William Rice | |
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Born |
Springfield, Massachusetts |
May 10, 1821
Died | August 17, 1897 | (aged 76)
Nationality | American |
Alma mater | Wesleyan University |
Occupation | Minister, Librarian |
Children | William North Rice, Charles Francis Rice |
Parent(s) | William Rice (1788) and Jerusha Warriner |
William Rice (1821–1897) was a widely known Methodist Episcopal minister and author, and for many years the librarian of the City Library in Springfield, Massachusetts. He was a very important figure in 19th century Springfield.
He was born May 10, 1821 in Springfield, MA to William Rice and Jerusha Warriner. William Rice I was a respected businessman and public servant who began a long tradition of Methodism in the Rice family. He was a descendent of Edmund Rice, an early settler in Massachusetts. Jerusha Warriner was the daughter of David Warriner and was descended from William Warriner, a founder of Springfield.
William II studied in Springfield public schools and at Wilbraham Wesleyan Academy, graduating in 1840. He received a Master of Arts from Wesleyan University in 1853, and a Doctor of Divinity in 1876.
He was ordained in the New England Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1841, and served churches for the next 16 years. He served as pastor at North Meldon (Melrose, Massachusetts), Saugus, Massachusetts, Marblehead, Massachusetts, North Russell Street (Grace Church (Boston)), South Street in Lynn, Massachusetts, Park Street (Walnut street) in Chelsea, Massachusetts, Chicopee, Massachusetts, Bromfield Street in Boston, and Park Street in Chelsea again. He also served as chaplain in the Hamden County House of Correction.