Kings County Biographies This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm DANIEL RHOADS one of California�s most highly respected pioneers, came to this coast in 1846. A resume of his life will be found of interest to many, and is as follows: Daniel Rhoads was born on his father�s farm four miles south of Paris, Edgar County, Illinois, December 7, 1821. His father, Thomas Rhoads, a native of Kentucky, was born in 1795. Their ancestors were English people, and grandfather Daniel Rhoads was a soldier under Washington in the Revolutionary war. Thomas Rhoads married Elizabeth Forster, born near Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, daughter of Thomas Forster, of Irish and German descent. They became the parents of eleven children, nearly all of whom grew to maturity; six are still living, and have attained a good old age. Reared a poor boy, Daniel�s educational advantages were necessarily limited. After he reached manhood he became interested in an account of General John C. Fremont�s first trip to California, and determined to come to this coast. He accordingly prepared himself for the overland journey, his outfit consisting of two yoke of oxen, a wagon, a rifle, ammunition and provisions. In 1843 he had married Amanda Esrey, and on this trip to California he was accompanied by his wife, other members of the party being an uncle and family, his father and family and brother-in-law and family. A portion of the time they traveled in company with other emigrants. On April 7, 1846, they crossed the Missouri river at St. Joseph, Missouri, and their arrival at Johnson�s ranch [near Wheatland, Yuba County], in the Sacramento valley, was October 4, that same year. Mr. Rhoads, two other men, his three sisters and wife are the only survivors of that memorable and dangerous journey. The company stopped and rested for a month at Johnson�s ranch, and while there, rived stakes from oak timber, receiving in payment a beef, which kept them in meat for some time. Mr. Rhoads worked for Messrs. Grimes and Sinclair, near Sutter�s Fort, overseeing Indians and receiving about $25 per month for his labor. When Fremont went to whip the Mexicans, all of the men in this party went with him except Mr. Rhoads, who remained in charge of the families. He was at work near Sutter�s Fort when news was received of the awful sufferings of the Donner party in the mountains. The story of this brave but unfortunate party who left Springfield, Illinois, and were overtaken by snow in the Sierras just as they were entering the promised land, is familiar to all. Mr. Rhoads and John Sinclair at once started on foot for Johnson�s ranch, fifty miles distant, the condition of the roads making it impossible to get here with horses. Four days were spent at the ranch in preparing food for the sufferers. They cracked wheat, dried beef, and as soon as possible started for the rescue. Mr. Rhoads, his brother John P., and twelve others comprised the number that set forth with the provisions. A portion of the way the supplies were carried on pack animals, but from Piney Ridge, a distance of eighty miles, each man had to carry seventy-five pounds on his back besides his blanket, hatchet, etc. To carry this heavy weight and travel with snow-shoes over trackless mountains, required no little courage and perseverance, and at Bear valley half of the party gave out and declared they could go no further. Seven, however, were determined to proceed, even if they died in the attempt, and of these seven, only two, Mr. Rhoads and Seth Mootrey are now living. They continued their perilous way, were received with great joy by the members of the Donner party, and except for their bravery many more would have been victims of starvation. Mr. Rhoads relates many interesting incidents connected with this journey and their return trip. Before reaching the place where they had left their pack mules, they were met by a second relief party that had been sent from Yerba Buena by Commodore Stockton. In June, 1847, Mr. Rhoads moved to the Cosumnes river, and the following October to Sonoma. In 1848 he returned to Sacramento, and soon settled on the Briggs and Burris ranch, a mile below where Galt now stands, and was there when gold was discovered at Sutter�s mill. The next two years he spent the summers in mining on the American river, and realized about $8,000 in gold dust. In 1850, accompanied by Mrs. Rhoads, he returned to Missouri, via the Isthmus route, and visited friends and relatives, after which he came back to Sacramento County. In April, 1851, he removed to the neighborhood of what is now Gilroy, and purchased a 1,000-acre stock ranch. In 1857 he drove his stock across the Coast Range to the lower King�s river, his family being at that time in San Jose, where his children were attending school. In the fall of 1860 he brought them to his present home near Lemoore, having built for their reception an adobe house. Mr. and Mrs. Rhoads are the parents of four children, viz.: Sarah, Mary, John W. and Elvira H. Sarah became the wife of J. F. Phillips, and by him had six children. Mr. Phillips died, and Mrs. Phillips did not long survive him. Their children are being reared by grandpa and grandma Rhoads. Mary is the wife of George F. Keiffer, and Elvira married Harry Dawson. Mr. Rhoads has given to each of his children 240 acres of land near him, on which they have comfortable homes. The old home place consists of 1,000 acres; the original adobe house has been remodeled and added to; the trees which this worthy pioneer has planted have grown up and cast a friendly shade over it, and his home presents a most attractive appearance, and is indeed a fitting place for this venerable pioneer and his estimable wife to pass the declining years of their useful lives. Mr. Rhoads spends much of his time in the open air, frequently making trips to the mountains. From one of these mountain outings, he and his wife returned June, 25, 1891, having on that day driven forty-three miles in a carriage. Both have long been members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. He contributed $500 toward the building of their house of worship at Lemoore, and is now steward of the church. �Uncle Dan,� as he is familiarly known, is a genial, kind-hearted old gentleman, and has the respect and esteem of all who know him. He is a noble man and a grand specimen of the California pioneer. Memorial and Biographical History of the counties of Fresno, Tulare and Kern, California Chicago, The Lewis Publishing Company, 1892 p. 614-616 Transcribed by Kathy Sedler