Biographical History of Pottawattmie Co., IA

OHN RODWELL was born in Cambridgeshire, England, January 21, 1846, the son of John and Mary (Goodge) Rodwell, both natives of England. He was a babe when his parents emigrated to this country and settled in Bureau County, Illinois, near Arlington. There they spent the residue of their lives, the father dying in 1850 and the mother in 1882. Mrs. Rodwell was a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They reared a family of three children: Mary, John and Thomas. They were reared on a farm, the father having been a farmer all his life, and early in childhood were taught that industry and honesty were necessary to a useful and successful life.

John received his education, in the public schools. When the great war of the Rebellion came on he went forth in the defense of his country, enlisting in February, 1864, in Company B, Fifty-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He participated in the battles of Resaca, Altoona, Bentonville, and others of less importance. After receiving an honorable discharge at Louisville, Kentucky, he returned to his home in Bureau County, Illinois, where he remained until 1876.

In February of that year he came to Pottawattamie County and located on section 22, Center Township. He purchased eighty acres of wild prairie land, which he improved, and as he prospered he added to his landed estate. In 1880 he bought forty acres in section 21, and four years later, 160 acres in section 15, both having been broken at the time of purchase, and the latter fenced. In 1888 he bought 120 acres in section 8, which had been improved and on which was a house and other buildings. On this property his brother Thomas resides. Mr. Rodwell is the owner of 400 acres of land. On his home farm, which is well improved and under a splendid state of cultivation, he has a fine residence built in modern style at a cost of $2,000. This home, beautifully located and surrounded by ornamental trees and shrubs, forms one of the attractive features of the neighborhood. Mr. Rodwell has a nice grove and orchard, suitable barn and out-buildings and wind-mill; in fact, everything about the place attests the thrift and enterprise of the proprietor. From sixty to seventy-five head of cattle and a large numbers of hogs and horses are usually kept on the farm.

December 29, 1869, Mr. Rodwell married Miss Caroline Frizzell, a native of Bureau County, Illinois, and one of the ten children of Michael and Charlotte (Dean) Frizzell. The father was a native of Massachusetts, and died in Firth, Lancaster County, Nebraska, at the age of eighty-three; the mother, a native of Connecticut, died in Bureau County, Illinois, in June, 1880, at the age of sixty-seven. J. O. Frizzell is a brother of Mrs. Rodwell and A. L. Frizzell is her half-brother. Mr. and Mrs. Rodwell have five children: Michael Eugene, Wilbert, Mary, Luella and Tracy Melvin.

Politically our subject is a strong and radical Republican. He has served with credit as Township Trustee, as a member of the School Board, and is at present Township Clerk. He is also the present treasurer of the School Board. Mr. Rodwell is a charter member of the William Laton Post, No. 358, G. A. R., Oakland, and has served as Chaplain of the Post and Officer of the Day. He is a member of the Spring Creek Methodist Episcopal Church, and is one of its liberal supporters. His family are members of the Center Union Sabbath school.

Mr. Rodwell is a gentleman in the prime of life. In a financial way he has met with eminent success, and his prosperity may all be attributed to his enterprise, integrity and well directed efforts. He is regarded by all who know him as a worthy and upright citizen.

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