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Ruth Edgerton, daughter of Joseph and Candace (Rice) Edgerton.

William Rice, son of Aaron and Lonia (Thompson) Rice.

Children:

1. Elvira, b. December 10, 1835; Brecksville, Cuyahoga Co., OH.
2. William Parker, b. January 12, 1837; Brecksville, Cuyahoga Co., OH.
3. Moses, b. December 11, 1839; Brecksville, Cuyahoga Co., OH.
4. Ruth, b. August 9, 1841; Brecksville, Cuyahoga Co., OH.
5. Lona, b. August 10, 1844; Brecksville, Cuyahoga Co., OH.
6. Theoda, b. September 16, 1846; Brecksville, Cuyahoga Co., OH.

Thomas B. Rowan

The following data on the family and descendants of William Rice and Ruth Edgerton has been provided by Nancy Luther, who is descended through their eldest son, William Parker Rice.  Our thanks are extended to Ms. Luther for sharing her extensive and well-documented research on this branch of the family.

WILLIAM RICE, son of Aaron II and Lonia (Thomson) Rice, was born 4 March 1798 in Charlemont, Franklin County, Massachusetts.  (From Cuyahoga county Ohio History, Brecksville, Page 412 – “In 1813 Aaron, with a large family, moved from Franklin county, Massachusetts, to the south-western part of the township.  He had seven sons, named Silas, Aaron, Seth, William, Moses, Myron, and Peter, and three daughters.  His son-in-law, Ebenezer Rice, came soon after.  The latter had three sons, named Dexter, Ebenezer and Aiken Rice.”)

William Rice married Ruth Edgerton on 18 October 1832 by William G. Green, Justice of the Peace in Cuyahoga County, Ohio (marriage record, volume 3, page 66).  Marriage license application, (from Index to marriage License Applications of Cuyahoga County February 1829 - August 1851, volume 1, page 376) was taken out on 15 October 1832.  Ruth (Edgerton) Rice, daughter of Joseph and Candice (Rice) Edgerton, was born 5 June 1812 in Brecksville, Cuyahoga County, Ohio.  William Rice died 26 October 1847 in Brecksville, Cuyahoga County, Ohio.  In Rice Cemetery, now known as Barr Cemetery there is a tombstone marked as follows:  “William Rice, died October 26, 1847, age 49 years, 8 months”.

Ruth Edgerton Rice then married Thomas B. Rowan 14 August 1849 (Cuyahoga Marriage Index, volume 0004, page 0555).  Marriage License states:  State of Ohio, Cuyahoga County, I hereby certify, that on the 14 day of August A.D. 1849, I duly solemnized the Marriage Contract between the said Thomas B. Rowan and Ruth Rice, Brecksville.  Signed by G. N. Oakes, J. P.  In Massachusetts Pioneers to the West Index (page 28) is written: “Edgerton, Ruth, m. 1820 William Rice of O. and Thomas Rowan. Genesee Port., 1949.”   In Rice Cemetery (now known as Barr Cemetery), there is a tombstone marked as follows:   “Ruth Rice Rowan 1812-1884 Mother”.

CHILDREN:

1.       ELVIRA RICE RICHARDSON.  Elvira Rice, daughter of Ruth Edgerton and William Rice was born 10 December 1835 Brecksville, Cuyahoga County, Ohio.  Elvira married William Richardson on 30 November 1848  (Cuyahoga Marriage Index, volume 4, page 517).  Per marriage record:  State of Ohio, Cuyahoga County,  I hereby  certify, that on the 30th day of November A. D. 1848, I duly solemnized the marriage Contract between the said parties (Wm. Richardson to Elvira Rice) Brecksville.  G.N. Oakes, Justice of Peace.

2.       WILLIAM PARKER RICE born 12 January 1837 Brecksville, Cuyahoga County, Ohio married Clara B. Erswell 1 November, 1857, Cuyahoga County, Ohio, volume 9, page 27 died 16 March 1906 Appleton City Missouri buried Oak Hill Cemetery, North Freedom, Sauk County, Wisconsin.

