Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-05-29

DeasA sfTwe ola and Prsminept c,t,....
of Augusta.
RICHARD d. Rrcr.


Hon. R. D. Rice died at bis residence no.
"er OF Chandler and State streets, SATURDAY.
"orninR At quarter before five O'Clock.
.seo ~ years, l month and l6 DAYS. For
several years previous to his decesse Jndoe
nice had been in declining health. and
" mas been known to his family and
friends that his dissolution might occur at al
most any time. All that medical skill, wealth.
ana the tender attentions of those he loved
could do to minister to his comfort and soo,be
his declining years, were his i; and this thouyb,
must temper the poignancy of the grief of
those who we're near and dear to him. IN
their affection
Richard Drury Rice came of sturdy Puritan
stock, his ancestors being among the earliest
settlers IF Massachusetts. Born in Union.
Knox county. April 18th, 1910, he passed
his boyhoOd on his fathers farm. and ~.s
educated in the common schools of his native
town. Early manifesting a desire to learn
the mystery of the printers craft, be entered
the Office Of the Thomaston Register as an
apprentice. and worked in Thomaston and
other places for several years. Feeling the
need of higher education, Young Rice laid
down the composing stick and pursued a
course Of classical studies at the China
Academy. Thence going to Hallowell he
founded there Tin connection with Arson
Herrick, afterwards member of Congress
from New York city, an anti Masonic paper
called The Free Press and Advocate, which
he published for several years. Removing to
Augusta in 1886, he engaged in the book
selling business In Market square, remain.
ing in trade until 1882 when he sold ont 10
u. Z. Stanwood. He then studied law with
D. w. Bradbury, and was admitted to practice
in 1910, forming a professional partnership
with that gentleman. His old love for iour
nalism returning, in 1874 he purchased of
VIM. r. Smith and G. NJ. Weston an interest
in the Age newspaper, which he edited until
1s4s,wh he was appointed by Governor Dana
to the Bench of the Court of Common Pleas
for the Middle District, which office he held
until May l 1852. when he was elevated as
Associate Justice to the Supreme Bench,
which position he retained for ii years, until
his resignation, December /, 1868, to engage
as president Of the Portland and Kennebec
Railroad in managing the affairs of
that company. Judge Rice was also largely
interested in the Northern Pacific Railroad
being one Of the original movers in that mag
nificent enterprise, and having been one of
the directors and vice president of the cor
porationfor several years. In his stirring bust
ness life Judge Rice accumulated an ample
fortune; and his career furnishes US with an
instance where the judicial ermine has been
laid aside, not. as sometimes, for the inviting
garb of commerce, but for the comfortable
cloak of transit and travel. and man past
middle life has won a competence in few
years of vigorous endeavor. His health
however, became impaired. by a too close
application to business, and he has been I'M
well for several years. Judge Rice was twice
married. His first wife was Anne r. Smith
of Hallowell. who died in 1888. leaving him
one son, Albert s. Rice, Esq, a successful
lawyer in Rockland. For his second
wifehe married Almira E. Robinson daughter
of Joseph r. Emery, and widow of George
Robinson of Augusta) who survives him.
One daughter blessed this last union, Abbie
z. Rice, who married Captain Samuel Dana
of the U. S. Army, and died in California in
1868.
For years the tall, manly form and kindly,
intellectual face of Judge Rice have been ia
miliar to our people, and it is with sorrow
we remember that we shall see them no more.
He was a man Of great ability and force
of character; patriotic ard generous as a
citizen; learned and upright as judge; and
respected and beloved in all the walks of life.
Politically he affiliated with the democratic
party, and was honored with nominations for
many offices by that organization and chosen
delegate to its National conventions. Win
ming his way upward, from the printers case to
the supreme bench. his life is full of en-
couragement and example. His career shows
that in this country the young man who
possesses a clear head, strong arm and a
brave heart, may successfully aspire to posi-
ton and fortune.