John Harsen Rhoades

John Harsen Rhoades was born in this city in 1838, of English and Dutch descent. Educated in private schools, he began his business life at seventeen as a clerk in a dry-goods store. At twenty-five he became a partner in the firm of Leonard, Schofield, & Company, afterwards Leonard and Rhoades, and Leonard, Rhoades, & Grosvenor. At thirty-nine he withdrew from private business and devoted himself to the duties of various fiduciary positions, the chief of which was the presidency of the Greenwich Savings Bank, in which his enlightened service won him peculiar distinction, very widely recognized. His standard of management for institutions of this character was very high, but by no means merely negative. He recognized the obligation of the utmost thrift consistent with entire safety; he had an intimate and intelligent sympathy with the classes that are at once the supporters and the beneficiaries of savings banks, and realized the very great value of organizations that should bring to these classes their due portion in the industrial activity of society and make them really, if indirectly, shareholders in the enterprises to which the vast sum of their little contributions of capital is devoted. His knowledge of the principles of business and of finance was extensive and accurate, and no man of his time in our country possessed greater authority or exercised it more soundly in more varied fields of practical affairs. Mr. Rhoades cast his first Presidential vote for Lincoln, and was always a staunch Republican; but in municipal affairs he was not a partisan. He was active in all the movements for decent and efficient government, in which his unselfishness, his energy, his sound judgment gave him a peculiar influence. Mr. Rhoades took a lively interest in art, was the possessor of a considerable collection, and President of the Society of Art Collectors. He was connected with most of the prominent organizations of the city, social, scientific, and æsthetic. His circle of friends in The Century was especially large and he is sadly missed.

Edward Cary
1907 Century Association Yearbook