William Rice (Methodist minister)
William Rice (May 10th, 1821 – August 17th, 1897) was a Methodist minister and later librarian in Springfield, Massachusetts.
He was born in Springfield, MA to William Rice and Jerusha Warriner. He 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 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 was a vocal advocate against slavery beginning early in his life.
In 1861, he became librarian of the City Library Association of Springfield. In 1871, the library moved to a new building named the William Rice Building. It became a free public library in 1885.
In 1863, he was appointed a member of the Massachusetts Board of Education. He also served on the Springfield Board of Education, and the Board of Trustees at Wesleyan Academy and Wesleyan University.
He married Caroline Laura North in 1842. He was the father of William North Rice and Charles Francis Rice, Caroline Laura, and Edward Hyde Rice. He was the grandfather of Edward Loranus Rice and Paul North Rice.
References
- ↑ Rice, William North (1898). William Rice: A memorial.