My Genealogy Hound

William T. Rice, citizen and farmer of Haywood County, is a native of Georgetown, S. C., born February 21, 1832, and is the son of John P. and Rachel (Rowell) Rice, who were both natives of South Carolina. The father was an extensive rice planter in his native State, and moved to Haywood County in 1837, being one of the early settlers, and continued farming until he died, August 28, 1877. The mother was born about 1824, and died in 1859. Our subject received a good education when young, and in 1853 attended one course of lectures at the Memphis Medical College but soon abandoned the profession and in 1854 began merchandising in Durhamville, Lauderdale Co., Tenn., remaining there three years, then continued the business at Brownsville until 1859. August 25, 1859, he married Sarah Hay, a native of North Carolina, born about 1834. In 1860 Mr. Rice located on a farm in Tipton County, but not being satisfied there, in 1872 returned to Haywood County, buying the farm on which he now lives. In politics he was a Whig before the war, but is now a Republican; he does not belong to any church but attends the Methodist. Mr. and Mrs. Rice have had six children, five still living: William T., born July 12, 1860; Mary A., born May 18, 1862; Myra L., born January 1, 1866; David S., born April 7, 1868; Dora H., born July 31, 1872, and Susie B., born February 15, 1875; she died in infancy.