The Tragic Motorcycle Death of Germain W. Rhoads (1906-1940)
According to the several Michigan newspaper mentions of his death, Germain W. Rhoads (1906-1940) died after the motorcycle he was driving struck a car in Mt. Morris, Michigan on June 15th, 1940.
Germain is my first cousin twice removed. His grandparents, John M. Rhoads (1852-1919) and Mary Margaret Costlow Rhoads (1858-1947) were my 2nd great grandparents.
John M. Rhoads (1852-1919) and Mary Margaret Costlow Rhoads (1858-1947) seated with their children. I believe Germain’s father, James H. Rhoads (1879-1954) is the man standing second in from the right. My great grandmother, Ida Rhoads Sears (1900-2002) is the youngest child front and center. The year is probably around 1906. Photo was colorized by Okkama Colorizations at The Psychogenealogist.
Just outside of Flint, Michigan, Mt. Morris is about 70 miles northwest of Detroit. Unfortunately the Flint Journal is not available online. It is likely that it contains additional information about Germain’s death.
Germain’s Certificate of Death indicates that he suffered a fracture of the skull, cerebral hemmorage, and laceration of his right thigh in an “auto motorcycle collision”. He was “Dead on Exam” at Hurley Hospital in Flint. The informant was likely his father, James Rhoad (1879-1964), but possibly his brother, also James Rhoads (born 1902).
I have not connected with any of Germain’s children or grandchildren, though I do know of at least one of his son’s who died in 2017. I have connected with one of Germain’s nephews, Joe. Germain died before Joe was born, but Joe shared some information about family stories that had been passed down over the years.
As Joe recalls it, he was never allowed to buy a motorcycle because of Germain’s accident and stories about his death. In talking with his family, Joe got information that Germain (known as uncle Gerry) was a bit of a black sheep in the family. One of the family stories is that Germain’s mother (Joe’s grandmother), Margaret “Maggie” Campbell Rhoads (1881-), once hit Germain “in the head with a frying pan during an argument. There is no recollection, however, of what the argument was about.”
Here is Maggie with four of her children. It is the only photograph I have seen of Germain. He is the boy on the far left. His sister, Hyacinth M. Rhoads (1909-1991) is sitting on their mother’s lap. Hyacinth is Joe’s mother. Next is Germain’s twin sister, Lucille J. Rhoads (1906-2004). She became a catholic nun and was known as Sister Jameseta Rhoads. Furthest right is Germain’s sister, Ruth Rhoads (born 1904).
Margaret “Maggie” Campbell Rhoads (born 1881) and family. Germain is far left.
A Scottish immigrant who came to and married in Pennsylvania, Germain’s mother was known as a “tough” lady. Another story that made its way through the family lore, unrelated to Germain, was that Margaret once chased a hobo out of the kitchen with a broom during the Great Depression.
Here a couple of other photos related to Germain.
Margaret “Maggie” Campbell Rhoads (Germain’s mother) and some of her siblings.
Germain’s twin sister, Lucille J. Rhoads (1906-2004), also known as Sister Jamesetta Rhoads. Standing next to her is my great grandmother, Ida Rhoads Sears (1900-2002). Ida and Lucille (and Germain) were 1st cousins.
Joe’s brother had heard a variation on the circumstances about Germain’s death. According to him, Germain was riding his motorcycle in the right hand lane of a four lane highway. The car in the lane to Germain’s left did not see him and turned right in front of him. The car door handle tore into Germain’s stomach. He died on the lawn of St. Mary Catholic church on Saginaw Street. Here is a google maps image of that very lawn in front of St. Mary.
It seems quite likely that this is where Germain took his last breath.
St. Mary Catholic Church in Mt. Morris, MI
Joe shared one final sad detail regarding this tragedy. Apparently the family was very dismayed at the way they received the news of Germain’s death when they arrived at the hospital. Already in a state of shock, the family inquired about Germain’s condition. They were told, rather nonchalantly, “Oh, he is dead.”
It is difficult to know what exactly Germain’s family was thinking and feeling at the time, but the fact that this piece of the story even remains some 80 years later is important in and of itself. It also speaks to the quiet and nuanced ways that experiences of family tragedy and trauma get conveyed from generation to generation.
There is certainly more to learn about Germain’s story. Here are some further steps I would like to take and questions I would like to answer.
What information might the Flint Journal add to the story of Germain’s death?
Are their living descendants of Germain’s who might be able to add to the story?
Do any other photos of Germain exist?
Who was driving the car involved in the accident? Were any criminal charges filed?
Is it true that Germain was the “black sheep” of the family? If so, why?