3.       MOSES RICE born 11 December 1839 Brecksville, Cuyahoga County, Ohio.

4.       RUTH RICE born 9 August 1841 Brecksville, Cuyahoga County, Ohio.

5.       LONA RICE born 10 August 1844 Brecksville, Cuyahoga County, Ohio

6.       THEODA RICE BARR.  Theoda Rice, daughter of Ruth Edgerton and William Rice, was born 16 September 1846 Brecksville, Cuyahoga County, Ohio.  Theoda Rice married James H. D. Barr on 27 May 1866 (see Cuyahoga County Marriage Index, volume 0012, page 0312.)  Marriage license states:   The State of Ohio, Cuyahoga County, I certify that on the 27 day of May 1866 Mr. James H. D. Barr and Miss Theodico Rice were by me legally joined in marriage. Signed by Thomas Fowler.  James H. D. Barr, son of Jane and John Barr, was born 1845 in North Royalton, Cuyahoga County Ohio.  From Ohio Census 1790 -1890, in 1870 James Barr, Cuyahoga County, Ohio, Brecksville, page 024.   James H. D. Barr died in 1894 in Hudson, Summit County, Ohio.

111-1          WILLIAM PARKER RICE

William Parker Rice, son of William and Ruth (Edgerton) Rice, was born 12 January 1836 in Brecksville, Cuyahoga County, Ohio.  William P. Rice married Clara Betsy Erswell on 1 November 1857 in Cuyahoga County, Ohio.  (According to Cuyahoga County Archives, they were legally joined in Marriage by Lester Miles, Volume 9 Page 27).  Clara Betsy Erswell, daughter of Charles Edward Erswell and Mary Ann (Snow) Erswell, was born 2 January 1835 in New York City.  William P. Rice enlisted in the 166th Ohio National Guard in September 1864 and was honorably discharged in December of that same year.  In February of 1867 the family moved to Hill Settlement, Sauk County, Wisconsin for four years.  Then the family relocated to a farm south of North Freedom, Wisconsin, which was home until the fall of 1905.  William, accompanied by his wife, moved to Appleton City, Missouri.  William P. Rice contracted pneumonia which later resulted in his death.  William P. Rice died in Appleton City, Mo. on 16 March 1906, aged 70 years, 2 month and four days.  The funeral services were conducted at the M.E. Church by Rev. C. Cunningham and burial taking place in Oak Hill Cemetery, Sauk County, Wisconsin (taken from Obituary).

“Clara Betsy (Erswell) Rice, at the age of 85 years, 9 months, and 19 days, died Thursday, 21 October 1920, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. S. P. Ellas.  C. B. Rice has resided for many years with her daughter, Rosa Ellas.  Clara Betsy (Erswell) Rice was one of the old settlers of this locality coming to Wisconsin in 1865.  The funeral was held in the S. P. Ellas home Saturday afternoon at two o’clock, Rev. W. M Philpot officiating and Clara is buried beside her husband, William P. Rice in the Oak Hill Cemetery.”  This according to the Reedsburg Times Press.  There is a large grave stone in Oak Hill Cemetery, North Freedom, Wisconsin.

Beside this stone is a stone                                                       

CHILDREN:

111-11        Cora Bell Rice, b - 28 July 1858, d - 30 Sept.  1946.

111-12        Nellie Ann Rice, b - 30 November 1859, d - 2 June 1936.

111-13        Rosa Dell Rice, b - 22 November 1861, d - 2 August 1941.

111-14        William Harry Rice, b - 15 January 1864, d - 2 March 1942.

111-15        Orson Edward Rice, b - 9 November 1869, d - 10 May 1934.

