Rice, William A, 1905 Bio, Mesa County, Colorado http://files.usgwarchives.net/co/mesa/bios/ricewa.txt --------------------------------------- Donated March 2001 Transcribed by Judy Crook from the book: Progressive Men of Western Colorado Published 1905, A.W. Bowen & Co., Chicago, Ill. --------------------------------------- William A. Rice The statement is as true as it is old that death loves a shining mark, and such a mark was found in the demise of the late William A. Rice, of Grand Junction. He departed this life suddenly on April 12, 1901, of pneumonia, and a few days later was laid to rest in the Masonic cemetery on Orchard mesa, with every demonstration of popular esteem and affection. His useful life began in Dade county, Missouri, on November 30, 1846. His parents returned to their old home in Barren county, Kentucky, when he was less than a year old and there the father died in 1850. Soon after the mother moved again to Missouri with her four children. There William grew to manhood and received his education in the public schools and in a select school near Greenfield. Three years of his early manhood were passed in teaching school, and these were followed by eight in mercantile life in Newtonia, Missouri. In 1871 he was married to Mary Elizabeth Gover, of Stanford, Kentucky, and in 1881 moved to Canon City, this state, where he engaged in the lumber business with his brother, P.A. Rice. Two years later the firm of Rice Brothers moved to Grand Junction, where W.A. took charge of and built up the business, while P.A. manufactured lumber at his mills on Pinion mesa. In 1896 William withdrew from the lumber business and turned his attention to horticulture and stock raising. He was a man of sterling character and public spirit, ever ready to aid in every enterprise looking to the moral and material improvement of the community in which he lived. He was throughout life a consistent and serviceable member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church and for many years prior to his death was a valued officer thereof. He also belonged to the Masonic order and the Odd Fellows, in the latter standing especially high. A Prohibitionist in politics, he was recognized as the leader of that party in western Colorado, being its candidate for congress in 1894. Ever working for the elevation of his fellow man, it is doubtful if his influence for the promotion of every element of the general welfare of his section has ever been surpassed by that of any resident of the western part of the state. =================================================== Contributed for use by the USGenWeb Archive Project (http://www.usgenweb.org) and by the COGenWeb Archive Project USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access.