Biographical Sketch of Wesley S. Rice, Dallas County, Missouri

>From "History of Laclede, Camden, Dallas, Webster, Wright, Texas,
 Pulaski, Phelps & Dent Counties, Missouri, Published 1889, Goodspeed
 Publishing Company.

Transcribed by: Penny Harrell (Incog3678@aol.com)

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Wesley S. Rice ranks among the successful farmers of Dallas County,
MO., and was born in Hawkins County, East Tenn., March 23, 1834, his
parents being James S. and Frances (Harper) Rice, the father a native
of Tennessee and the mother of North Carolina.  They lived and died
in Claiborne County, Tenn., having reared a family of seven children,
five of whom are now living: Harper H., Calvin H., Wesley S., Mahala
L. and Roadman H.  Wesley S. Rice was reared on a farm in his native
State, and was there also educated, subsequently engaging in teaching
a portion of the time before the war.  In 1856 he and his brother,
Roadman H., immigrated with a family by the name of Dodson to Missouri,
coming in wagons, and only had $20 between them.  They settled in 
Dallas County, and during the summer were engaged in farm labor, and
in the winter attended school.  This they continued until 1858, when
Wesley S. crossed the plains and spent one summer at Pike's Peak, 
where he was engaged in gold mining.  He returned to Missouri in the
fall of that year, and resumed farming, and saved enough money to 
purchase eighty acres of land in 1859.  He purchased his present farm
in 1862, and by industry and good management has made some valuable
improvements on each, and is now considered one of the wealthy farmers
of the county.  He joined the Home Guards in 1861, and in January, 
1862, enlisted in the Missouri State Militia, Company A, as a Mountain
Ranger, but the ranks kept filling so fast that it was made the Four-
teenth Regiment.  He held the office of orderly-sergeant of his company
and was at the battles of Pea Ridge, Neosho, and several other minor
engagements.  In 1864 he re-enlisted in the veteran service, Company H,
Thirteenth Regiment, Missouri Cavalry Volunteers, and served on the 
plains against the Indians, being wounded and taken to Benton Barracks
Hospital, where he laid for two or three months.  He was mustered out
and discharged on April 27, 1866, and returned to the peaceful pursuit
of farming, which occupation has since received his attention.  He now
owns 540 acres of land, with about 150 acres under cultivation, and is
also engaged in stock buying and raising.  He has two fine orchards on
his farm which furnish them with various fruits.  He was married in 
1866 to Julia A., a daughter of Spencer and Rosanah J. (Benthall)
Dobson, natives of Tennessee, and early settlers of Dallas Co., MO.
Mr. and Mrs. Rice are the parents of ten children:  Luvernia F. (wife
of J.H. White), Rosa B. (deceased), Roadman B., Rosa T. (wife of I.C.
Killion), Christian B., Virginia A., Wesley W., Levi H., Oliver O.,
and Estella M.  Mrs. Rice is a member of the Primitive Baptist Church.
Mr. Rice is one of the progressive men of the county, having always
favored advancement.  His motto is "Onward and Upward" in internal
improvements, science, religion and education.  Knowing by personal
experience the great need of an education, he is endeavoring to give
to his children the benefits of at least the common schools.
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