The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1922-10-21
OLDEST COLLEGE GRADUATE
Rev. George RIce,1o3, Was U. V. M.
Alumnus

! Burlington, Oct I'll Rev. George
Gaby Rice OF the class of 1S45 in the
| University CT Vermont, who was re-
cognized for some time previous to
his death as the oldest living college
graduate in the United States, died
Wednesday morning at his home in
| Council Bluffs, Iowa, at the age Of
| 1893 MI Rice celebrated his IO3Iu
birthday on the 22d OF September
He lived an active life throughout
the greater part of his century on
this earth and was in good health
death.
up to within short time before his
Rev, Mr. Rice was born in Enos-
burg, September %, 1919 He was
! the seventh in family of II child.
rem. and was the second son. His
father was a farmer in very moderate
rcumstances, having commenced
life in Enosburg when it was almost
an unbroken wilderness.
From infancy, Mr. Rice was brought
up to take deep interest in re.
iigious affairs. Following are some ex-
/ tracts from his journal, written over
Is years ago, and printed last May
n the Vermont Alumni Weekly.
| "Our public school consisted of
two terms in the year-one term Of
IL weeks beginning the first Monday
in December and one term of II
weeks beginning the first Monday in
June. The summer term was attended
only by those too young to help either
IN the farm or in the house at home.
| The log schoolhouse with its great
fireplace was crowded with pupils
in winter and not much was taught
but reading, spelling. writing and the
simple iulcs of arithmetic Two weekly
papers were taken in our family, both
published in Boston, called the Bos-
ton Recorder and The Youths Com
panion. These papers my father took
in PAL tnership with two of his neigh
bors and used to read them with a
great deal of interest
Mr.. Rice records that in the sum
mer Of 1895. when in his 10th year,
he joined the Congregational church
at a great religious awakening. In
March, 1886, he began attending Ben
nngton academy, living with a friend
Of his father and working his way,
lie remained in this school Is months.
Then, under different instructors, and
earning his way as he went along,
part of the time by teaching in a dis
trict school. he prepared for college.
In September. 1889, when not
quite 20 years old. Mr. Rice passed the
examinations and was adm tied to the
freshman class at the Univers ty Of
Vermont. He left college IN his jun or
year and taught for two years. one
year In Virginia and one in the acad-
envy at Enosburg. Then returning TO
college, he completed his course and
wa graduated IN August, lS45
Going to Maryland. he took pos
ton as teacher in private school,
but was obliged to leave on account OF
sickness before the close OF the Sec
ond year,
After partially recovering his health
Mr.. Rice entered Union Theological
ieminary. New York city. in 1S47, and
vas graduated in June. 1850. He was
licensed to preach by the Pre- byterian
church in New York, April 3. 1850 In
the fall ofthe same year, he was com
missioned by the American Home Mis-
sionary society to preach in Iowa. lie
preached in the Congregational church
in Fairfield, Iowa for one year. then
vent to Council Bluff. In May, 1857
he resigned his charge in Council
bluffs and spent the summer in New
England Returning to Council Bluffs
II the fall, he again took up the work
n the same church until the following
May. From 1859 to 1867, he preached
in Kansas.
The CONGREGATIONAL church of Coun
I'll Bluffs, Iowa, was organized June
IL, 1853, with eight members, OF
VIII ch MIR. Rice was at the head.