Carl H. Rhody 

1911 – 1993

The Saga of Spirit Valley Series

Carl’s grandparents came to the United States in 1883. His grandfather was an army officer in Germany, but gave it up to come here. According to Carl, his grandparents and other immigrants came to this country because of the opportunity to own property and the right to vote. Neither was available to them at that time in Germany.

The Saga of Spirit Valley – The Story of My Father

Carl’s book is about the families, in particular his grandparents, who homesteaded the Spirit River Valley in Price County. It chronicles the period from 1891 to 1911, and how his family and other homesteaders, using virtually all hand labor, grubbed and logged their farms out of the forest. The story is told from the viewpoint of Carl’s father, Henry Rhody.

The Saga of Spirit Valley Part II – “Hard Times – Good Times”

This is the story of the early life of the author into the year of 1938. The purpose in writing these books is to preserve an account of some of the trials and hardships of what early settlers in the area experienced. It will bring out some of the details of living and working that would otherwise be lost.

The Saga of Spirit Valley Part III – Life With Elizabeth

This book includes the World War II period. History books do not present the human side of events. Much of this would be lost forever with the passing of my generation if not recorded in these books. In “Part III” I try to show the virtuous way my wife Elizabeth believed in raising her family.

The Saga of Spirit Valley Part IV – Life With Elizabeth

Life with all its struggles and triumphs goes on. Carl continues his story on life in Spirit. The changes recorded are numerous and diversified – from the end of the house-call deliveries and the beginning of hospital births to the final days of the milk can and the introduction to bulk milk and Grade A. Carl remembers these all for posterity to ponder and to understand farm life in the early years of the second half of this century.

The Saga of Spirit Valley Part V – Vietnam Strikes Home

Part V is somewhat different than the first four books of the Spirit Valley Series. This book centers more on my own maturing family and how the war brought on serious problems.