#61 and #63 James A. Rhodes

James A. Rhodes

Born: September 13, 1909
Died: March 4, 2001
Political Party: Republican
Term of Office: January 14, 1963 - January 11, 1971
                        January 13, 1975 - January 10, 1983
Buried: Greenlawn Cemetery Columbus, Ohio
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 James A. Rhodes was born in Coalton, Ohio in 1909. His father was a coal miner who was killed in a mining accident when James was a child. He attended Ohio State University, but couldn't finish since his family needed him to return home to lend financial support. He entered politics in the Columbus area serving in positions from school board member all the way to being elected Mayor of Columbus in 1943. After 8 years as Mayor he was elected Ohio's Auditor's seat. He held that job for the next 10 years. Along the way he ran for Governor in 1954 and lost.

  He ran for Governor again in 1962 and won. He overturned many of the policies of his predecessor Michael DiSalle. He cut taxes while increasing the funding to schools and for infrastructure. He won re election in 1966.

  In May 1970, Governor Rhodes sent National Guard troops onto the campus of Kent State after a few days of looting, rioting and protesting the Vietnam War. As the National Guard tried to break up a protest of about 2000 people, many of the guardsmen opened fire, killing 4, and wounding another 9. 2 of those killed were not involved in the protest, but were just walking from one class to another. 2 days after the shooting Rhodes lost the Republican nomination for a term in the U.S. Senate.

  The Ohio Constitution does not allow a Governor to serve more then 2 consecutive terms in office. But it doesn't specify that you can't be Governor after a 4 year break. And so Rhodes ran for Governor again in 1974 and won. In 1978 he would win re election. In his 2nd 8 years he wasn't as successful as his first 8 years since the Democrats had a stronger influence in the State Legislature by that point. He did however send out many officials to other states, dubbed the "Rhodes Raiders", they went to other states to encourage businesses there to move to Ohio. He couldn't run for Governor again in 1982, but did run unsuccessfully for Governor in 1986. He then retired from politics and passed away in 2001.

   Rhodes is easily the longest serving Governor of Ohio. But he is currently the 4th longest serving Governor of any state in the United States.

Rhodes gravesite was one of 5 Governor gravesites that I saw in March 2010 at Greenlawn Cemetery. A little more on this trip under the James Campbell blogpost.


Rhodes is buried in a masoleum in Greenlawn Cemetery. I thought it was cool that there was a picture of a baby left there. Possibly by one of his grandkids of a great grandchild. I am just guessing.

Governor Rhodes with future President Reagan

Governor Rhodes with President Nixon

A picture of Governor Rhodes 2001 funeral

Governor James A. Rhodes final resting place in 2010

   

A picture from my return trip, Memorial Day weekend 2017

I have now visited Governor Rhodes final resting place 2 times, 7 years apart. And I couldn't help but notice that the same picture of a baby was there both times.

Khloe and I return 7 years later with her brothers.

Khloe and I pay our respects to Governor Rhodes in 2010