111-11        CORA BELL RICE

Cora Bell Rice, daughter of Clara Betsy (Erswell) and William P. Rice, was born 28 July 1858 in Ohio.  Cora was one of four Rice children that left Ohio in 1867 to settle in North Freedom Wisconsin with her parents.  Cora Bell Rice married John L. Richardson, son of Sylvanus Richards.  John L. Richardson (also known as John Kingsland) was born 1849 and died by accidental drowning at Four Corners (intersection of Babbs’s Creek and the Baraboo River) on 6 January 1890.  On the tombstone is the name of William J. Richardson  1879 - 1 August 1889.  William J. Richardson, son of Cora Bell (Rice) and John L. Richardson, was killed in a horrible fatal accident of a pitchfork falling and penetrating his bowels.  Cora Bell (Rice) Richardson  married Thomas Thornton Babb on 26 March 1892 and lived in Reedsburg Wisconsin.  Thomas T. Babb, one of  five children  of Philip Henry and Hannah (Thornton) Babb was born 5 June 1860 in the house that his grandfather built in 1845-46 with the help of the Indians.  Thomas Babb was killed instantly while riding  in a lumber wagon which was struck by the northbound passenger train on the Chicago and North Western Rail Road (St. Paul limited train) on died 4 October 1908.  Philip Babb’s parents, James Wilson and Rebecca (Scarff)  Babb, brought the family from Greene County, Ohio to Sauk County, Wisconsin in 1846.  Point of interest - The train track has been changed into a 400 trail, a hiking, biking and snowmobile trail. (per Marcia Kent of Reedsburg, WI. Dated 9/10/2000.)  From the Reedsburg Free Press, 15 September 1910, Mr. Embridge Hall  and Mrs. Cora Babb were married in Neillsville on Monday 5 September 1910.  They came to Reedsburg and spent several days with relatives here and in North Freedom.  Then they returned the first of the week to their home in Greenwood, Wisconsin.  The Free Press joins with their many friends in wishing them much happiness and prosperity.  At the time of her brother Orson’s death in 1934 she was  married to Charles Catlin of Reedsburg Wisconsin.  Cora Bell Rice Richardson Babb Catlin died 30 September 1946 at the age of 88.  Cora fell and broke her hip three weeks before and was in Municipal Hospital.  Funeral was conducted at the Bartlett Funeral Home with Rev. G. S. Joslin, Merrimac, officiating and she is buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Reedsburg, Sauk County, Wisconsin.

CHILDREN:

111-111     Claude Richardson, of Reedsburg, married Vernie Erswell.

111-112     Stella Richardson Babb, of Reedsburg, b - 31 March 1877, m - John Scarf Babb.

111-113     William Richardson, b - 1879  d - 1 August 1889.

111-114     Thomas Harry Babb, of Denver, b - 21 October 1893, m - 11 August 1918, d - 19 February 1967 Reedsburg, Wi, Went by name of Harry.

111-12        NELLIE ANN RICE

Nellie Ann Rice, daughter of Clara Betsy (Erswell) and William P. Rice, was born in Royalton, Cuyahoga County, Ohio on 30 November 1859.  It was said that Nellie’s English family landed near Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1638 and settled in Worcester Mass.  Nellie Ann Rice, one of five children was raised by English Methodist parents in North Freedom Wisconsin.  Nellie Ann Rice married George Foster in November 1882, according to Cuyahoga County Probate Court marriage Index (Volume 26, page 0009, page match 34).  George Foster was born on 26 June 1850 near Windsor, Nelson Township, Ontario, Canada.  George grew up on a farm with his English born Episcopalian parents in London, Ontario, Canada.  George and Nellie Foster first lived in the Gates Mills and Independence, Ohio area, according to the 1900 Cuyahoga County, Ohio Federal Census.  George worked in a grist mill in Gates Mills.  They moved to Waynesburg, Ohio area in December 1900.  According to 1910 Ohio Census Miracode Index, George (age 59) and Nellie (age 50) were living in Waynesburg, Stark County, Ohio, with children: Ralph (age 24), Bertha B. (age 23), Harry R. (age 19), and Edith M. (age 12).  Eventually they moved into the Canton, Ohio, 1229 Minerva Court, area until his death on 19 March 1931.  Nellie Ann (Rice) Foster died  1 June 1936 and is buried in the Forest Hill Cemetery in Canton, Ohio beside her husband.

