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From the Biographical Record of the Counties of Rock, Green, Grant, Iowa and Lafayette, Wisconsin, publ. 1901- page 727-728
M. M. RICE, one of the prominent farmers of Marion township, Grant county, is one of the pioneers of that locality, having located there in 1854.
Mr. RICE was born in Allegany county, N.Y., in 1850, a son of Moors and Clarissa (PHILLIPS) RICE, natives of Massachusetts and New Hampshire, respectively. They were reared in New Hampshire, in 1854 came to Grant county, where the father opened up government land and speculated largely in real estate, paying $1.25 an acre for the fine farm adjoining the farm now occupied by our subject. Later in life he removed to Boscobel, where his death occurred in 1879, his wife surviving him until 1883. In politics he was a Republican, and he was honored by being chosen to the office of commissioner in Marion. To himself and wife were born eight children: Myra, Mrs. RIEKS, died in Boscobel in 1887; Oliver A. is a resident of Boscobel; Lucy, Mrs. A. D. REED, died in 1891; Betsy, Mrs. RIEKS, is a resident of Boscobel; Benjamin died in Boscobel in August, 1892, from the effects of wounds received in the war, he having served in a Wisconsin regiment; Anson enlisted, and died at Nashville, Tenn., in 1864; Clarissa is now Mrs. DEYOE, of Wisconsin; M. M. is our subject.
M. M. RICE was but four years old when the family came to Wisconsin and so has grown up with the State. His farm now consists of 196 acres, in a fine state of cultivation, a part of which was comprised in the old homestead. Mr. RICE devotes a part of his attention to the growing of honey, having ninety-five hives, and his product commands a high price on account of its excellence.
In 1872 Mr. RICE married, in Marion township, Emma RIEKS, daughter of Reuben and Emrancy (ORTRANDER) RIEKS, natives of New York, and early pioneers of Wisconsin. The father is still living, residing at Boscobel; the mother died April 29, 1895. To our subject and wife six children have been born: Leta, now Mrs. TUFFLEY, of Marion township; Albert, attending college at Beloit, Wis.; George, who is married and resides in Marion, operating a cheese factory; and Harry, Ora and Warren, still at home.
Politically Mr. RICE is a Republican, has been a member of the town board, and chairman of the Marion township board. Both he and his wife are consistent members of the Congregational Church of Boscobel, in which Mr. RICE is a deacon, and they are well known and highly esteemed throughout the county where they have resided, practically all their lives.
This biography generously submitted by Carol Holmbeck