Person:Alfred Rice (3)

Alfred W Rice

A. W. RICE, of the firm of Rice & Floyd, dealers in lumber and building material. Opened the trade in 1870. It is the oldest established lumber yard in the city. Mr. Rice is largely interested in raising live stock. He has a stock ranch in Ottawa County, Kan., in company with other parties, where they expect to keep from 500 to 1,000 head of cattle. It is called Rice Stock Ranch. The firm is composed of John and Christian Johntz, A. W. And M. H. Rice, Mr. A. W. Rice is also largely interested in the Johntz & Rice Automatic Flouring Mills, which were erected in 1882 at a cost of $30,000. The mills are 36 x 60 feet, 64 feet high, with an elevating capacity of 25,000 bushels; grinding capacity, 150 barrels in 24 hours. They have the latest improved machinery, etc. Mr. Rice is vice-president of the First National Bank of Abilene, of which he is a stockholder. He has laid out two additions to the town site of Abilene. He was born in Erie County, N. Y., December 12, 1837. Parents moved to Boone County, Ill., 1848. Mr. Rice was Mayor of Abilene 1879-80. He first came to Abilene in March, 1870.


Reflector(w) 22 Jan 1925

b 12 Dec 1836 Erie Co, NY; mov to Boon co, Ill 1847;
m1 10 July 1862 in Ogle Co, Ill to Miss Annie Brown who d 1899 ; had 1 dau mov to Abilene 1870 and had lived here since; served 8 terms as mayor; m2 1902 Mrs Jane Crozier who d Mar 1917; m3 1918 Mrs E.B. Malott of A bilene; 1 granddau; 3 gr-granch; 1 bro; several relatives in Kans including a nephew J.A. Graves of Abilene.

Alfred William Rice.—To have accomplished so notable a work as has Mr. Rice in connection with municipal government would prove sufficient to give precedence and reputation to the most active citizen, were this to represent the sum total of his efforts; but Mr. Rice is a man of broad, mental ken, strong initiative, and distinct individuality, who, during a residence of more than forty years in the city of Abilene, has wielded a potential influence in her commercial development, and his activities have been of importance in other sections of the state.

Alfred William Rice was born at Collins, Erie county, New York, Dec. 12, 1836, son of Eli and Phoebe (Southwick) Rice, both of whom were natives of Rutland county, Vermont, and descended from early settlers of America. Eli Rice was a harnessmaker by trade and followed that calling in early life. He became a pioneer settler of Boone county, Illinois, in 1847, and engaged in farming. There, on his father's farm, the early life of Alfred W. Rice was passed, his educational advantages being limited to the district schools of that time, and the necessity of self-support permitting of but a short term each year. He began the career which has been such a substantial success when nineteen years of age, first buying a yoke of oxen on credit and taking a contract of breaking prairie land. On reaching his majority he purchased a farm of 160 acres in Ogle county, Illinois, mostly on credit, and the ensuing ten years were spent in breaking, fencing, tilling and, lastly, paying for it. In 1868 he removed to Chicago, where he became an interested principal in the firm of Southwick & Rice, wholesale lumber dealers, an uncle, Alfred Southwick, being the senior member. His aptitude for commercial affairs was quickly proven and he was sent to Kansas to open, at Abilene, then the most important point in the western part of the state, a retail yard, the firm style being Kuney, Southwick & Company, of which he was the junior member. In 1873 he disposed of his interest in this firm and purchased the lumber business of Little & Jenkins, which he conducted under his own name. The business developed rapidly, other yards were established, and he became the senior member and virtually the owner of the business operated in Ellsworth as Rice & Presney, in Great Bend as Rice & Brinkman, and in Abilene as Rice & Giles. He was also the owner of a yard in Russell, operated under his own name. During the latter '80s he disposed of his lumber interests, with the exception of the yard at Abilene, now operated by the Rice, Johntz & Nicolay Lumber Company, of which he is president. He is also president of the Rice-Johntz Lumber Company, of Downs, Kan., who own branch yards in Linn, Kan., and Bradley, Okla. In May, 1907, he organized the Abilene Wholesale Grocery Company and has served as president of it since its incorporation. He was one of the most active factors, in 1885, in the organization of The Citizens' Bank of Abilene and has served as vice-president since its establishment. This institution is regarded by the banking fraternity as one of the strong and most ably conducted banks of the state. It has a capital of $50,000, surplus of $15,000, undivided profits of $5,300, and deposits of $400,000. Mr. Rice is also a director in the Abilene Manufacturing Company and a large owner of improved business property within his home city. While Abilene owes much to Mr. Rice as one of the most active influences in her commercial development, the writer is persuaded that it is in connection with his services as mayor that her largest debt is due him. He has been honored by her citizens through election to this office on eight occasions, serving four terms of one year each, and four terms of two years. His administrations have been characterized by the enforcement of the prohibitory law, completion of the sewerage system, the building of a storm sewer at a cost of $20,000, and the paving of the business section of the city, in which some $75,000 was expended. The last named improvement was made possible only after bitter opposition by a large number of property owners had been overcome, and in which the well-trained business mind, diplomacy, and untiring energy of Mr. Rice had been severely taxed. It is justly due him to state that since the completion of this work his former opponents have admitted their viewpoint was in error and have commended his uncompromising stand for civic betterment. It is also conceded that his labors have resulted in the elevation of the moral tone of the city and conditions of far-reaching weight and strength have been established. His democracy while in office was unvarying, and no interested person was ever refused a hearing. His record as the chief executive teems with instances wherein he has conferred every concession consistent with strict integrity upon the wage-earner, capitalist, and corporations, alike. He has been a lifelong Republican.

