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Mamie (Walker) Rice Poland  was born in August 1869 in Missouri or in Millersburg, Green Township, Iowa County, IA, the daughter of William "Crawford" and Electa (Minard) Walker. She spent her girlhood in Iowa and was a pioneer of Kansas.

When she was nine years of age, in 1878, Mamie and her parents migrated from Iowa to Mulvane, Sumner County, KS. 

At the age of 20, Mamie married 34-year-old Alfred Wilson Rice (Jan. 10, 1855-1928), a West Virginia native who was 14 years older than she. The nuptials took place on April 11, 1889, in Carnall County or perhaps (?) Carolina (?). (The location is not proved, but is provided here as listed on one legal document where Mamie was the source.)

Alfred had been married once before, to Minda (?), and brought two sons to the marriage -- Holledge Vern "Hawley" Rice and Roy "Clifton" Rice. During Alfred's marriage to Minda, they had lived in Newton, Carroll County, IA, where they were farmers.

Mamie and Alfred went on to have five children of their own, the first three in Iowa, and the younger two in Kansas -- Clara Myers, John Albert Rice, George Wilson Rice, Leona Galbraith and William Sebring "Willie" Rice. 

When the federal census was taken in 1900, the Rice brood made their home on a farm in Gypsum, Sedgwick County, KS. They moved to Wichita, Sedgwick County in 1905 and were counted there in the 1905 Kansas State Census..

By 1910, living in Wichita, Alfred was employed as a house carpenter. Boarding in their home was 21-year-old carpenter William Kime. They were members of the Pentecostal Church. 

When son Willie registered for the military draft during the First World War, in September 1918, he stated that Mamie was his nearest relative, and that she resided at 155 North Emporia in Wichita.

Sadly, Mamie and Alfred separated, likely before 1918. They divorced, with the decree made in Sedgwick County in May 24, 1919. She claimed his abandonment of the family as the cause.

By 1920, Alfred had moved to El Dorado, Butler County, KS, where he lodged in a bunk house and was a carpenter on a local mill project. While he reported himself as widowed, in truth he was divorced. Alfred is believed to have died during the decade of the 1920s. This needs to be proven with precision. 

Just a few months after her divorce, Mamie married again in Wichita, to Napoleon Poland (1854-1933), on Dec. 4, 1919. She was age 49, and he 65, at the time. The ceremony was performed by Sedgwick County Probate Judge B.W.C. Jones. 

Downtown Wichita, Kansas

Napoleon was a native of Plattsburgh, New York, and had been married at least once before. A retired farmer, he brought adult children to his marriage with Mamie, including daughter Mrs. Ed Morris of Marland, OK and son Julius Poland of Triplet, MO.

The Polands dwelled in Wichita in 1920 when the federal census was taken. Their residence was on Arkansas Street. That year, Napoleon had no occupation. At the death of Mamie's mother in 1924, an obituary in the Brookfield (MO) Gazette referred to her as "Mamie Bowling" who was residing in Wichita.

They may have spent the final years of wedded life together in Sayles, OK. Unfortunately, their marriage was rocky, and she eventually claimed "gross neglect" against him. She filed for divorce for the second time in her life. Despite the fact that Napoleon contested, it was granted, again in Sedgwick County, on Oct. 3, 1927. She then resumed using her first married surname, "Rice." 

Napoleon married again within a year or two to Lucinda (?) and lived at 1812 Arkansas in Wichita. He died on Nov. 4, 1933.

Former husband Alfred Rice spent his final years living in the Baltimore Hotel in Wichita. At the age of 73, he died on Sept. 18, 1928 with burial in Wichita Park Cemetery. A short notice of his passing was printed in the Wichita Beaconand a longer version appeared in the Wichita Eagle.

Mamie passed away on March 15, 1951, at the Faith Sanitarium, relieved of her suffering. The Culbertson Mortuary in Wichita handled her funeral arrangements, with the service led by Rev. H.A. Thomas. Burial followed in the White Chapel Cemetery. At the time, she was survived by her sister Angie Oliver in Denver, CO, and by her brothers Marion Walker and Ellet Walker, both of Brookville, Linn County, MO. In an obituary, the Wichita Eagle said she was survived by eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. She rests beside her grandson, Corky Nelson Rice, who joined her in eternity in 1980.

~ Stepson Holledge Vern "Hawley" Rice ~ 

Stepson Holledge Vern "Hawley" Rice (1877-1957) -- also spelled "Hawley" -- was born in November 1877 in Newton, Carroll County, IA.

He was age 12 when our Mamie became his step-mother. In July 1897, he began studying at the normal school in Wellington, KS to prepare for a career in teaching. Then in August 1899, the Mulvane (KS) Record announced that he had been hired to "teach a six months term of school at Starlight district, north of Belle Plaine." His next school assignment was in the Meeker District in 1900, and then in Corbin, KS in 1901 at a salary of $50 per month. The Record said at that time that he "has the reputation of being a first class teacher."

