Biography
Dr. Robert H. Rhodes, a physician from New York City, came to California in 1849. His cousin, Col. Elisha A. Rhodes (1791-1858), a widower, had earlier gone to Texas where he was appointed U.S. Consul(1838). There Elisha married a widow, Mary Kimball (1808-1893) of Houston, and they had two sons, Cullen C. (b. 1839) and Edward A. (b. 1841). Both Elisha and Mary Rhodes also had children by their previous marriages. One of Col. Rhodes' sons, William Henry Rhodes (1822-1876), later achieved fame in California as author "Caxton" Rhodes. Elisha Rhodes was incapacitated by a stroke during the late 1840s and his wife, Mary, went to California with William H. (1850), leaving her husband behind. In 1852 she returned to Texas and brought the entire Rhodes family to California, settling them on Windsor Ranch about five miles from Stockton. After Col. Rhodes' death Mary Rhodes continued to operate their ranch for many years. She was also active in prisoner relief work during the Civil War.
William Henry Rhodes studied at Harvard Law School (1844). Upon his arrival in San Francisco, Rhodes practised law and dabbled in politics. When his Southern sympathies caused difficulties for him in California during the Civil War, Rhodes withdrew to Virginia City, Nev. (1863-1865). At war's end, he returned to California where he launched a literary career, publishing poetry and science fiction under the nom de plume "Caxton." While holding a judgeship in the 12th Circuit Court, Rhodes also became well-known for public readings of his works, the most noteworthy of which was probably the anthology, Caxton's Book, published in the year of his death (1876).
From the guide to the Rhodes Family Papers, 1838-1942, (University of the Pacific. Library. Holt-Atherton Department of Special Collections)
