J W Rice

RICE, DRILL, STOOP, BAKER

Posted By: Deborah Barker (email)
Date: 9/5/2009 at 14:56:08

J.W. Rice, an early settler of this county, residing on section 32, Bloomington Township, was born in Ross County, Ohio, in 1829, and was fourth in a family of six children born to James and Rebecca (Drill) Rice, who were natives of Maryland. His father followed the occupation of milling in early life, but in later years engaged in farming. At an early day, accompanied by his wife, he removed to Ohio, where his death occurred several years ago. Mrs. Rice has also departed this life. Our subject was reared to farm life, and received his education in the district schools of Ohio. In Montgomery County, that State, in 1855, he was united in marriage with Harriet Stoop, a native of Pennsylvania, and a daughter of William and Lydia Stoop. Her parents removed to the Buckeye State, where they died some years ago. Five children have been born by th union of Mr. and Mrs. Rice: Alice who wedded George Baker, of Lake Township; Ida, wife of John Baker, who resides in Lake Township; Wilson, who is engaged in farming in Bloomington Township, north of Muscatine; Anna, and Hattie, who are at home. The children have all received good educational advantages, their studies in the district school having been supplemented by a course in the city schools of Muscatine, while Anna and Wilson have attended school in Iowa City. After their marriage, the young couple removed to Muscatine County, Iowa, in 1855, locating in Lake Township, then part of Bloomington, where Mr. Rice purchased 80 acres of uncultivated land. He lived upon a rented farm for a year, in the meantime clearing his land and erecting a house thereon. To his original purchase he has added from time to time, until he is now the owner of 550 acres of fine arable land, located in Lake and Bloomington Townships, upon which is a fine house and large barn. Many other useful and ornamental improvements have been made, and the land is now under a high state of cultivation. Each year Mr. Rice feeds from 100 to 150 head of cattle, and also gives considerable attention to the raising of Poland-China hogs and Norman horses, having a high-pedigree Norman stallion in his stables. He has always taken great interest in the affairs of the county, and has aided largely in its enterprises and advancement. He assisted in the organization of Bloomington Township, served as trustee while residing in Lake Township, and has also acted as a member of the School Board, and aided in the building of the school-houses in his township. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Lake Township, in which he holds the office of Trustee, and are numbered among the highly respected people of this county. -Muscatine County History - 1889, page 575