Rice - Edgar A.
Source: History of Montgomery County, Indiana
(Indianapolis: AW Bowen, 1913) p 930
That
the career of such a man as Edgar A. RICE, the former efficient and popular
incumbent of the office of County Clerk of Montgomery County, besides being
treasured in the hearts of relatives and friends should have its public record
also, is peculiarly proper because a knowledge of men whose substantial
reputation rests upon their attainments and character must exert a wholesome
influence upon the rising generation. While transmitting to future generations
the brief chronicle of such a life, it is with the hope of instilling into the
minds of those who come after the important lesson that honor and station are
sure rewards of individual exertion. He was for a number of years one of the
popular educators of this locality, and has shown himself to be a
public-spirited citizen. Mr. Rice was born on February 24, 1877, in Union
Township, Montgomery County, Indiana and he is a son of William A. and Martha
E. (Hipes) Rice. The father was born on December 29, 1838 in Kentucky, from
which state he removed to Indiana in 1852, locating in Montgomery County where
he became well established and well known. His death occurred on August 11,
1911. The mother of our subject was born March 9, 1850, in Virginia, and her
parents removed to Indiana when she was a child. Thus in this state the parents
of our subject grew to maturity, received a meager education in the common
schools and here were married, and spent their lives engaged in agricultural
pursuits. They became the parents of seven children, five of whom are still
living, namely: James is deceased; Charles, lives in Danville; Henry was next
in order; Edgar A, of this review; Bessie, is deceased; John W. and Clay M.
were the youngest.
Edgar
A. Rice grew to manhood in this County and he received a good education in the
common schools, later attending the Central Normal at Danville, Ill also the
Indiana State Normal in Terre Haute. On January 5, 1902 he was united in
marriage to Ona M. Surface, who was born in Illinois June 16, 1883. She
received a common school education, and was a daughter of Aaron F. and Amanda
(Talbert) Surface. The following children were born to our subject and wife:
Helen E, born March 1, 1905 is in school; Meredith born October 25 1909. Mr.
Rice began life as a teacher in the schools of Montgomery County in 1897,
following the same with success for several years. In 1900 he came into the courthouse
as deputy County Clerk under Mr. Kennedy, and he continued in that position for
a period of 8 years with much satisfaction to all concerned as may be
ascertained by his long retention there. He mastered well every detail of the
work in that office, and in 1908 the people of the County showed their
appreciation of his services and their confidence in his integrity by electing
him clerk of Montgomery County, the duties of which he discharged in a manner
highly acceptable to all. Fraternally, he is a member of the Masonic Order,
Lodge no. 50, at Crawfordsville, also the Knights of Pythias, the Modern
Woodmen of America, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tribe of Ben Hur
and the Patriotic Order Sons of America. Mr. Rice owns his own home in Crawfordsville.
He is president of the Crawfordsville Investment Company, and is a director in
the Crawfordsville Young Men's Christian Association. He is a member of the
Country Club, and is superintendent of the Christian Bible School. In all of
the above he is active and influential and stands well in all circles in which
he chooses to move.kbz