Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1866-10-05
ODitalnrY.

We take the following Obituary Notice
from the Watertown N. Y. Daily Reflector,
Sept. list. 1t will be read with interest by
the older Inhabitants Of this village and
of Guiliord, who knew and remember
Mr.. Rice, and it is a good illustration of the
remarks of S, NJ, Waite, on board the
City of Boston, which we reported last
week.
CLARKE RICE.-Thc subject of this
sketch, whose deceasc we have already an
nounced, was born in Gulford, VT. , in 1897.
AT the age of twelve years he went to the
neighboring village of Brattleboro. to learn
the printers trade Of William Fessenden,
publisher of the Reporter. AS a proof of
the confidence he inspired in his employers:
is the fact that, in 1914, Fessenden and Hol-
brook sent him at the age of seventeen, to
take charge of Il bookstore in our village.
which he did for some years. He then re-
turned to Brattleboro for Il season, and in
the Fall of 1924 came back to Watertown.
and entered into business with Geo. w.
knowlton, under the well known tirm-name
of Knowlton & Rice.
They boughttwo paper mills of j. @. Ad-
ans Il Co. one situated near the iron bridge.
close to where the Jefferson FIGURING Mill
now stands. and the other near the upper
water works on the river. The firm also
opened book store, on the present site of
Harger's Bank.
In about three years after, they opened a
job and book printing Office, from which they
issued, in the course of years, a large series
of popular school books. Among these
wero Cobb's and Webster's Spelling Books,
Colburn's and Ruger's Arithmetics, and the
celebrated English Reader.
In the course of their business. two paper
mills and two bookstores Of theirs were
burned down, and rebuilt or replaced
In 1858, Knowlton & Rice sold their re-
manning paper mill to Brown & Chamber
lain, and it subsequently passed into the
hands of the Knowlton Brothers. the pres
ent proprictors. Soon after, the bookstore
was sold to a. II. Hall, and the old firm of
Knowlton & Rice was dissolved.
In 1S47, when the project of the Water
town and Rome Railroad began to be dis
cusscd, Mr.. Rice's whole soul became en-
listed i'll the enterprise, and he went through
this county to solicit subscriptions. and i'm
press the public mind with the Importance
of this outlet for the productions Of North
ern New York. His energy and persever-
ancc accomplished great deal for this en-
terprise, and he was elected one of the first
directors of the road, and held the Office of
SECRETARY of the Board for many wears.
No one ever labored harder, or with more
fidelity in position Of public trust and re-
sponsibility than Clarke Rice.
About 1858, he retired from all public
business, but he was not content to enjoy in
idleness, the handsome competence he had
earned. His old fondness for the printing
business revived, and for several years he
worked as Il composition in the Reformer Of
flee, and stood at his case there only Il few
months before his death. The arrangement
was that he should only work when he
chose, but the regularity and industry Of
his habits, were good example for younger
men to initiate.
Mr.. Rice was man of much intellectual
vigor, and several years ago, wrote a series
of articles for the Tribune which attracted
considerable attention. He had strong
individuality of character, which appeared
in every thing he wrote or said. In his per-
sonal and domestic relations, as we'll as in
his capacity as a man of business, his integ-
rity, fidelity and enthusiastic devotion to du.
ty, were universally acknowledged by all
who knew him. His habits were uneXcep-
tionaNle, and few men ever exhibited a
greater purity of character.
He has passed away, after long and use
full career, in the fulness Of his years, and
has left one less among the old citizens of
our village, whose names ARE connected
with its growth and prosperity. He was
one Of the landmarks in our local history
and his loss will be realized by all. He
leaves, as is well known, three children, two
sons and daughter, none of whom reside
in the county.