Husband Hon. Leonard Rhone 1 2
Born: 21 Jul 1838 - near Centre Hall, Centre Co, PA 1 3
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Father: Jacob Rhone (1807-1853) 1 4
Mother: Sarah Kersteter (1811-Aft 1898) 5
Marriage: 1864 3
• Biographical Sketch: John Blair Linn, History of Centre and Clinton Counties, Pennsylvania (Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott & Co., 1883).
To read a brief biographical sketch of his life and career, click here.
Wife Mary Margaret Sankey 2
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Father: James Sankey (1798-1868) 6
Mother: Rebecca Pennington (1802-1887) 6
Children
1 F Mae V. Rhone 3
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2 F Florence S. Rhone 3
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General Notes: Husband - Hon. Leonard Rhone
He was born at the Rhone homestead near Centre Hall, Pennsylvania, and was mainly educated at the old Fairfield school in that vicinity. In 1857-58, he attended Kishacoquillas Seminary one year, but it was to his own observation and private reading that his wide range of information was due. In the winter of 1858-59 he taught the Tusseyville school. Reared as a farmer boy, and later engaging in agriculture as an occupation, he was always in complete sympathy with the tillers of the soil, and his attention was early attracted to the need of union among them for mutual instruction and information, and definite work for desired ends. For the organization of the Patrons of Husbandry he was always an active member. His first official position was connected with the State society, but he was elected master of Pomona Grange of Centre County in 1875, re-elected five times, and in 1877 was chosen master of Centre Hall Grange. In April, 1874, he was appointed first deputy of the county by the then master of the State Grange, and this position he held until 1878, when he was elected overseer of the State Grange, and two years later was elected master of the Pennsylvania State Grange. In the latter year he was elected trustee of State College, and nominated by the Greenbackers to the Legislature, but the latter honor was declined, as was a similar nomination in 1882. In that year he served as a delegate to the National Convention of Agriculture under appointment by Gov. Hoyt, and later he was named by Gov. Hastings as a member of the State Board of Agriculture. In 1885 the Democrats nominated him for the Legislature, and the special issues of that time overcoming his disinclination for political life, he accepted, was elected, and in 1887 became his own successor.
Mr. Rhone owned 215 acres of excellent land, and its fine condition showed that he was as strong in practice as in theory.
He was identified with the Masonic lodge at Centre Hall. He belonged to the Lutheran Church at Tusseyville, but his wife was a devout Methodist in faith.
He was for more than seventeen years the master of the Pennsylvania State Grange, and in him the farmers of the state of Pennsylvania found a progressive, yet cautious, leader. He was prominent also in the National Grange, in which he was chairman of the executive committee, and he attended every annual meeting beginning in 1880. His work in originating the Grange picnic and exhibition at Centre Hall, which met annually in September, and lasted one week, produced great and lasting benefit to the order. Every year saw an increase in attendance and exhibitions, and the opportunity for conference among the farmers was prized more and more every year.