Civil War Veterans Buried In Washington State - Isaiah Rhoades

60^th OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY
Organized: 2/25-28/62 Gallipolis, OH
Mustered Out: 11/10/62

146^th OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY
Organized: 5/9-12/64 Camp Dennison, Cincinnati, Ohio
Mustered Out: 9/7/64 Camp Dennison, Cincinnati, Ohio

REGIMENTAL HISTORY: (60^th)

The 60^th, a one year regiment, was to spend its period of service in and around Virginia's lower Shenandoah Valley on the northwest fringes of the war's "eastern theatre" In April, 1862 it was sent to the field and joined Union Gen. John C. Fremont's forces at New Creek, in western VA.

 During a brisk engagement near Strasburg, VA it behaved like a veteran unit and acquired a good reputation. During the battle of Cross Keys (6/8/62) it was firm and cool under fire, while taking severe losses.

 Despite these laurels its last service was the unfortunate affair at Harper's Ferry, VA (9/12-15/62) where, as a consequence of the surrender of the place, the entire membership of the 60^th became prisoners of war. It was a sad fate for a strong regiment.  The soldiers of the 60^th were paroled and on 11/10/62 mustered out.

 Regimental losses: 1 officer killed or mortally wounded; 2 died of disease, accidents, etc. - 9 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded; 30 enlisted men died of disease, accidents, etc.

SOLDIER: (60^th)
Residence: Inf. Not Avail. Age: 16.8 yrs.
Enlisted/Enrolled: 11/28/61 Rank: Pvt.
Mustered In: 11/28/61
Mustered Out/Discharged: 11/10/62 Camp Douglas, Chicago, IL
Highest Rank: Pvt.

SOLDIER: (146^th)
Residence: Inf. Not Avail. Age: 19.2 yrs.
Enlisted/Enrolled: 5/2/64 Rank: Pvt.
Mustered Out: 9/7/64 Camp Dennison, Cincinnati, Ohio
Highest Rank: Pvt.  

PERSONAL/FAMILY HISTORY:

* Note: Available documents disclose many alternative spellings for this veteran's first and last name.  For our purposes we have chosen to utilize the spellings as they appear on his Evergreen Cemetery headstone - Isaiah Rhoades.

  Isaiah C. Rhoades was born 2/22/45 in Highland County, Ohio to George (b. ca. 1802 VA) and Catherine (nee Miller, b. ca.1808 PA) Rhoades. He was the fifth of eight children: John B. (b. 1837OH), Henry (b. 1838 OH), Mary (b. 1842 OH), David (b. 1844 OH), Isaiah (b. 1845 OH), George (b. 1847 OH), Daniel (b. 1848 OH) and Caleb (b. 1850 OH) No information is available pertaining Isaiah's childhood or formative years.   Although dates differ regarding when the 5'7", dark complexioned farm boy first entered the U.S. Army, the one used herein was taken from War Dept. records. Also, private Rhoades' age at enlistment varies One source indicates he was 22, but a quick calculation of years intervening between 1845 and 1861 shows Isaiah was not yet 17. Conclusion: Private Rhoades likely lied about his age!!

 Young Isaiah's stint with the 60^th appears to have passed without serious problem although, years later he would petition for and be granted a government disability pension based on an illness contracted while on duty. According to his telling circa 5/62 while on duty at Ft. Potomac VA he contracted a fever which affected his back. After treatment by the regimental surgeon and in a hospital at Frostburgh, MD he completed his period of enlistment and was mustered out of service with his regiment. 

 Despite his brush with illness private Rhoades' exposure to army life must have been positive because only a few scant months following discharge from the 60^th he re-enlisted. Once more, his regiment the 146^th Ohio was a relatively short term unit.  Private Rhoades served this second enlistment without significant, if any serious repercussions. 

 Army life behind him, Isaiah returned to Highland County, OH and, sometime between September, 1864 and the 1870 U.S. census married Emily "Emma" A. Murphine (b. 1851 OH). The couple would produce four children: Newton (b. 7/19/70 OH), Anna L. (b. 1873 OH), Ose (b. 10/5/81 OH) and William (b. 5/31/88 WA).  Between 1870 and 1880 the Rhoades family moved from Marshal to Brush Creek, OH.  In 1883, however, they made a more significant transfer by leaving Ohio for Marysville, Snohomish County, Washington Territory. Why the long distance resettlement was made is not documented, but as Isaiah was a farmer, it was likely the availability of fertile farmland.

 In 1897 Emma died in the Shoultes area of Marysville. She was buried in the Marysville community cemetery.   

 The following year Isaiah remarried to a woman identified as Anne Patterson in a civil ceremony that took place in the Snohomish County Court House in Everett, WA.   Her name is all that is known about her. The union must not have lasted as the 1900 census for Shoultes, Marysville, Snohomish County, WA listed Isaiah and son William, but not Anne in the Rhoades household.  Isaiah's death certificate would later note him as: "divorced."

 In 1910 the U.S. Census documented Isaiah as still residing in Shoutes/Marysville. By that time, however, farmer was Rhoades was living alone. Interestingly, his marital status in that year was noted as "widower."  Anne, definitely, had not left a lasting impression! 

 Isaiah Rhoades died 4/28/12 in the Everett, Washington hospital. Cause of death was listed as "aortic stenosis,” an obstruction of blood flow through the heart’s aortic valve.  Contributing was an intestinal problem.   

 At death the former Civil War soldier was 70.2 years of age. The amount of his monthly pension check at passing is not known. Burial was in Everett’s Evergreen Cemetery.

Buried at Evergreen Cemetery Everett
Row: 25
Site: 115

Ian Grant Griffing
Woodinville, WA