Articles from the "Medina County Gazette" on Rice Reunions

Obtained from Frank G. Munz, of the Chatham Historical Society

Dec. 31, 1999 , with additions copied by Lynne Rice from other papers

Sept 3, 1885 Chatham News

The reunion of the Rice Family was held at the old homestead near Wooster. This farm is the one upon which the family settled when they first came to Ohio. The time was passed pleasantly in talking of "ye olden time" and enjoying the good things prepared for the inner man. The following Chathamites attended: Curt Brinker, Jake Garver and wife, John Garver and wife, Dan Garver, Lou Miller and wife, Dan Rice and wife, and others whose names we failed to obtain.

Article from "The Jacksonian," Wooster, Ohio, page 4; Sept. 3, 1885

Reunion of the Rice Family

Many of the descendants of Frederick Rice, one of the earliest pioneers of this county, held their second reunion last Thursday in the beautiful grove of D. R. Firestone, south of, and in full view of the city of Wooster. This grove is on the old homestead, the farm on which Mr. Rice settled as early as 1815, which he and his sons cleared up and where he continued to reside until his death. By 12 o'clock one hundred or more, nearly all descendents of, or connections of Mr. Rice, some of them from Indiana and Illinois, others from Medina and Ashland counties, had assembled in the grove, some of the little children being of the fifth generation. After dinner, for which the ladies had come prepared with well filled baskets, the President of the Association, S. P. Rice called the meeting to order, the minutes of the meeting of last year were read by the secretary, S. L. Rice. In compliance with a resolution of last year's meeting Mrs. O. M. Albright, Corresponding Secretary, had prepared the following condensed history of the Rice Ancestry which was then read by her daughter, Miss Clara B., the reading of which was admirably done in clear and distinct tones of voice, was listened to with marked attention by the audience.

Family History

The first knowledge we have of this family, whose descendants are many and which we are able to trace back for seven or eight generations, is rather indefinite. We only know they came to this country while it was yet a forest. A family of four, father, mother, and two sons, George and Barnhart. They came from Wittenburg, Germany, and settled in the colony of Pennsylvania. We do not know the date of their immigration, when they left their fatherland for the rude pioneer life of the unbroken wilderness.

We have no further record of the parent. George, one of the sons was killed in 1755 in "Braddock's Defeat" during the French and Indian war. Barnhart married and settled in Bethlehem, Northampton Co, PA. He had three children, two daughters and a son. When Frederick the son was thirteen years of age the family moved to Westmoreland county, PA. At the age of nineteen (should be 21) he entered the Continental Army. After serving in the regular army about two years, he joined Brady's (Berry's) and remained with him until the close of the war. While in the regular army he fought at the battle of Trenton where Washington captured the 1000 Hessians. While serving with Berry he led an expedition for the recovery of two white children who had been taken captive by the Indians and was successful. He was married at the age of twenty-three to Catherine Laufer of Westmoreland county, PA. They had thirteen children, two of whom died in infancy, and of whose births we have no record. We give the names of the others in the order in which they were born: Christina, Barnhart, Elizabeth, Frederick, Christian, John, Peter, Catherine, Simon, Susan and Henry.

He erected a mill three miles south of Greensburg, PA and followed the occupation of miller until his oldest son, Barnhart became old enough to take charge of the mill. He was a wonderful hunter, and the greater part of his time was spent in that, to him, delightful occupation. His game was not always the animals of the forest, but not infrequently the Indian proved a mark for his unerring aim.

In the spring of 1815 he moved to Ohio with his wife and three youngest children, and settled one mile south of Wooster on the farm now owned by David R. Firestone. His wife died many years previous to his death. He spent the remainder of his life here on the farm with his son Simon. He died January 23, 1851 at the age of 94 years 3 months and 23 days. His last request was the administration of the Lord's Supper by Rev. S. C. Cline, pastor of the German Lutheran Church, of which he was an active member, in the presence of three of his sons and their wives.

May we, as grandchildren of this noble man, follow his Christian example in such a manner that in the world above, we may reunite an unbroken family.

The following officers for the ensuing year were then elected President - John Rice of Medina County; Vice president - Henry Rice of Huntington, Indiana; Secretary - S. L. Rice of Red Haw, Ashland County; Corresponding Secretary - Miss Clara B. Albright, Wooster; Treasurer - Frederick Rice, New Pittsburg. The following were appointed a committee on music for the meeting next year. L. Z. Hizer, Stephen Miller, Aaron Buffamyer, Misses Stella Albright, Susan Rice, Susie Miller and Anna Pocock.

On motion of William Miller, it was voted that the meeting of next year be held at the farm of Frederick Rice near New Pittsburg. John Rice moved that the meeting next year be held on the 29th day of September, it being the anniversary of the birth of Frederick Rice, the pioneer, which was agreed to. Mr. A. H. Byers who was present made a few remark, followed by Rev. G. M. Heindel, in a brief but very interesting and appropriate address. On motion of D. R. Firestone, the Secretary was instructed to present a copy of these proceedings to the news papers of Wooster, Medina and Ashland and request their publication.

After singing those beautiful lines, "In the sweet by and by" by four young ladies and gentlemen, the company dispersed at a late hour in the afternoon to their various homes. S. L. Rice, Secretary

Aug. 22, 1901

The Rice reunion was held at Curtis Brinker's.

