Benton County ArArchives Biographies.....Rice, C. M. 
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Robert Sanchez http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00027.html#0006574 June 15, 2009, 3:27 pm

Author: S. J. Clarke (Publisher, 1922)

C. M. RICE.
    C. M. Rice, a member of one of the pioneer families of Arkansas, has long
occupied a position of prominence at the bar of Bentonville and has also served
as mayor of the town. He was born in McMinn county, Tennessee, September 5,
1859, a son of Charles W. and Julia A. (Cobb) Rice, who were also natives of
that state. They were married in Tennessee and in 1859 came to Arkansas,
locating at Pea Ridge. The father became the owner of a large farm in that
section, on which he and his wife spent their remaining years. They were members
of the Methodist Episcopal church and he was identified with the Masonic order,
holding membership in the chapter. He was a democrat in his political views and
in an early day served as circuit clerk of Benton county. He was a widely known
and highly esteemed resident of his community, being numbered with the pioneer
settlers of Arkansas whose labors were resultant factors in the development and
upbuilding of the state. Mr. and Mrs. Rice became the parents of thirteen
children, of whom eight are living, the subject of this review being one of the
younger members of the family. R. S. and C. A. Rice are prominent physicians of
Rogers, this state, and Roland, W. C. and M. B. Rice are successful business men
residing in Benton county.

    In the acquirement of an education C. M. Rice attended the schools of Benton
county, after which he became a student in the State University of Michigan at
Ann Arbor, from which he was graduated with the class of 1886, on the completion
of a law course. Returning to Arkansas, he opened an office in Bentonville in
1887 and here has since engaged in professional work, his ability being attested
in the large clientage accorded him. He has been admitted to practice in all the
courts and is now serving as president of the examining board of the supreme
court of the state. In a profession where advancement depends upon individual
merit and ability he has gradually worked his way upward, his success coming to
him because of his close reasoning, his logical argument, his correct
application of legal principles and his ability to present his contention in the
strongest possible light.

    In 1885 Mr. Rice was married to Miss Martha Ragan, who was born near
Petersburg, Illinois. Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Ragan, were natives of
Virginia and in the '70s they became residents of Arkansas, and died in Benton
county. Her paternal grandfather, John H. Ragan, lived to a very advanced age,
being one hundred and four years old at the time of his demise. Mr. and Mrs.
Rice have become the parents of five children: Russell, the eldest in the
family, has been connected with government work since 1916 and is now occupying
the position of finance clerk at Camp Pike, near Little Rock, Arkansas; Ethel
Anderson is a teacher in the schools oŁ Oklahoma; Jefferson Randolph was
educated in the grammar and high schools of Bentonville, after which he pursued
a law course in the State University of Arkansas, and is now associated in
practice with his father; Phillip pursued a course in electrical engineering at
the Arkansas State University, standing at the head of his class, and is now
manager for a large electrical plant at Rochester, New York. During the World
war he entered the British army as a volunteer and was subsequently transferred
to the American forces. His term of service covered two years, during which he
participated in all of the major engagements of the war; Paul, who was also in
the service of his country, became ill in camp and has not yet entirely regained
his health.

    Mr. and Mrs. Rice are members of the Baptist church and fraternally Mr. Rice
is identified with the Masons, holding membership in the lodge. He is a stanch
democrat in his political views and takes an active interest in the welfare and
success of the party but has never been an aspirant for public office, although
he has been called upon to serve as mayor of Bentonville and was also president
of the school board, making a most creditable record in both connections. He has
always been loyal to any trust reposed in him and puts forth every possible
effort for the benefit and upbuilding of his community, county and state, doing
effective service for the public good, while in his law practice whatever he
does is for the best interests of his clients and for the honor of the profession.


Additional Comments:
Citation:
Centennial History of Arkansas
Volume II
Chicago-Little Rock: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company
1922


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