My Genealogy Hound

WASHINGTON I. RICE, an enterprising and progressive farmer of Chesterfield, was born there June 4, 1833, son of Lyman and Miranda (Taylor) Rice, both natives of the town. His paternal grandfather, Alvin Rice, was an early settler.

Lyman Rice was a blacksmith by trade, and in connection with this industry also carried on general farming, being an active worker until his demise, in April, 1870. His wife survived him until January, 1883, when she died on the old homestead. They were the parents of seven children, namely: Samuel Davis and another child, both of whom died in infancy; Samuel Davis, second, engaged in farming in Champaign County, Ill.; George T., a resident of Rice, Benton County, Minn.; Washington I., the subject of this sketch; Louisa L., wife of H. Bisbee, of Chesterfield; and Amasa C., who died when but two years of age.

Washington I. Rice ended his school life at the Westfield Academy. At the age of twenty-one years he assumed the management of the home farm, leaving his father to devote his entire time to his trade. On the death of his parents Mr. Rice bought the interest of the remaining heirs in the homestead property, which he has since conducted with the same success that characterized his previous management. The farm includes two hundred acres of land, which, under his efficient management, yields profitable harvests of corn, hay, and fruit.

Mr. Rice was united in marriage December 20, 1870, to Mrs. Martha S. (Sampson) Boulls, a daughter of Abner Sampson, formerly engaged in farming in the town of Chester, of which he was a lifelong resident. Of her union with Mr. Boulls Mrs. Rice had one child, Cora E., who married J. L. Clark, of Bridgeport, Conn. Mr. Rice is active in both social and political life. He is a stanch member of the Republican party. He has been a Selectman for nineteen years, for fifteen of them serving as chairman of the board. He has also been Assessor and Overseer of the Poor.