RICE, Harrison - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

This handsome fellow is Harrison Jacob Rice (Montgomery GenWeb), son of early Waveland settlers, Isaac and Narcissa Allen Rice, Isaac born at Rice’s Fort in PA and Narcissa in Rockbridge County, VA, both moving to Shelby County, Kentucky where they married in 1822. The next year Harrison appeared.  Five brothers and two sisters followed. The Rice family was in Brown Township by 1829 when son Thomas Newton Rice was born, one source saying they came two years prior.  The Rice brothers were doctors (our subject, and John Thompson Rice, surgeon in the Civil War), or lawyers and one a farmer. Pretty amazing.  Harrison’s two sisters married lawyers, as well.  Bet their family get-together conversations were enlightening.

Harrison was born 25 August 1823 in Shelby County and married Nancy Montague Moxley back in his home county on 9 October 1849.   Didn’t research it but wondered if they were relation as Harrison’s mother’s middle name was Montague, as well.  Harrison grew up in MoCo, working on the family farm and attending school whenever one was open near his home.  He loved to learn, attending Wabash for a couple of years.  After leaving Wabash he went to study with his uncle, James L. Allen in Rockville while taking lecture classes in Louisville as he knew in his heart that his big desire in life was to be a physician.  Just before his marriage, he graduated from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia.  Nancy and Harrison returned immediately upon their marriage to Rockville where Harrison became a partner with his uncle until Dr. Allen passed in 1857.  Constantly, Harrison was in demand in nearby counties and was off to someone’s home to doctor, at one time, bringing home a (Parke County Centennial Memorial) whopping tally of $1,450 for a single case.  His office was built in the yard near his large home and during his years as a doctor he had at least 20 who studied under him.  

He was a charter member of the Parke County Medical Society and a member of the State’s plus a member of the Presbyterian Church as was most of the family.  On April 26, 1858 he became a Mason, serving as Master of Lodge No. 8 for ten years  (as well as involved in the Knight Templar and Scottish Rite).  

An exceptional pleasing and effective speech maker, he gave “a masterpiece at the laying of the cornerstone of the Parke County Courthouse Sept 14, 1879.”  (Parke).  Can’t forget his enthusiasm for sports, loving to fish and hunt.  “A gentlemanly, companionable man with whom it was a pleasure to go to the field or to talk over the episodes of hunting or fishing.” (Parke).  Politics was important to him early on, he being an important part of the Democratic machine in the state, but after losing his bid for a Congressional seat in 1870 (against Morton Hunter), he seemed to have not only lost the election but his enthusiasm for that part of his life.  The Parke County Centennial piece also noted that he “was strikingly handsome – a man who would attract attention among the most distinguished of men!”  See, I told ya’!  Nancy was said to have been an amazing helpmate, being quite intelligent, having had good judgment and complete practical sense.  A tiny one, she loved being at home with her children and having the house ready for Harrison when he came in.  They were married for over 43 years when Harrison passed away.  

Harrison and Nancy were parents of three daughters, Victoria; Catherine; Leta and son Henry Haller Rice.  Victoria married Jeremiah Brown who was a printer. They were parents of two sons, Harry and Merrell (who likely died young).  They evidently at least for a short time lived in Polk County, Iowa as a will was there of Harrison’s stating that Victoria received the home where she now lived valued at $20,000.  Besides their four children, they also raised his niece, Rena Rice daughter of his sister Elizabeth and her husband Isaac Anderson Rice.  She would receive $5000 from his estate of over $75,000 when he passed away in June 1895.  

Harrison’s daughter, Catherine Moxley Rice married Frank Stevenson and don’t believe they had any children.  He was a dry goods merchant in Rockville and a Major in Battery C, National Guard for many years.  The other daughter, Leta, enjoyed life, going to parties, visiting relatives in Crawfordsville and Terre Haute, but passed away at just 19.

Only son, Henry Haller Rice married Rebecca Trevey (who died young after gifting him with two sons; Wallace and Harrison Moxley, Henry I believe was a farmer in the  Rockville area.  

One interesting happening in his career was in 1884 when he was called to administer to a sick girl who was pregnant.  When he and friend Dr. Cross left her, she was well; however in a day or two when Dr. Henry Taylor was called into the case, she not only died but so did the child.  Taylor was indicted for having aborted the child but he sued Dr. Rice for having indicated such, saying the child was born dead.  This went on clear up to the US Circuit court for over two years and still not sure how it came out.  

At Harrison’s death, the funeral was overseen by the Masonic fraternity, having passed “of old age” his beloved Nancy joining him upstairs ten years thereafter.  They are buried together in the old Rockville Cemetery as are all the children but Catherine who is buried in Memory Garden in Rockville. RIP each and all!