family for at least three generations), "The Doctor's Lot",, "The Revision of Uncle Jeff's Poems on the Sunset of Life", (as revised by his brother Dr. Reuben B. Rhoads), "The Fate of the Kickers", "The Golden Rule", "The Hermit of Fancy Hill", "The Old Oak Tree', "The old Time Blacksmith Shop" (with illustration), "The Old Wheelwright Shop" (written on request). "The Reason Why I Am a Bachelor", "The Reason Why I am and Old Maid", "The Tale of Onewago (being an Indian chief who dwelt with his people beyond the Manatawny), "Popodickon's Return from the Chase", "The Old Union Sixty Years Ago, and "The Townboy".
On May 10, 1862, Dr. Rhoads married Theresa F. Leidy, daughter of Captain Henry Leidy and Sophia Leidy his wife, and to their marriage four children were born, viz: two who died in infancy; Katie N., wife of Prof. Elmer J. Conner, who died Nov. 28, 1893, and Col. Thomas Leidy Rhoads, being the fourth and surviving child, who is well-known to the people of this county by reason of his naval and military services performed for the government of the United States in the Spanish-American War and the world war, and also for his services as military aid and physician to President Taft during his term of office. A grandson, Thomas Collier Rhoads, a student at Yale College, also survives.
Dr. Thomas J.B. Rhoads, a genius and a great and useful citizen, respected by all, died on Dec. 23, 1919, at his home in Boyertown, shortly before midnight from heart failure, at the age of 82 years, and his remains were buried in the Fairview Cemetery of the said town four days later, on Dec. 27.
As his nephew, and one who came in much personal contact with him I take much pleasure in assisting in paying this small tribute to him and on behalf and at the request of the widow, son and grandson take additional pleasure in presenting to this society a set of his poems, containing also an engraving of himself taken when he was in the prime of life and another engraving of himself after he reached old age, so that his writings may be preserved amongst the records of the society for the use of one and all.
At the conclusion of the reading of this very interesting paper, President Scholl called upon the members present for remarks inviting anyone who knew Dr. Rhoads to state some facts concerning his acquaintanceship with him.
Secretary Fox suggest that Lawyer A. H. Rothermel, who hails from the eastern section of Berks County and knows many members of the Rhoads family, said that although he was born within eight miles of where Dr. Rhoads lived and knew of his reputation as a successful medical practitioner he never had the pleasure of becoming acquainted with hi.
Dr. Wilson D. DeLong, of this city, a dental surgeon, who before engaging in dentistry had studied medicine spoke of his association with Dr. Rhoads in his medical practice and how he had assisted him in surgical operations by administering the ether and rendering other help. He referred to Dr. Rhoads skill and conscientiousness, and said that he enjoyed a large practice.
The secretary, Cyrus T. Fox, spoke of his early meeting with Dr. Rhoads also of the fact that part of the extensive deposit of iron ore in the borough of Boyertown was on the Rhoads farm; that the Rutter mentioned in Mr. Leidy's paper was Thomas Rutter, the first iron master in Pennsylvania, who erected the Colebrookdale furnace at Pottstown in 1717. This furnace was operated by Rutter for a number of years who was succeeded by his son-in-law Thomas Potts.
Secretary Fox next alluded to the interest that Dr. Rhoads had always manifested in the historical society; how he was prompt in remitting his dues, which he usually sent in the form of a check on New Year's Day, so that the same came to hand on either the second or third day of January, as his membership care, in the possession of the society, will attest. His attachment was shown in the matter of the society's welfare and doings just two weeks prior to his death when he replied by an undated postal card to an invitation which the Secretary sent him to participate in the society's 50th anniversary dinner on Dec. 15, 1919, known as the "Golden Jubilee". He wrote on the care: "I am sick, and will be unable to take part in the anniversary." The signature, "Thos. J. B. Rhoads," was exactly like that in his book of poems, Volume I, written in 1806[sic, should read 1906], showing no variance from his regular chirography. The postal, Mr. Fox said, was postmarked Boyertown, December 9, 1919. This date was just two weeks prior to the death of Dr. Rhoads, which occurred on Dec. 23, when he was 82 years old. The funeral took place on Dec. 27.
The Secretary then referred to Dr. Rhoads having been a "country member," and said that the society should have a larger membership throughout the county; that while the membership is now almost up to the 1,200 mark, the greater part is in the city of Reading; that it should extend to a larger extent into the country districts. Mrs. Sarah G. Sabold and her sisters the Misses Kate and Mahella Grim, daughter of the late William K. Grim, L.P.G. Fegley, John Z. Harner and Edwin K. Shultz of Boyertown are members of the society.
[Note here that Sarah Sabold, Kate and Mahella Grim were nieces of Dr. Rhoads, and daughters of William K. Grim who was a brother-in-law. The remainder, L.P.G. Fegley, John Z. Harner and Edwin K. Shultz were friends and business acquaintances of Dr. Rhoads.]
After having read his paper, Mr. Leidy presented the society with a set of Dr. Rhoads Poems in two volumes, bound in red cloth, with the following title on the back of each:
Onkel Jeff's Reminiscences of Youth and Other Poems
It was explained that Dr. Thomas J.B. Rhoads was known to his patients, neighbors and friends as "ONKEL" or Uncle Jeff". His full name being Thomas Jefferson Boyer Rhoads, the name Boyer coming from the maternal side.
Inscribed on the inside of the first volume on the cover was the following:
PRESENTED TO THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF BERKS COUNTY BY THOMAS K. LEIDY, ESQ., AT THE REQUEST OF THE WIDOW, SON AND GRANSON OF ONKEL JEFF
The above transcript is from an article that appeared in the Berks County Democrat in 1920, regarding a presentation at the Berks County Historical Society by Dr. Rhoads' nephew Thomas K. Leidy. Thomas K. Leidy was a first cousin to Thomas Leidy Rhoads, son of Dr. Rhoads, of Boyertown was the author of "My Ancestry" (a Rhoads family history) published by the Reading Eagle, Press, Reading, PA in 1938. The book had a small publication run and is much sought after by researchers today.
One other note should be made in addition to what appears in the biography and that is that Thomas Jefferson Boyer Rhoads was baptized James Jefferson Rhoads (b. Sept. 26, 1837 bpt. Dec. 3, 1837) according to the Union Church Records of Boyertown. Early in life, Dr. Rhoads changed his name to Thomas Jefferson Rhoads, because of his admiration of Thomas Jefferson, framer of the constitution. Throughout his professional career Dr. Rhoads used the name Thomas Jefferson B. Rhoads and his legal signature became Dr. Thomas J. B. Rhoads. As you will read in the article he preferred being known as "Uncle Jeff" or "Onkel Jeff" and in the family history Thomas Leidy Rhoads states "he also disliked the nickname Jim".
Submitted by: Betty.
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