President Judge Chester Rhodes was born in Gouldsboro, Wayne County, on October 19, 1887. He was educated in public schools, then received a B.A. and M.A. from Lehigh University. President Judge Rhodes was admitted to the Monroe County Bar in 1913, then engaged in private law practice.
From 1918 to 1920, President Judge Rhodes served as Monroe County solicitor. He was then elected District Attorney. He left this position in 1922 to join the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, where he was reelected for five additional terms.
President Judge Rhodes was elected to the Superior Court in 1934 and became President Judge in 1947. He remained in this position until his retirement in 1964.
During his career, President Judge Rhodes was a member of the advisory board of the Pennsylvania Military College. Additionally, he received honorary Doctor of Law degrees from the Military College, Muhlenberg College, Gettysburg College, and Dickinson School of Law. In 1955, he received the Meritorious Service Medal of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.