Mr. Rice has been twice married, On July 10, 1862, he married Miss Annie, daughter of David Brown, a pioneer farmer of Ogle county, Illinois. She died in Abilene, Nov. 14, 1900, the mother of a daughter, Hattie, the wife of Edwin B. Malott, a well known druggist of Abilene. On Jan. 15, 1902, Mr. Rice married Mrs. Jane R. Crozier, daughter of Jonathan B. Jannis, a farmer of Quincy, Ill. She is a member of the Kansas Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, and is a lineal descendant of James Bunker, whose brother, Joseph, owned the field on which was fought the battle of Bunker Hill, in the war of the Revolution. Mrs. Rice is a woman of broad culture and has contributed a number of valuable writings to the Kansas State Historical Society on Dickinson county. Since becoming a resident of Abilene, in 1871, she has been continuously a member of some charitable organization and has been one of the most active forces in the benevolent work in Dickinson county.

Mr. Rice is in all respects a high type of the conservative, unassuming American, diligent in his various duties and commercial affairs and conscientious in all things. He is rich in the possession of a well earned popularity, in the esteem which comes from honorable living, and the affection that slowly develops only from unselfish works. He has been a member of the Presbyterian church since its establishment and an elder for many years, and has given liberally of time and money in its support.

Abilene, ED 32, Sheet 11A, Dwelling 267, Family 295, Lines 75-76, NARA microfilm publication T625, FHL microfilm 1820530

Abilene, ED 28, Sheet 15B, Dwelling 327, Family 335, NARA microfilm publication T623, FHL microfilm 1240478

Benton, Boone, Illinois

Abilene Ward 2, ED 32, Sheet 4B, Dwelling 95, Family 95, Lines 70-71, NARA microfilm publication T624, roll 437

Abilene, ED 66, Pg 41 (389A), Dwelling 187, Family 187, Lines 35-39, NARA microfilm publication T9, roll 379

Dissolution Notice

Abilene, Kas., Dec. 6, 1888.

The partnership heretofore existing between W. H. H. Bonebrake and A. W. Rice, under the firm name of Bonebrake & Rice, is this day dissolved by mutual consent. All debts, notes and accounts due the firm go to A. W. Rice. He also pays all debts of the firm.

W. H. H. BONEBRAKE
d1 w16-4 A.W. RICE

A Strong Company

The Abilene Mortgage company held its annual election of officers Tuesday afternoon. The reports showed the organization to be in a remarkably prosperous condition.

The following officers were re-elected: President, A W Rice; vice president, D R Gorden; secretary, M H Hewett; treasurer, T H Malott; manager, D W Jacoby; directors, John Johntz, W B Giles, D R Gordon, A W Rice, T H Malott, D W Jacoby, M H Hewett.

Delinquent Tax List - Enterprise

A W Rice, lts 30 32 bk 12
A W Rice, lts 24 bk 17
A W Rice, lts 17 19 bk 18
A W Rice lts 20 22 bk 18
A W Rice, balance of bk 36

- Thompson & McCoy's Add. to Abilene
A W Rice, e 30 ft lt 25, 2d st
A W Rice, 48x50 ft, 3dst

- Southwick & Augustine's Add.
A W Rice, lts 70 72, Elm st

- Rice & Bonebrake's Add.
Rice & Bonebrake, 1/2 lt 7 bk 6
A W Rice, bk 12

- Lebold's 1st Add to Abilene
A W Rice, all of lt 8 e of Mud creek, Vine st

- Kirby's Add. to Abilene
A W Rice, lt 13 bk 12
A W Rice, lt 20 bk 20

Good Men Named.

