Rice, Almon 1821 – 1903

RICE

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 5/22/2024 at 16:07:24

Source: Twice-A-Week Plain Dealer Apr. 3, 1903, FP, C6

Almon Rice Dead,
Another pioneer of northern Iowa died at his home in Orleans township, Tuesday, March 31, 1903, aged about 83 years. Mr. Rice was devoted to his friends, and always had an open purse to the deserving in need. His family being dead, for the past few years he had been much of the time living by himself on the farm, though at the time of his demise there was a family in the house with him. The PLAIN DEALER from its first issue in 1859 to the present time was sent to his address either at Bluffton or Cresco, and during all these years our relationship with him in a business and social way had been of the most friendly character, he seldom visiting Cresco without coming to the office for a few moments social chat. Thus one by one the most sacred ties are severed.

Source: Twice-A-Week Plain Dealer Apr. 7, 1903, FP, C7
OBITUARY.
RICE.
Almon Rice was born in Martinsburg, Lewis county New York, May 23, 1821, and died March 31,1903.
Mr. Rice passed the early part of his life in his native state and in 1856 came to Iowa. He was one of the earley{sic} pioneers that settled Orleans township, Winneshiek county, where he acquired a considerable amount of property by his well known business ability and economical habits. He always{s} enjoyed good health until the last year of his life when he began to feel the infirmities of age. His last sickness was of short duration lasting about a week. The funeral held at his home was well attended by his old friends and neighbors.
His nephews G. B. and Ebb Rice of Minnesota attended the funeral.

Source: Decorah Republican Apr. 2, 1903 Page 3 Col 4

OBITUARIES.
ALMON RICE.
Intelligence was received Tuesday afternoon of the death of this well known citizen of Bluffton township. We have no information as to the circumstances attending the event other than the fact that for months he has been failing in health, and quite rapidly since the last term of court, wherein he won out in a vexatious and very wearisome law suit. Mr. Rice was born in Lewis county, New York, in 1821 His youth was devoted to farming and in early manhood he engaged in the mercantile business in St. Lawrence county, New York. In land-office times he came to Iowa and invested heavily in realty, not intending to be¬ome a settler. But in the following spring (1857) he decided to come west and locate on land he had chosen along the township line between Orleans and Bluffton townships. One time he was the owner of a thousand acres and also possessed of a very large amount of personalty{sic} acquired through his land investments and an able management of his personal affairs. For thirty years he was a very influential citizen, an active member of the Republican party, and successful in every respect. He was a member of the board of supervisors, representing his township when the War of the Rebellion came, and was very effective in the local matters attached to the enlisting of troops. In the later years of his life trouble came to him in the form of losses of property and family disagreements, until finally by the death of his only son he was left a lonely old man, with no near friends and no blood descendants upon whom he could depend. He was a man of marked intelligence and excellent judgment in business and financial affairs, a warm friend where his liking was appreciated, and a public spirited citizen. In later years his financial losses were heavy but there must remain a handsome property that will, no doubt, be disposed of by will.

Oak Lawn Cemetery
 

Howard Obituaries maintained by Constance McDaniel Hall.
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