BIO: Charles L. Rice, Wyoming Conference, Methodist Episcopal Church, PA & NY

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by 
Judy Banja & Denise Phillips

Copyright 2007.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
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Chaffee, Amasa Franklin. History of the Wyoming 
Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
New York: Eaton & Mains, 1904, pages 235-236.
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  RICE, CHARLES LANE, was born on October 22, 1827, in Trucksville, 
Kingston township, Luzerne County, Pa.  His father, Rev. Jacob Rice, 
was one of the old-time local preachers, who was well known throughout 
the Wyoming Valley.  The Lane in his name was in honor of Rev. George 
Lane, at one time one of the Book Concern agents, with whom his father 
was very intimate.  He was converted in December, 1838, in the 
schoolhouse on the line between Plymouth and Kingston, about one half 
mile west of his home.  Rev. William Round was conducting the service.  
Very early in life he became convinced that he should become a 
preacher.  He was the youngest of eight children.  His oldest brother, 
John P., was a local preacher for many years.  He attended the common 
school until Wyoming Seminary opened in 1844.  He entered with the 
first class.  After fall and winter terms were over he worked on the 
farm during the summer.  In the winter of 1845-46 he again secured two 
terms' work in the seminary, working in the summer as before.  In the 
fall of 1846 he taught school in Columbia County, Pa., after which he 
again went back to the seminary.  This time he taught in the primary 
department and carried on his studies in the school.  In the winter of 
1847 he taught school below Wilkes-Barre, near Mountain Top.  In 1848-
49 he was a part of the time on the farm, and a part of the time in the 
seminary.  In the fall of 1849 he was sent as supply to Mount Pleasant 
and Bethany Circuit, Rev. J. D. Safford being the preacher in charge.  
He had received exhorter's license in 1847, and local preacher's 
license was given him while supplying the above-named charge.  In 1850 
he joined the Oneida Conference, becoming a member of this Conference 
at its organization.
  On September 21, 1852, he married Miss Ann Louise Wells, at the 
residence of her uncle, Cyrus W. Bard, in Springville, Pa.  She passed 
away on September 22, 1902.
  He was a liberal contributor to the Church papers, and especially the 
Northern Christian Advocate, upon the early days and men of our 
Conference.  He had a decidedly poetic temperament, and wrote many 
commendable poems, some of which were published.
  After retiring from active work, he resided in Cortland, N.Y., with 
his daughter, Mrs. N. H. Gillette, where he died on May 23, 1903.  He 
was buried in Cypress Hill Cemetery, Brooklyn, N.Y., beside his wife, 
who was laid to rest a few months before.
  His pastorates have been as follows:  1849, Bethany and Mount 
Pleasant (supply); 1850, Lackawaxen; 1851-52, Springville; 1853, 
Newton; 1854-55, Northmoreland; 1856-57, Hawley; 1858-59, Waymart; 
1860, Carverton; 1861-62, Plymouth; 1863-64, Dunmore; 1865-66, Waymart; 
1867-69, sd.; 1870-82, sy.; 1883-85, Paupack; 1886-88, North Fenton and 
New Ohio; 1889-92, Lanesboro; 1893, Union Center; 1894, Oak Street, 
Binghamton; 1895-1902, sd.