Rhodes eventually studied law and became a noted jurist in the Chesterfield County court systems, as well as a railroad entrepreneur, being one of the first presidents of the Richmond and Petersburg Railroad, chartered in 1836 and opened in 1838 (later the Atlantic Coast Line, now part of CSX Transportation).
Rhodes studied law and later became an influential jurist in Chesterfield County court systems, as well as a railroad entrepreneur. He was one of the first presidents of the Richmond and Petersburg Railroad, established in 1836 and opened in 1838 (now part of CSX Transportation).