 |
|
| FRANK G. RICE, farmer, sec. 5, Green Tp., was born in Burr Oaks, St. Joseph Co., Mich., Feb. 9, 1836, and is the son of Gershom and Sarah (Boyden) Rice. His father was a native of Massachusetts, and was a clothier in his native State. In came to Michigan in 1835 and engaged in farming, asn occupation he followed until 1883, when , having reached the age of 78 years, he retired. The mother was born in Vermont, and died in 1872. Mr. Rice remained with his father on the famr until 1862, when he enlisted in the 19th Mich. Inf., Co. E., and was in the service until the close of the war, receiving his honorable discharge June 25, 1865, at Washington, D.C. Following are the principal battles in which he was engaged: Thompson's Station, Resaca, New HOpe Church, Peach-Tree Creek, siege of Atlanta, seige of Savannah, etc., etc. He did not receive a bodily injury, but has a piece of a rebel shell that startled his peace of mind for a short ime and concentrated his thoughts upon the question of his personal security. He was taken prisoner March 5, 1863, and confined to Libby for a few days, being exchanged May 30, 1863. Mr. Rice is a member of the Union Prisoners of War Association of the State of Michigan, and was a delegate to the Convention. After his return he remained in St. Joseph County until the spring of 1867, when he came to Mecosta County , and worked for some time at the masons' trade at Big Rapids, after which he located on his present farm, containing 160 acres of land, with 70 acres under improvement. He was married at South Albion, Calhoun Co., Mich., April 19, 1866, to Almeda, daughter of Samuel W. and Sarah (Parsons) Hamilton. She was born Jan. 13, 1836, in Bellevue, Mich. Her parents were natives of Massachusetts, came to Michigan in 1835 and resided in Homer, Calhoun County, until their death , - that of the father occurring in 1851, and that of the mother in July 1864. Mr. and Mrs. Rice have four children: Boyden H., Jasper F., Frederick E. and Edward H. |