*** Headstone Photo contributed by Lanny Golden ***

Profile taken from 'Past and Present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, (1905).

The page may be saved and the book downloaded in PDF form at:

http://www.archive.org/details/pastpresentofcit00coll


Mrs. Mary Rice, whose home is on section 27, Houston township, where she owns an excellent farm of one hundred and thirty acres, is a native of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, born april 17, 1836, her parents being Jacob and Hannah (Kelly) Davidson. Her paternal grandfather was also named Jacob Davidson and her maternal grandfather was a Mr. Kelly. Both were of English lineage. Her great-grandfather was a minister of the Presbyterian church. Her mother was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, March 12, 1816.

During the early girlhood of their daughter, Mary, Jacob and Hannah Davidson removed to Fayette county, Pennsylvania, where the daughter was reared and made her home until after her marriage. In 1854 she became the wife of John Rice, who was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania., December 28, 1828, and was of French and German descent. He pursued his education in the public schools of his native state and was engaged in merchandising in Pennsylvania, after attaining his majority. In the spring of 1855 he came with his wife to Illinois, they making the journey down the Ohio and up the Mississippi rivers to Quincy, Illinois, and thence in a box car to Camp Point. They located in Houston township, where Mr. Rice carried on general farming until his death. In 1858 they took up their abode on the farm which I now the home of Mrs. Rice, and Mr. Rice devoted his energies to its further development and improvement until his life's labors were ended on the 3rd of October, 1893.

In his business affairs he was energetic and determined, resolute and persevering, and the success which he enjoyed was all gained through his own efforts. In community affairs he was prominent and he favored every movement and measure for the public good. He served as a school trustee and also school director and the cause of public education found in him a warm friend. He was loyal to his friends, devoted to his family and honorable in all business transactions and thus he left to his children an untarnished name. His political allegiance was given to the democracy and he served his fellow townsmen as supervisor for two terms and as assessor for several terms.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Rice were born eight children. Theresa Ann, who was born March 7, 1856, is the wife of Samuel J. Nevins and lives in California; Hannah F., born November 20, 1858, is the wife of John Dorch and lives in Hancock county, Illinois; Lydia May, who was born November 29, 1860, is the wife of William Bruffy and resides in Golden; Cyrus D., who was born June 21, 1863, married Maggie Hurdle, their home being in Hancock county; Bryttie, who was born November 7, 1865, became the wife of Edgar R. Strickler, a resident of Missouri, but she died January 16, 1902, leaving four daughters; Lawrence M., born September 15, 1869, is at home; George H., who was born September 21, 1872, married Myrtle Sammons, their home being in Houston township; Arthur W., who was born February 26, 1875, is living at home. The two sons at home are operating the farm for their mother. They are democrats in their political faith and both George and Lawrence are members of the Masonic fraternity, while Arthur is identified with the Odd Fellows lodge at Golden. The last named practically has charge of the farm and is engaged in the cultivation of the fields and the raising of stock, both branches of the businesses returning a good income. The farm comprises one hundred and thirty acres of rich and arable land, which is pleasantly and conveniently located within four and half miles of Golden, and is situated on sections 22 and 27, Houston township.

Mrs. Rice is a member of the United Brethren church. She has lived upon the old home farm since 1858 and has been a resident of the county for a half century, during which time a wonderful transformation has been wrought here in all the lines of business activity. She can recall many scenes and incidents of pioneer times and her memory forms a connecting link between the past, with its lack of improvements, and progressive present, when all sections of the county show every indication of an advanced civilization.