The full biographical sketch as printed, transcribed from the public-domain book. Spelling and wording are the original author’s; a few scanning errors may remain.
WILLIAM H. RICE, a prosperous farmer and prominent citizen of Northwest township, was born in Butler county, Pa., March 7, 1827. He is the son of John and Rachel (Lambert) Rice, both natives of Pennsylvania. His grandfather, Henry Rice, a native of Pennsylvania, was a valiant soldier in the war of 1812, and died in his native county. John Rice was a farmer, a Democrat, and with his wife a member of the Lutheran church. He died in Butler county and his widow in Hillsdale county, Mich. William H. Rice was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools of his native county. Having learned the carpenter trade he followed that occupation for five years. In 1845 he removed to Medina county, O., and twelve years later he removed to Williams county, and located on a farm. In 1852 he purchased eighty acres of land and proceeded at once to clear and improve it, and several years later he erected a fine barn and a substantial house on this land. To his original pur- chase he, in 1872, added eighty acres, and later gave a like number of acres to his son Leander. In politics he was in early life a Demo- crat, but afterwards joined the ranks of the Republican party. At present, however, he is actively identified with the Populist party. In 1847 he was joined in the bonds of matrimony to Miss Matilda Reich, a native of Pennsylvania. Of the nine children that have been born to William H. Rice and wife seven died while quite young. Stephen married Miss Sophronia McClain and by her had four chil- dren, two of whom, Elby and. Harry, are living. Stephen died in Wil- liams county about 1880, and Leander, the only living child, is a resi- dent of Minnesota, where he is engaged in general farming. He married Miss Emma Case and by her has had the following children : Charley, Annie, James, Clayton and Lewis Guy.
Source: Biographical Record of Williams County, Ohio. See the original pages at the Internet Archive.
If this is your line, we trace it the whole way: every branch, back as far as the records go and write it up as a family history book, every source cited. No DNA test and no sales call: we take a free first look, then email you a plan and a flat price before you spend a dollar.