Hearne History - Page 129

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CYRUS R., son of James P. and Casendana (Hearne) Rice, born near Lebanon in Wilson Co., Tenn., Aug. 27, 1833, was educated in the old subscription schools and Hickory Grove Academy. He studied medicine when a boy, expecting to follow in his father’s footsteps as a practictioner, but yielded to the Holy Spirit’s impression in his twentieth year and decided to enter the ministry. He was licensed to preach in West Plains, Mo., Jan. 24, 1854, and was employed by the presiding elder on the Thomasville circuit till Sept. 23, 1854, when he was admitted to the St. Louis Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Sept., Bishop Early sent him to Kansas territory. He was an active organizer of that church during the territorial days. Mar., 1865, he united. on his credentials, with the Kansas Conference of the Mehtodist Episcopal Church, since which time lie has given all his time, thought. energy and means (with the exception of one year) to the organizing and building of that great church in Kansas. He writes:

“Perhaps I have done more in the way of organizing societies, circuits and stations in Southern Kansas than any other one man. The one year referred to was given to the editing of the Emporia News. I may say here that I have done a good deal of newspaper writing. I have served two terms as presiding elder, have been elected to two general conferences (those of 1884 and 1892). and served on the General Missionary and Cburch Extension Committee a term of four years. Mar. 9, 1856, I married Miss Lucy Ann McCormick of Wayne Co., Mo. Her father was a cousin of Cyrus H. McCormick, of reaper fame. and helped make the first machine. We have four living children, named Charles Hedding, Edwin Thompson, Merton Stacker and Cyrus Olin."

Charles Hedding Rice lives in New York City, is a civil engineer and has a good position with the New York Central & Hudson River Railroad. He is married, but has no children. Edwin T. Rice is a minister in the Methodist Church and located at present at Pleasant Hill, Mo., and is growing in favor with preachers and people. He married Miss Jennie Wicks of Emporia, Kas., and they have three children, Ruth, Warren and Mary. Merton S. Rice was barn in Ottawa, Kas., Sept. 5, 1872, graduated from High School in Independence, Kas., 1889,

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Copyright (c) 1999, 2007 Brian Cragun.