Sept 14, 1902 The Rice Family Reunion

The 19th annual reunion of the Rice family was held at the home of Joseph Rice at Lodi, Aug. 21, 1902. The forenoon was spent in a friendly hand-shake and visiting until the hour of noon arrived and dinner was announced. The tables groaned under their load of viands for the inner man. Two hundred and thirty-five sat down to dinner. Afterward, the acting president called the family to order. The first thing on the programme was a song followed by a prayer by Rev. McDowell, of Lodi. The minutes of the last meeting were read by the secretary, followed by a song and an address of welcome by Miss Rice. Miss Dague of Risley next read a history of the Rice family during the past year as follows:

The first reunion of the Rice family was held in Wooster at the home of David Firestone in 1883. Aunt Margaret Miller, first to mention the organization, is now one of our most worthy members. During the 19 years that have rapidly passed, there have been many changes. Those who have passed away during the previous year are Alonzo Miller, of Spencer, who died New Year's Day 1902. He left a wife one daughter and three sons beside a large concourse of friends to mourn his loss. Mrs. Arlo Firestone died at her home in Shiloh, July 18. She leaves a husband and one child besides a host of friends and relatives. Mrs. John Boyd of Mansfield died July 17. Mrs. Boyd was Malinda Rice, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Simon Rice, born on a farm not far from the site of Experiment Station, 56 years ago. The two children of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Spade: Mildred died, April 27, 1902, aged 4 yrs, 2 months; Ova Lod, died, Aug 4, aged 4 months, 14 days. Mrs. Hannah Rice died at her home in Chatham, May 26. She leaves a husband and six children, three boys and three girls.

The births are as follows: to Mr. and Mrs. Ed Brown, June 1, a boy; to Mr. and Mrs. Newton Garver, Apr. 10, a boy; to Mr. and Mrs. Frank Miller, June 26, a boy; to Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Shorley, Jan. 8 a boy.

Those who have chosen their companions for life are Miss Alice Snader married to Walter Major, March 4; Miss Clara Dague, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Marettus Dague was married to Rev. Charles Castle, Aug. 5; Miss Lynda Barnhart was married to Irvin Elbert, Aug. 7.

The following officers were elected for the ensuing year: president, John Garver of Chatham, secretary John….(remainder of article not copied)

Sept. 2, 1904

The annual reunion of the Rice family was held at Martteus Dague's in Chatham, Thursday, Aug. 18. There were 215 in attendance, and a general good time was had. Quite a goodly number of this family were not present on account of sickness and other unavoidable causes. The day was very pleasant and everybody was happy. A hearty handshake and visit, a sumptuous dinner and enjoyable program for which Rev. C. D. Castle and wife furnished the music and Rev. Castle delivered the welcome address. After the treat of watermelon, came thoughts of home. Mr. Dague's home is an ideal place for such a gathering, both in spirit and convenience. Next year this family reunion, which grows in interest as the years pass, will meet at the home of Mr. Eshelman of Spencer.

After Aug. 20, 1931 - Clipping saved by Verda Rice, paper not listed

The forty-eighth annual reunion of the Frederick Rice family was held Aug. 20th, 1931 at Rice's Dam, four miles north, and two miles west of Lodi. For a number of years this annual event has been held at Wooster, the ancestral home, and in the vicinity of which a large number of the descendents of the original ancestor still reside. Last year it was decided to hold the reunion in Medina county, where also there are living a considerable number of this pioneer family.

Altogether 135 relatives set down to dinner.

It was unanimously agreed that the same officers should hold over another year, which are as follows:

C. S. Rice, president

Frank Miller, vice president

Dora Mishler, secretary

Grace Weidenhamer, assistant secretary

Ethel Garver, Corp. secretary

Lincoln Piper, treasurer

Arrangements committee: Ned Fuller, Harvey Browand, C. S. Rice.

The chairman and host, C. S. Rice, then called upon some of the guests to offer a few remarks, all of which were well received by an appreciative audience. Those speaking were John C. Rice, of Canton, Newton Garver of Youngstown, Jacob Rice of Huntington, Ind., and John E. Rice of Lodi. It was then decided to hold the reunion the following year at the same place.

Some members of the old generation, Aaron Boffenmyer, Peter Firestone, Jacob Firestone and Jacob Rice made a thorough inspection of the premises, showing unusual interest in the old dam which was built in 1835 by Philip Rice.

The Rice family is a pioneer family, the original ancestor, Frederick Rice, having been born in Pennsylvania in the year 1753, of German parentage. This sturdy pioneer took part in many battles with the Indians, and also fought all through the Revolutionary War, served under Washington in the historic battle of Trenton. The Revolutionary soldier spent most of his life in Pennsylvania, always in a frontier community, where he followed the milling business. In 1821 Frederick Rice purchased from the government the land south of Wooster where now the Experiment Station is located. The old brick house on this farm was built by his hands, while the large stone house was erected by his son, Barnhart. From this point the descendants have gone out into the various sections of the country, and now number several hundred people.

- This page contributed by Mrs. Richard (Lynne) Rice, 2000 Frederick Rice Family Committee Member.