William Pierce Rice

As printed in 1909

WILLIAM PIERCE RICE.

William Pierce Rice, well known as a coal operator of Dayton, was born in this county, August 17, 1863. His youthful days were spent in the usual manner of farm lads, for he was reared upon the old homestead to the age of twenty-three years, his time being busily employed during the summer months in the work of the fields while in the winter seasons he attended the country schools to the age of twenty years. Lie afterward devoted his entire time to farming for three years and then, thinking to find other pursuits more congenial and remunerative, he turned his attention to commercial interests, entering the coal office of S. J. Patterson. A year later, in 1888, Mr. Patterson sent him to Jackson county, Ohio, to take charge of his mines. It was a difficult experience for during the two and a half years in which he remained there several very serious strikes occurred. The fact that Mr. Patterson sent Mr. Rice to the mines so soon after he had entered Mr. Patterson’s employ speaks volumes concerning the confidence which the latter had in him and his ability. During a strike which occurred Mr. Rice was in daily peril several times and only his courage saved him but he was ever loyal to the trust reposed in him, faithful in looking after the interests of his employer and at the same time doing everything possible to quell the laborers’ disturbances.

After two and a half years spent in control of the mines in Jackson county Mr. Rice traveled for Mr. Patterson for a year and a half and then embarked in business for himself in 1893, forming a partnership with C. K. Davis, of Detroit. They engaged in the operation of mines near Wellston, Ohio, and from the beginning their efforts were successful. Mr. Rice is now well known as a coal operator and his business has reached large proportions bringing him a very substantial financial return.

On the 8th of November, 1883, near Dayton, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Rice and Miss Martha Patterson, a daughter of W. J. Patterson. They have become the parents of three sons: James, Corwin and Harry Dwight. Mr. Rice belongs to Gem City Council, No. 3, U. C. T., and affiliates with the Reformed church. Pie isa democrat in politics but is not an active partisan. Throughout his active connection with the business world his time has been given in almost undivided manner to the duties that have devolved upon him in connection with his business affairs and his forcefulness and enterprise in this connection have brought him a creditable and gratifying measure of success.

As printed in History of the city of Dayton and Montgomery County, Ohio (1909). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.