1895.] '"^^5 [Hartshome. 



In 1852 he entered the Pennsylvania Hospital as Resident Physician, 

 and remained there till 1854. The death of Dr. Ashmead, the leading 

 practitioner of medicine in Germantown, Phiia., made an opening in that 

 place, which induced Dr. Rhoads to begin general practice there. Hav- 

 ing all the qualities and preparation needful for the make-up of a success- 

 ful physician, in the midst of a growing population, including some of 

 the most cultivated people of the neighborhood of Philadelphia, he ob- 

 tained rapidly a large and engrossing practice. In 1860, he married Mar- 

 garet W. Ely, of New Hope, Pa.; who survives him, with two daughters 

 and a son. 



One limitation, which could not be called a fault, existed in Dr. Rhoads' 

 adaptation to medical practice. He was too absolutely self-forgetful for long 

 continued endurance ; too sympathetic not to be worn by the sufferings of 

 others ; too ready to answer every call to obtain for himself sufficient rest. 

 In 1863, his health and strength gave way ; and he sought recuperation in 

 a six months' tour in Europe. That time, however, was not enough for a 

 full restoration of iiis constitutional energy ; and he found it necessary to 

 retire altogether from medical practice. 



Incapable of idleness, philanthropy soon gave him abundant occupation. 

 The Civil War and its results made the Southern freedmen objects of 

 active solicitude among benevolent people in the North. Dr. Rhoads 

 was one of the earliest and foremost of those who, by visitation, instruc- 

 tion and earnest advocacy at home, promoted the advancement of the 

 colored people in every way. At Washington, in Hampton, Virginia, 

 and in Philadelphia, he was among the freedmen's most devoted and prac- 

 tically useful friends. 



When General Gnint inaugurated his policy of justice and kindness 

 towards the Indians of our Western country, a leading part in its realiza- 

 tion fell to the Quakers of the State founded by William Penn, as well as 

 to members of the same religious body in the Western States. In this 

 work Dr. Rhoads took a large part, during all the latter part of his life. 

 The several local organizations of the Society of Orthodox Friends formed, 

 by delegations, an Associated Executive Committee on Indian Affairs. 

 Of this body Dr. Rhoads was, from the start and for many years, the Sec- 

 retary ; virtually its presiding officer. More than half of all the import- 

 ant work of that Committee rested with him ; consisting of the supervis- 

 ion of educational, missionary and other labors lor the benefit of the 

 Indian tribes, the record of which might fill a volume. He was also for 

 several years President of the Indian Rights Association, whose headquar- 

 ters are in Philadelphia ; its active labors on behalf of the Indians, both at 

 Washington and in the far West, being of great importance for their wel- 

 fare. 



In 1876, Dr. Rhoads was called upon to edit a denominational weekly 

 journal in Philadelphia, the Friends' Review. The religious as well as 

 literary aims of that periodical accorded well with his predilections. For a 

 number of years he had taken part, with much acceptance, as a preacher, 



