BIO: WILLIAM B. RICE, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania
   
  Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Joe Patterson
  OCRed by Judy Banja

  Copyright 2004.  All rights reserved.
  http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm
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  >From Biographical Annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania,
  Chicago: The Genealogical Publishing Co., 1905, pages 253-254
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  NOTE: Use this web address to access other bios:
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    WILLIAM B. RICE, who conducts a shoe store at No. 420 North West street,
  Carlisle, is one of the most respected residents of that place. He has been
  identified with its business interests for many years and has always borne
  the highest reputation for honor and integrity, whether in commercial
  transactions, or in any of the other relations of life.
    
    Mr. Rice was born April 27, 1834, in Saville township, Perry Co., Pa., and
  comes of an old family of that county. He is a grandson of Adam and Betsey
  Rice, the former of whom settled in Perry county at an early day, and both
  lived to advanced age. He was a wagonmaker by occupation. Joseph Rice, father
  of William B., was also a wagonmaker. He married Elizabeth Bird,
    
    254  CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
    
  and both died in Perry county, about five miles above New Bloomfield. They
  were members of the Reformed Church. Their family consisted of ten children,
  all but three of whom still survive.
    
    William B. Rice remained at the place of his birth until grown to manhood,
  and during boyhood attended the district schools, receiving a good practical
  education. When but thirteen years old he commenced to learn the shoemaker's
  trade, and in time started in the business for himself, at Linn's Mills,
  Perry county, where he remained until 1856. He then followed carpentering for
  a time, and later put up post fences, doing the boring by hand. In 1863 he
  entered the Union army for service in the Civil war, enlisting for ninety
  days in Company B, 202d P. V. I., in which he served one year. On his return
  from the army Mr. Rice located in Carlisle, Cumberland county, and bought a
  tract of land which he farmed for a time, finally embarking again in the shoe
  business. For three years he was located on South Pitt street, thence moving
  to Main street, where he continued to do business for twenty-five years. At
  the end of that period he sold out and moved to Washington, D. C., where he
  bought a home and resided for several years, until after the death of his
  wife, which occurred in Washington in 1899. Mr. Rice then returned to
  Carlisle, where he has since carried on his present store, in which he has
  met with the success which attended all his business ventures. However, he
  has deserved all his prosperity, for he is hard-working, and an excellent
  manager,- and he neglects nothing which might contribute to the good of his
  business or the accommodation of his patrons.
    
    Mr. Rice was married in Perry county, about 1856, to Alvina Keck, who was
  born there, daughter of Daniel and Lydia (Dick) Keck, and two children
  blessed this union Elmira Jane is the wife of William Wagner, of Carlisle;
  Kieffer E. married Miss Catherine Masonhamer, and also resides in Carlisle.
  Mrs. Rice was a member of the Reformed Church, to which her husband also
  belongs. He is a Republican in political sentiment, but not active in party
  matters or public affairs of any kind.