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.

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.