The attractive two-story frame residence at 1721 8th Ave. S. was the
home of Daniel Rhodes, well-known Fort Dodge abstractor and insurance
man, and his family for nearly 40 years. Rhodes acquired the house in
1909, a short time after it was built. In 1921 he completely remodeled
and modernized the exterior and interior of the house.
When the Rhodes family took over the home, the property was extensively
landscaped with trees and shrubbery. The planting of trees included
Duchess, Wealthy and Whitney apples, plums, cherries, mulberries,
butternut, hard and soft maple, oak, elm and fir. All are now gone.
After its remodeling the house had the following arrangement: first
floor—hall and music room, living room with fireplace, sun porch, dining
room, butler’s pantry, kitchen and breakfast room; second floor—four
bedrooms, sleeping porch and bath. The dining room has walnut woodwork
and a built-in walnut buffet. All other downstairs woodwork is natural
finish oak.
[Illustration: The Rhodes home
1721 8th Avenue South]
Rhodes died in 1946 at age 76 following a successful business career.
Mrs. Rhodes and family continued to reside in the home until 1948 when
it was sold to John R. O’Neill and his sister, Ruth O’Neill. Later the
property was owned by Miss O’Neill and her sisters Mrs. Maude Kempley
and Mrs. Marie Geiger. They sold the home in 1961 to Dr. and Mrs.
Charles L. Dagle who presently occupy it with their children. Dr. Dagle
is associated with the Kersten Clinic.
Rhodes was born in 1870 on a farm southeast of Fort Dodge, attended
local schools and graduated from Iowa State Teachers College (now the
University of Northern Iowa). He taught school for a time and then went
into partnership with J. B. Butler in the firm of Butler & Rhodes,
abstractors, realtors and insurance agents. In later years Rhodes was
president of the Home Building & Loan Association and an officer of the
Iowa Savings Bank. Following his death, the Butler & Rhodes business was
sold in 1947 to James Fitzgerald.
Mr. and Mrs. Rhodes were parents of three children—Miss Rachel Rhodes of
Fort Dodge; Thomas J. Rhodes of Fallbrook, Calif.; and Daniel Rhodes,
Santa Cruz, Calif. Mrs. Rhodes died in 1973 at age 91.