Clarence A. Rice. Some highly developed farms lie along rural route No. 56 in Philo Township, and one of them is the place of Clarence A. Rice, which is in section 24. Mr. Rice has given a good account of his energies and ability and deserves to rank well to the front among the farming men of one of the richest agricultural sections of the Middle West.
He was born in Bureau County, Illinois, April 7, 1861, a son of Samuel D. and Kate (Bergstra) Rice. His father was born in Massachusetts and his mother in New York State. It was in 1856 that Samuel D. Rice came West, first locating in Iowa and about two years later moving to Bureau County, Illinois. In 1881 he came from Bureau County to Champaign County and established his home in section 24 of Philo Township. He was successfully identified with farming in that locality until his death on December 23, 1914. His good wife and the mother of his only child died in 1863.
Clarence A. Rice grew up in his father’s home, attended both the common and high schools, and for many years was associated with his father in the management of the fine farm in Philo Township. He is now individually the owner of 185 acres in section 24 and devotes it to general farming and stock raising.
On March 4, 1886, Mr. Rice married Carrie Hazen. Their two children, Katherine G. and Nathan L., have been afforded every advantage at home and in school and are now students in the State University at Urbana. Mr. Rice is a Republican in politics and is now serving as treasurer of his township school. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church.
The pretty estate of Mr. and Mrs. Rice is known as “Belle Vue,” and it is the abode of hospitality and good cheer.