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John LaFayette Rodman

Birth	:	17 Dec 1850 Marshall County, Mississippi, USA
Death	:	28 Jun 1918 Waxhaw, Union County, North Carolina, USA
Burial	:	Selma United Church Cemetery, Selma, Hants County, Canada
Coordinate	:	45.3218840, -63.5359470
Inscription	:	"Truth, Honesty and Effort"
Description	:	Colonel J. L. Rodman of Waxhaw, one of the wealthiest, most prominent and influential citizens of the county, dropped dead in the Waxhaw school house Friday evening at 7 o'clock. His sudden death was due to heart trouble with which he had been suffering for several years. Funeral services were conducted at the home in Waxhaw Sunday afternoon before a crowd such as is seldom seen at any funeral in this section. Services were conducted by Rev. C. E. Robinson of Waxhaw, assisted by Rev. H. M. Vestal and Rev. R. J. McIlwaine. The many and beautiful floral offerings from friends... Read More	Colonel J. L. Rodman of Waxhaw, one of the wealthiest, most prominent and influential citizens of the county, dropped dead in the Waxhaw school house Friday evening at 7 o'clock. His sudden death was due to heart trouble with which he had been suffering for several years. Funeral services were conducted at the home in Waxhaw Sunday afternoon before a crowd such as is seldom seen at any funeral in this section. Services were conducted by Rev. C. E. Robinson of Waxhaw, assisted by Rev. H. M. Vestal and Rev. R. J. McIlwaine. The many and beautiful floral offerings from friends in Waxhaw, Monroe, and all parts of the State attest the universal love and respect held for this good man. Interment was in the Waxhaw cemetery. One of the most pathetic scenes at the funeral was the tear-stained eyes of so many old colored men and women, mostly tenants of Mr. Rodman, who have lived on his farms practically all of their lives. To them he had been more than a friend; more like a guardian. He took special interest in their welfare, and no man has ever had more devoted employees than Mr. Rodman. Jackson township and Waxhaw lacked a few thousand dollars of raising its allotment of War Savings Stamps. Mr. Rodman had taken the floor to present a plan to the audience by which the remainder of this allotment could be subscribed. A few minutes prior to this he had made a motion to Mr. C. S. Massey, chairman of the War Savings committee for Jackson township, that the canvassers render their reports. At this time it was noticed that he was suffering from the heat and he had told his daughter, Miss Ethel Rodman, who accompanied him to the meeting, that he was not physically able to address the meeting. His great patriotism buoyed him to a start, however. He began by telling the audience that it only lacked five days of being 142 years since our forefathers signed the Declaration of Independence. He proceeded to relate how as we had grown to a great nation our wealth had increased accordingly. "The United States has more money to-day," he proceeded, "than England, Russia and France." After the word France he paused. Then as he uttered the word "America" his struggling heart refused to beat longer commanded by the noble spirit and slowly he began to sink toward the floor. His was the death of a soldier, battling until the last minute for his country. He knew that it was dangerous for him to speak that evening; he had expressed the fear to his daughter, but unselfish soul that he was, he risked and gave his life that Jackson township might measure up to its duty. History records the death of more than one soldier with the flag of his country in his hands. Such a parallel is the passing of Mr. Rodman. He had no flag in his hand, or clinched to his breast, but the last word he uttered in defense of his country was "America." Friends rushed to his side from the audience and caught him before he completely collapsed. He had been addressing the audience from a position in front of the rostrum. On this he was placed while others rushed for medical aid. It happened that there was no doctor in town at the time, and he expired in about two minutes, before medical attention reached him. Among the first to reach his side after he collapsed were his daughter, Miss Ethel Rodman, and Messrs. Henry Clark and Henry Stephenson. A gloom was cast over Waxhaw as soon as it was known that Mr. Rodman had died so heroically. Friends in Monroe rushed to Waxhaw to console the bereaved family. Regret was expressed on every face. The deceased was born in Marshall county, Mississippi, December 17th, 1850. He was of Scotch-Irish decent and his people originally settled in South Carolina. When he was five years old his parents came back to South Carolina on a visit. Here they remained and when the War Between the States broke out his father joined the Confederate army. He was drowned while crossing a river while the army was in retreat following the battle of Chickamagua. After his father's death, Mr. Rodman then a boy of only 11 years took the father's place. The property which his father had accumulated while in Mississippi had been confiscated and so the family continued to reside on a farm in Lancaster county. During the dark days of reconstruction the late E. J. Heath and the deceased, who were boyhood friends, and remained friends until the death of Mr. Heath, did all in their power to free the state from the rule of the carpet baggers. The boys, they were suspected of being members of the Ku Klux Klan. The action of an influential friend was all that saved the two youngsters from prosecution by the government for being members of the Klan. His meager education, which along with his natural ability made him later a peer among men, was received at the old Wolfesville Academy near Weddington. He attended this academy along with Mr. C. N. Simpson, Sr. and Hon. R. B. Redwine of Monroe. At a meeting of the alumni of this academy several years ago an organization of the former students was formed and Mr. Rodman was elected president of it. Later in life he studied book-keeping in Baltimore. On April 5, 1877, he was married to Miss Hattie J. Hyatt, who survives him. To this union eight children were born, six of whom survive. They are: Mrs. L. E. Brown of Chester, S. C.; Mrs. Roy Walkup of Lancaster, Miss Ethel Rodman, Miss Pearl Rodman and Miss Lola Rodman of Waxhaw, and Mr. J. L. Rodman, Jr. of Waxhaw. Miss Lola Rodman had been undergoing treatment in Dr. Proyor's hospital in Chester for some time. She was unable to attend the funeral services. One brother, Mr. S. A. Rodman of Rodman, S. C., also survives. After his marriage he moved to a farm about five miles south of Waxhaw. In March, 1885, while on a visit to his brother in South Carolina, he suffered the misfortune of losing one leg in a saw mill accident. This accident did not discourage him, however, and after taking a course in book-keeping at Baltimore he moved to Pineville where he entered business with Mr. E. J. Heath. He engaged in the mercantile business here for three years and then moved to Waxhaw in 1888, where he made his home until the time of his death. Parental links provided by Irisheyes.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is John LaFayette Rodman's memorial?
John LaFayette Rodman's memorial is located at: Selma United Church Cemetery, Selma, Hants County, Canada.
When did John LaFayette Rodman death?
John LaFayette Rodman death on 28 Jun 1918 in Waxhaw, Union County, North Carolina, USA
Where are the coordinates of the John LaFayette Rodman's memorial?
Latitude: 45.3218840
Longitude: -63.5359470

