My Genealogy Hound

DAVID S. RICE, who is engaged in farming and stock growing in South Middleton township, Cumberland county, was born Jan. 5, 1836, in Adams county, Pa. He comes of Revolutionary stock, his grandfather, Daniel Rice, having served in the Revolutionary war. Daniel Rice was born in Northampton county, Pa., and moved to Adams County, settling near Bendersville. He was the father of five sons, Christopher, John, Daniel, Peter and Henry, all of whom are now deceased.

Peter Rice, father of David S., was born near Bendersville, Adams county, Pa., and received a common-school education in German and English. He was reared to farming on the old homestead, and followed that occupation all his life. He was twice married, first time at the age of twenty-one years, and the second time to Elizabeth Plank, also a native of Pennsylvania. There were four children by the first union and eight by the second, David S. being the third child by the second wife. The father was a member and very active worker in the Lutheran Church near Bendersville, and held almost all the offices in that congregation. He voted the Democratic ticket. His death occurred in May, 1861, and his wife passed away several years later.

David S. Rice grew to manhood on a farm in his native county, and there received a good common-school education, attending school up to the age of seventeen years. He then commenced to learn the blacksmith’s trade, and he also learned chainmaking, working at these trades until he enlisted for service in the Civil war. On Aug. 7, 1862, he enlisted in Company F, 15th Pa. Cavalry, and was given special work in the line of his trades, receiving an honorable discharge at the end of his term of enlistment. He held the rank of a non-commissioned officer. Since the war Mr. Rice has been engaged as a farmer and stock raiser, and has met with substantial success in that line, now owning the tract of ninety-six acres on which he makes his home. He is a man esteemed by all his associates, whether in business dealings or in private life.

In 1865 Mr. Rice was married to Miss Mary C. Royer, daughter of Benjamin Royer, a farmer, her parents both being natives of Pennsylvania and of German extraction. Four children have blessed this union, Benjamin Elmer, Emma E., Seth Edwin and Robert E., the last named born May 22, 1885; he is still with his parents, and attends school in Carlisle. The mother of this family holds membership in the Lutheran Church. Mr. Rice is, in political sentiment, a stanch Republican.