CHILDREN:

111-121     Howard Leonard Foster, b 24 August 1883, d - 7 November 1956, married Della Mae Gibbs, 4 August 1903.

111-122     Ralph Burrell Foster, b - 5 June 1885, d - 5 November 1926, Mary Laura Welker,  4 September 1910  (my line).

111-123     Bertha Belle Foster, b - 18 November 1886, d - 11 April 1987, married Joseph E. Wagner,  8 May 1917.

111-124     George Lee Foster, b - 13 December 1889, d - 5 July 1966, married Ida K. Hoyle, 11 December 1912.

111-125     Harry Rice Foster, b - 11 May 1891, d - 5 February 1991, married Pauline Hall, 9 September 1920.

111-126     Edith May Foster, b - 8 February 1898, d - 30 March 1969, Howard Stone, 7 July 1934.

111-13        ROSA DELL RICE

Rosa Dell Rice, daughter of Clara Betsy (Erswell) and William P. Rice, was born  22 November 1861 (according to 1900 Wisconsin Census, Rosa was 37 and was born in 1863.)  Rosa Dell, one of four children born in Ohio, moved with her parents to Wisconsin in 1867.  She married  Stacy P. Ellas on 9 September 1884 in Baraboo Wisconsin by the Rev G.W. L. Brown (per the Baraboo Republic dated 24 September 1884 page 5.)  Stacy P. Ellas, born February 1857 and originally from Ohio, was a sawmill operator at the time of the 1900 census.  They lived in North Freedom in 1934 at time of death of her brother, Orson.  Taken from the Reedsburg Free Press, dated 19 June 1913 page 7:  “Stacy P. Ellas crushed his right hand very badly while directing the raising of a large barn near Baraboo.”  Rosa Dell (Rice) Ellas died early Sunday morning the 2nd of March 1941 (according to Reedsburg Wisconsin Times dated 6 March 1941) at the age of 79 in her home in North Freedom Wisconsin.  Funeral services  were held on Tuesday afternoon in North Freedom and Rosa Dell (Rice) Ellas was buried in Oakhill Cemetery in North Freedom, Sauk County, Wisconsin in a grave next to her parents.  Stacy P. Ellas died 6 May 1948.

CHILDREN:

111-131     Roy S. Ellas, b - December 1890, d - 1986 Reedsburg, Sauk County, WI, m - Julia Amelia Young, b - 13 June 1893, d - February 1971.  On her gravestone is marked  1892 - 1971.

111-132     Ethel B. Ellas, b - September 1895 in North Freedom, Wisconsin. m - Raymond Sherwood.

Taken from the Reedsburg Free Press dated 19 June 1913 page 7:  “Mrs Cora Babb of Greenwood, visiting her sister Mrs. S.P. Ellas, is here for the Sherwood-Ellas wedding.  Raymond Sherwood of Ontario, California and Miss Ethel Ellas of our village were married at the home of the bride’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. S. P. Ellas Wednesday of last week June 4th.  The ceremony was performed by Rev. D. E. Hill at eight o’clock in the morning.  After a wedding breakfast the happy couple left on the 11 o’clock train for their new home at Ontario California. Where the groom is engaged in fruit raising.  Many friends here extend congratulations and best wishes for a happy and prosperous future for these young people.”

111-14        WILLIAM HARRY RICE

William Harry Rice, son of Clara Betsy (Erswell) and William P. Rice, was born 15 January 1864 in Ohio.  One of four children and with his parents moved to North Freedom Wisconsin in 1867.  William Harry Rice married Mary Christina (Mate) Dorward.  Mary Christina Doward, daughter of Graham Booth and Caroline (Dearborn) Dorward, was born on 29 August 1866 in Huntsford, Dodge County, Wisconsin.  There is a Caroline Dorward buried in the Appleton Cemetery with dates (25 December 1844 - 28 July 1916).

