John Ellis Rodley (February 2, 1852 – December 2, 1919) was the fourteenth President of the Chico Board of Trustees, the governing body of Chico, California from 1897 to 1899.

John Ellis Rodley
14th President of the Board of Trustees of Chico, California
In office
1897–1899[1]
Preceded byFrederick C. Williams
Succeeded byOliver L. Clark
Personal details
Born(1852-02-01)February 1, 1852[2]
Galashiels, Selkirkshire, Scotland[2]
DiedDecember 2, 1919(1919-12-02) (aged 67)
Butte County, California
Resting placeChico Cemetery, Chico, California
Political partyRepublican[2]
SpouseMary Elizabeth Rodley (m. April 24, 1893)[3]
Children3
Residence(s)Lebanon, Missouri,[2]

St. Louis, Missouri,[2]

Chico, California
Alma materMissouri Medical College (1881)[2]
OccupationPhysician, surgeon

He was born February 2, 1852, in Galashiels, Selkirkshire, Scotland, the son of Edward Rodley and Sarah Ellis.[2] His father Edward was a manufacturer of wool.[2] His mother Sarah died in Scotland.[2] The family emigrated to the United States in about 1868, and settled in Lebanon, Missouri.[2]

Although, he was still very young at the time, John began his study of medicine under Dr. Hugh Falconer in Scotland.[2] He continued his studies in America at Missouri Medical College (also called McDowell Medical College) in St. Louis from where he was graduated in 1881.[2]

He began to practice medicine in Lebanon, where he resided until 1884.[2] He moved to St. Louis, where he continued his practice for four more years, where he was on the Missouri Pacific Hospital, the railroad hospital.[2] He also served as surgeon for the Missouri Pacific Railroad.[2] In 1888, Dr. Rodley left Missouri for California and located in Chico.[2]

In Chico, he practiced medicine, and served on the Chico Board of Trustees, and as its President. He owed four farms, where he raised grains, fruits and nuts.[2]

In 1899, Rodley was sentenced to 12 years in prison after being found guilty of perjury in the witnessing of a forged will offered for probate.[4][5] He was granted parole in 1906.[6]

References

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  1. ^ City Clerk's Office, City of Chico, Roster of Chico City Council Members
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q George C. Mansfield, History of Butte County, California, pp. 730-731 (1918)
  3. ^ "California, County Marriages, 1850-1952," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/K8Z6-VKJ : accessed 23 Apr 2014), John Ellis Rodley and Mary Elizabeth Rodley, 24 Apr 1893; citing p. 547, Butte, California, United States; FHL microfilm 1299186.
  4. ^ Reports of cases determined in the Supreme Court of the state of California
  5. ^ The Pacific Reporter, Volume 63
  6. ^ Journal of the Senate and Assembly
Preceded by President of the Board of Trustees of Chico, California
1897–1899
Succeeded by