Republican Caucuses Select Worthy Candidates

Second Ward Caucus.

The Second Ward caucus met in City hall and selected W. S. Anderson for chairman; J.H. Niesley, secretary.

...

The following committee was appointed to look after complete registration: Mrs. Peters, Mrs. Ellison, Mrs. Hawk, Mrs. Glimpse, Mrs. Culbertson: Messrs. S.C. Mosher, S.J. Ellison, Richard Waring, A.W. Rice, W.C. Hill.

The Abilene Club Gives and Elegant Informal Reception to its Friends

The club is a wealthy organization and numbers among its 100 members most of the leading business men of Abilene. The officers are:

President, J.M. Fisher; first vice-president, C.H. Barker; second vice-president, D.R. Gorden; secretary and treasurer, J.B. Edwards. Directors, A.W. Rice, W.G. Cowles, F.L. Parker, J.H. Mahan, C.H. Lebold.

The Reflector Publishing Company.
John J. Cooper, President.
O.L. Moore, Vice, President.
Richard Waring, Secretary,
A.W. Rice, Treasurer.

Directors,
John J. Cooper, A.W. Rice
O.L. Moore, B.F. Nelson,
Richard Waring.

The Water Works Question.

Mr. Rice Issues an Exemplary Card Regarding It.

The following card regarding the interest of Mr. A.W. Rice, candidate for mayor, in the water works company is self-explanatory and needs no elaboration. It defines Mr. Rice's position and sets forth his connection with the matter. The card is:

A CARD.

To whom it may concern:--

As the public is interested in the water works question, I take this method to define my position in the matter. When the water works plant was sold some time ago my interest in the company, financially, ceased; but after the new company took hold, it was desired that Abilene should be represented in the office of directors, so Mr. Sterl and myself took one share each and were named among the directors. This is all the interest I have in the water works company, and if elected mayor I can most heartily pledge myself to the support of any measure that will give the people better water. I make this explanation because I am being charged with having large interests in the water works company, and I deem it no more than right that the people should know just how I stand in the matter. Respectfully,

A.W. Rice
Abilene, March 20, 1890.

Rootsweb Transcription

Bonebrake & Rice, Wholesale and Retail Hardware and Builders' Material. Estab. 1872. P. O., Abilene.

The Citizens' Bank. T. H. Malott, Cashier; M. H. Malott, Assist. Transacts a General Banking Business. Capital, $50,000. Surplus, $10,000. Directors, D. R. Gordon, John Johntz, A. W. Rice, Wm. B. Giles, T. H. Malott. Estab. 1885. P. O., Abilene.

Johntz & Rice Mill Co. Manufacturing Fancy Patent and Bakery's Flour. Gradual Reduction Process. Estab. 1882. P. O., Abilene.

Abilene Mortgage Co. A. W. Rice, President; D. R. Gorden, Vice-President. Director, W. B. Giles, John Johntz, D. R. Gorden, T. H. Malott, M. H. Hewett, D. W. Jacoby, A. W. Rice. Negotiators of Real Estate Mortgages and Municipal Bonds. Estab. 1886 P. O., Abilene.

[1]

The original town of Abilene was located on the north half of the northwest quarter of Section 21, Township 13, Range 2, east; but after it became established as a trading point for cattle, the town gave such promise of growth, that Thompson and McCoy's Addition was added in 1868, comprising the south half of the southwest quarter of Section 16, Township 13, Range 2, east; followed in 1869 by Southwick and Augustine's Addition; then Rice and Bonebrake's Addition; next Rice and Austin's Addition; next Fisher's Addition; next Kuney and Hodge's Addition, in 1870, and this put an end to the additions for several years.

Citizens' Bank,
Malott & Company,
Abilene, - - - Kansas.

Transacs a General Banning Business. No Limit to our Liability.

A.W. Rice D.R. Gordon
John Johntz W.B. Giles
and T.J. Malott.

T.H. Malott, Cashier.

Presyberian Offiers.

The annual congregational metting of the Presbyterian church last evening was fairly well attended and the reports submitted showed the church's affairs to be in a good condition. The following officers were elected: Elders - A.W. Rice, A.K. Perry, G.F. Worley, Geo. Merrill, A.S. Sherwood, R.M. White; trustees - Geo. Merrill, R.M. White, C.C. Wyandt, M.H. Hewett, A.W. Rice. The officers were instructed to invite Rev. E.D. Walker to fill the pulpit for the ensuing year, continuing his work here.

Civil Case: John Johntz, D R Gordon, A W Rice vs C A Gregory, J B Case, et al.