William, his wife, her family, and his brother Orson, moved near Appleton City, St. Clair County, Missouri the following spring of 1888.  William Harry Rice died 2 March 1942 at the age of 78 years, 1 month, 17 days.

According to the Appleton City, January 10, 1963 edition, “Death claims A. C.’s Oldest Resident.  Death came to the oldest resident of Appleton City, Mrs. Mary Cristina Rice, last Thursday night, January 3.  She had been a patient at the Ellett Memorial Hospital the last eight weeks.  On August 29, Mrs. Rice celebrated her 96th birthday at the home of Mr. And Mrs. Henry Kreissler, where she had made her home the past 12 years.   She was a seamstress for many years and was noted for her fine needlework as long as her eyesight and health permitted.”

Funeral services for Mrs. Rice were held Saturday, January 5, at Trinity Methodist Church in Appleton City with the Rev. Louis Johnsen officiating.  Mrs. Del Erhart and Mrs. James Howell sang “Beautiful Isle of Somewhere” and “It is Well With My Soul” with Mr. W.B. Stout at the organ.  Interment was in the Appleton City Cemetery under the direction of Eckhoff Funeral Home.  There is Mary C. Rice buried in Appleton City Cemetery with dates (29 August 1866 - 3 January 1963).

111-15        ORSON EDWARD RICE

Orson Edward Rice, son of Clara Betsy (Erswell) and William P. Rice, was born 9 November 1869 in North Freedom Wisconsin.  Orson Edward Rice went to Appleton City, Missouri in the spring of 1888 with his brother.  On 1 January 1890 Orson married Lou Isabelle Dorward at Westfield, a parsonage near Appleton City.  Lou Isabelle Dorward, daughter of Graham Booth and Caroline (Dearborn) Dorward was born 12 December 1872 in Reedsburg, Wisconsin.  Lou Isabel Dorward was one of five children.  Orson and Lou Rice had nine children.  Although Orson had been ill, his death was unexpected.  Orson Edward Rice died 10 May 1934.  According to his obituary, this was said of Orson Edward Rice: “Although at the disadvantage of practically total deafness, he met everyone with a smile and never burdened others with tales of his misfortune, and his absence will be deeply felt by all.”  His funeral services were conducted at the Ohio Christian Church on Sunday May 13 1934 by H. E. Carpenter of Calhoun. His final resting place is in Appleton City Cemetery.  Lou Isabelle (Dorward) Rice died 17 July 1950.

CHILDREN:

111-151     Carrie Ella Rice Troxell, b - 23 December 1891, d- 20 November 1976, married George James Troxell, 11 February 1920, b - 1885,d - 19 July 1960.

111-152     Nellie Bell Rice, b - 27 February 1896, d - 26 June 1974.

111-153     Nora Mary Rice, b - 3 February 1898, d - 15 September 1973.

111-154     Ada Josephine Rice Williamson, b - 10 September 1901, d - 24 September 1981, Raymond Williamson, 22 December 1922, b - 12 August 1899, d - June 1981.

111-155     William Arthur Rice, b - 4 February 1904, d - 19 January 1988, married Audrey Mazella Beard, 26 October 1928, b - 11 November 1903, d - 19 January 1988.

111-156     Rose Anna Rice Reasoner, b - 13 October 1907, married Lloyd  Reasoner, b - 14 December 1903, d - 15 December 1989.

111-157     Maudie Louise Rice Mead, b - 9 July 1910, d - January 1987, married Joe Mead, b - 5 September 1910, d - 5 June 1979.

111-158     Ruth Edna Rice Reasoner, b - 19 March 1912, d - May 1979, married Hirni Reasoner.

111-159     RALPH EDWARD RICE, b - 19 March 1912, d - 31 May 1970, married Margaret Coleman, 22 February 1958.