Rice - William A.
Source: Portrait & Biographical Record of
Montgomery, Parke & Fountain Counties, Indiana. Chicago: Chapman Brothers,
1893, p 671
William A. RICE, well-to-do
farmer of Montgomery County, owns and occupies a valuable and well-equipped
farm on Sec. 29, Union Twp. He was born in Fayette Co, Ky Dec 29, 1838 and is a
son of Abraham Rice, who was also a native of that state, born in one of its
pioneer homes May 10, 1796. His parents, Michael and Catherine BALSAM Rice,
were from Maryland, and were of German antecedents. Michael Rice was a minister
in the Dunkard Church in early life and subsequently became a preacher in the
Christian Church. He had a family of 17 children. Abraham Rice was next to the
eldest of his father's children. He grew to manhood in Jessamine Co Ky and was
married in Fayette Co that state to Miss Margaret LYDICK, who was born Nov 18,
1800 and was a daughter of Adam Lydick, who was a prominent and wealthy farmer
of that county. Mr. Rice lived in Harrisburgh for 2 years after his marriage, working
at his trade as brick mason. He returned at the end of that time to Fayette
County, where he settled on an estate that he had inherited from his father. He
engaged extensively in raising horses, which he took to Philadelphia to sell.
After that he went into the business of making brick and building houses on his
own responsibility. In 1851 he left Fayette County to take up his abode in this state and located on the place where our
subject now lives. He bought four hundred acres of land and in the comfortable
home that he built up here he and his wife lived until they closed their eyes
in death - he dying first, Oct 17, 1873, and her a year later, Oct 29, 1874.
They were people of sound Christian principles, and were among the prominent
members of the Disciples Church as were all of their family and he was Deacon
of the church during his many years' residence in Kentucky. Politically, he was
a Whig until the dissolution of the party and then became a Democrat. He and
his wife reared a family of 7 of whom all grew to maturity; and four are still
living. martin, who is engaged in the brick business at Crawfordsville, Anna
Eliza, wife of William R. Payne Union Township; Martha, wife of George b. Fause
of Crawfordsville and our subject. Those that died are Levi, who was an artist
and architect and whose death occurred in Fayette Co Ky at age 21; Elizabeth B,
who married James S. Fisher and died at age 60; and Maria, who died at age 64.
The subject of this sketch was only 13 when the family came to this county. He
had previously been educated in the schools of his native county. He remained
with his father until his death and inherited the estate with his sister,
Maria. After her death, he inherited a part of her share and bought out the remainder
of the other heirs. He now has 160 acres of land all of which is cultivated and
highly productive. A well-ordered set of buildings adorn the place and thrift
and good management are apparent on every hand. Our subject does a lucrative
business as a general farmer, raising sheep of standard breeds and other stock.
Mr. Rice was married Oct 31, 1867 to Miss Martha E. HIPES, a daughter of Adam
Hipes, who was at that time a resident of this county. Mrs. Rice is a native of
this county and was born March 9, 1850. Her father was a Virginian by birth. He
married Martha E. DICE, who was born and reared in Virginia and daughter of
David Dice. Mr. Hipes was one of the early settlers of this county and one of
its pioneer teachers. He had three children: James, who was born in 1848, became
a practicing physician in early manhood and died in 1876; Mrs. Rice; and Mary,
who married William Everson, a farmer of Union Township. Mr. and Mrs. Rice have
been blessed with a family of 7, of whom 5 are living: Charles, who was born
August 31, 1872 and is a drummer in the mill and oil business; Henry, born July
18, 1874 assists his father on the farm; Edgar, born Feb 25, 1876 is at home
with his parents; John W, born July 12, 1881 and Clay M, born April 5, 1886.
James M, who was born Aug 9, 1868 died Feb 22, 1869 and Minnie Ellis born June
10, 1880, died Aug 13, 1880. Our subject and his amiable wife are members in
high standing of the Disciples church and by their neighborly kindness,
charitableness and upright walk show themselves to be consistent in their
religion. Mr. Rice is a true Republican, who is active in local politics and is
a strong party man always working hard for the success of his party in every
campaign. kbz