FREDERIC H. RHODES – From junior clerk to president of a large insurance concern, and owing his promotion to nothing else but inherent capacity and gifts of an exceptionally high kind coupled with energy, perseverance and tenacity in following a certain guiding line, such is in brief the career of Frederic H. Rhodes, president of the Berkshire Life Insurance Company of No. 7 North Street, Pittsfield, Massachusetts.
Frederic H. Rhodes is a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he was born July 14, 1878, a son of Robert M. and Mary S. (Witherspoon) Rhodes. He received his education in the public schools of his native town, and in the Pittsfield Business College. After leaving school he started to work for the Berkshire Life Insurance Company on December 19, 1892, as a junior clerk, and in 1905 was promoted to the rank of manager of an office. In 1910 he again received a promotion to the post of general agent for the company in New York and New Jersey, where he continued until August, 1923, when he went to Pittsfield, Massachusetts, as vice-president of the concern, and was elected president January 21, 1925. In politics Mr. Rhodes is a member of the Republican party, and in religion a member of the Congregational Church. His fraternal and other associations include membership in the Pittsfield Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, in which he holds the thirty-second degree; and is Past Master of the Crescent Lodge, No. 576, of the Masonic order. He belongs to the following clubs and associations; Chamber of Commerce of Pittsfield; New York Athletic Club; Hardware Club; Advertising Club, and the Wingfoot Golf Club, all of New York; Park Club, Country Club and Rotary Club, all of Pittsfield, Massachusetts.
Frederic H. Rhodes married, June 7, 1900, Georgie O. Wilson, daughter of William J. and Mary C. (Shaw) Wilson. Mr. and Mrs. Rhodes are the parents of five children: 1. Paul W. 2. Virginia. 3. Barbara. 4. Frederic H., Jr. 5. Charles H.. twin of Frederic H., Jr. The family home is at No. 164 Bartlett Avenue, Pittsfield.