Family Members:

Parent

Spouse

Harriet J “Hattie” Hyatt Rodman

(1858 - 1940)

Siblings

Children

(1880 - 1946)

(1884 - 1974)

(1890 - 1963)

(1892 - 1979)

John LaFayette Rodman Jr.

(1896 - 1962)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Selma United Church Cemetery
Selma, Hants County, Canada
Coordinate: 45.3218840, -63.5359470

2. Holy Trinity Anglican Church Cemetery
Maitland, Hants County, Canada
Coordinate: 45.3100830, -63.5059720

3. Oak Island Cemetery
Maitland, Hants County, Canada
Coordinate: 45.3178910, -63.5003540

4. Saint David's United Church Cemetery
Maitland, Hants County, Canada
Coordinate: 45.3173920, -63.5000690

5. South Maitland Cemetery
South Maitland, Hants County, Canada
Coordinate: 45.3180260, -63.4972000

6. Saint Francis Xavier Roman Catholic Cemetery᥿
Maitland, Hants County, Canada
Coordinate: 45.3101390, -63.4900170

7. Lower Selma Heritage Cemetery
Lower Selma, Hants County, Canada
Coordinate: 45.3130200, -63.6002500

8. Folly Village Cemetery
Glenholme, Colchester County, Canada
Coordinate: 45.3944120, -63.5383130

9. Masstown Cemetery
Masstown, Colchester County, Canada
Coordinate: 45.3880830, -63.4805490

10. Saint John The Baptist Anglican Church Cemetery
Maple Grove, Hants County, Canada
Coordinate: 45.2422390, -63.5526470

11. Old Clifton Cemetery
Clifton, Colchester County, Canada
Coordinate: 45.3323900, -63.4190100

12. Fisher Creek Cemetery
Green Oaks, Colchester County, Canada
Coordinate: 45.2606300, -63.4475470

13. United Church Cemetery
Clifton, Colchester County, Canada
Coordinate: 45.3367800, -63.4118300

14. Old Barns Cemetery
Old Barns, Colchester County, Canada
Coordinate: 45.3359930, -63.4115360

15. Christ Church Cemetery
Beaver Brook, Colchester County, Canada
Coordinate: 45.3371240, -63.4112830

16. Noel Shore Cemetery
Noel Shore, Hants County, Canada
Coordinate: 45.3081810, -63.6622280

17. South Maitland United Church Cemetery
South Maitland, Hants County, Canada
Coordinate: 45.2404910, -63.4589410

18. Mahon Cemetery
Great Village, Colchester County, Canada
Coordinate: 45.4165490, -63.5999100

19. Lower Onslow Clarke Cemetery
Belmont, Colchester County, Canada
Coordinate: 45.3828700, -63.4061300

20. Green Oaks Calvary Union Cemetery
Green Oaks, Colchester County, Canada
Coordinate: 45.2435905, -63.4207847

21. Isgonish Burying Grounds
Debert, Colchester County, Canada
Coordinate: 45.3986190, -63.4111070

22. Five Mile River Cemetery
Five Mile River, Hants County, Canada
Coordinate: 45.2161900, -63.6176900

23. Middle Road Cemetery
Debert, Colchester County, Canada
Coordinate: 45.4360100, -63.4771600

24. Greens Creek Cemetery
Green Creek, Colchester County, Canada
Coordinate: 45.2495730, -63.3893970