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Below is a family biography included in the Biographical Review Volume of Biographical Sketches of The Leading Citizens of Hampshire County, Massachusetts published by Biographical Review Publishing Company in 1896.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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LYMAN RICE, a lifelong resident and a prosperous farmer of Belchertown, was born there, September 29, 1812. His father, Horatio Rice, also a native of Belchertown, received a good common-school education, and, adopting agriculture as an occupation, purchased a farm in his native town about the year 1810. Here he resided for the remainder of his life. He married Elizabeth Allen, daughter of Edward Allen, of Belchertown. The five children that blessed their union were: Almena, Lyman, Elvira, Horatio, and Marcus. His wife died on November 22, 1822; and he passed away in 1871, aged eighty-four years.

Lyman Rice attended the public schools of his native town, where he became proficient in the common branches of study. He was reared to an agricultural life. Until he was twenty years old he resided at home, where he assisted his father upon the farm, thereby acquiring the practical knowledge necessary to make a successful farmer. He then purchased a small piece of property. Later he added to this until he had a farm of one hundred and twenty acres. It is situated in the southwestern part of the town. Under his wise management it has become very productive, and now yields him very satisfactory returns for his outlay.

Mr. Rice has been twice married. His first wife, whose maiden name was Nancy Bugbee, was a daughter of Nehimiah Bugbee. The ceremony was performed November 2, 1837. By this union he had two children, as follows: Sarah E., born August 23, 1838, now the wife of Samuel Allen; and Jennie C., born August 23, 1840. His second wife, Sophia A. Rice before marriage, daughter of John and Jerusha Rice, of Springfield, also became the mother of two children: Edward Lyman and George Allen. Mr. and Mrs. Rice are members of the Congregational church.

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This family biography is one of the numerous biographies included in the Biographical Review Volume of Biographical Sketches of The Leading Citizens of Hampshire County, Massachusetts published in 1896. 

View additional Hampshire County, Massachusetts family biographies here: Hampshire County, Massachusetts Biographies

View a map of 1901 Hampshire County, Massachusetts here: Hampshire County Massachusetts Map

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