He took examinations in April 1902 to qualify for employment with the federal government. He continued teaching for the time being and in February 1903, now in the Derby school, was moved to the District No. 9 school after a predecessor was dismissed for incompetency. By 1909, he was hired by a government pension office, working in Topeka. 

On June 9, 1909, when he was age 31, he entered into marriage with 30-year-old Mabel A. Dye (Aug. 31, 1878-1962), originally from Menard County, IL. The wedding ceremony was held in the home of her mother Jennie B. Dye at 1551 South Market Street, by the hand of Rev. F.W. Spencer of the Harry Street Methodist Church. The happy event was announced in the Belle Plaine (KS) News. Up to the time of marriage, she had taught in Belle Plaine schools for two years, Wichita's Emerson Elementary School and a Peck school and was considered "very popular with her pupils."

They were the parents of at least three daughters, Marjorie V. Hoag, Marian C. Rhodes and Betty Nelson Light. 

Hawley's place of work, the Wichita post office

When the Wichita pension office closed in 1912, he made the decision to be transferred to Washington, DC, where he worked as a clerk in the pension bureau of the Department of the Interior. Two years into the assignment, and homesick for Kansas, he persuaded mailing division clerk Isaac N. Williams in the U.S. Post office in Wichita to swap jobs.   

In 1920, 1930 and 1940, this family lived in Wichita, where Hawley was employed as a post office clerk. Their address in 1928, when Hawley was named in his father's obituary, was 1551 South Market Street. In all, he stayed with the postal service until retirement in 1942. In his spare time, he raised prize-winning flowers and held a membership in the Wichita Iris Club. They belonged to the Bethany Methodist Church.

As of 1950, neither Hawley or Mabel had an occupation. Their final home together was at 927 Litchfield.

Hawley passed away in their residence at the age of 80 on Dec. 16, 1957. His remains were lowered under the sod of White Chapel Memorial Gardens following funeral rites provided by Rev. Vern d. Livengood of the family church. An obituary was published in the Wichita Eagle.

The widowed Mabel survived for another nearly five years. During that time her daughters Marjorie and Betty both shared a residence with her. With her health in decline, she was admitted to St. Joseph Hospital. There, at the age of 84, she died on Nov. 16, 1962. An obituary in the Wichita Beacon said she "had been a resident of Wichita since 1884, coming here from the Peck, Kan., community where her father, Ezekial Dye, had established a claim shortly after the Civil War." Her pastor Rev. Dr. Clarence Hamm conducted the funeral rites.

Daughter Marjorie V. Rice (1911-1979) was born in about 1911 in Kansas. At the age of 19, in 1930, she lived with her parents in Wichita and worked as a stenographer for a gasoline lamp factory. She tied the marital knot with (?) Hoag ( ? - ? ). By 1957, they relocated to Georgia and made a home in the town of Smyrna. By 1962, Marjorie had returned to Wichita and lived with her widowed mother and sister Betty Nelson. Her last move was to Southern California. Death reputedly spirited her away in Pasadena on May 16, 1979.

Daughter Marian C. Rice (1913-1986) was born on July 24, 1913 in the District of Columbia. She grew to adulthood in Wichita, KS. Marian was joined in wedlock with Clarence Valentine "John" Rhodes (1906-1962), a native of Oklahoma. They do not appear to have reproduced. Federal census records for 1940 show the pair living under the roof of Marian's parents in Wichita, with him employed as an attendant at a veteran's hospital. As of 1950, he earned a living as an Army Air Force clerk and she as a secretary for the Kansas State Board of Social Welfare. In time, she went to work as a secretary for the Wichita Disabled American Veterans. As of 1957, their address in Wichita was 815 Chautauqua. Sadly, John passed away in 1962. Marian outlived him by some 24 years. Her final home was with her sister Betty in San Gabriel, CA. She died there at the age of 72 on April 10, 1986. The remains were shipped back to Wichita to sleep for the ages in White Chapel Memorial Gardens. An obituary in the Wichita Eagle named her sister Betty Light as her sole survivor.

Daughter Betty H. Rice (1920-1989) was born on Sept. 22, 1920 either in Kansas or the District of Columbia. (Records vary.) She was united in matrimony with (?) Nelson ( ? - ? ). The pair put down roots in Wichita at the address of 2103 South Old Manor Road. Together, they produced a family of two sons -- Steven Nelson and Kent Nelson. At one time in her life she earned a living as a secretary. Then in 1962, with her first marriage apparently over, she and her sister Marjorie Hoag and widowed mother lived together in Wichita's 1805 North Edgemoor Road. She wed again to Robert Light ( ? - ? ) and relocated to San Gabriel, CA. She was in San Gabriel in 1986 when named in the Wichita Eagle obituary of her sister Marian. The angel of death plucked Betty away on July 3, 1989. Services were conducted in Alhambra, CA, and a short obituary appeared in the Wichita Eagle.

• Grandson Steven Nelson ( ? - ? ) made his home at Quivira Lake, KS in 1989.

• Grandson Kent Nelson ( ? - ? ) relocated to Oklahoma City and was there in 1989.

~ Stepson Roy Clifton "Cliff" Rice ~ 

Stepson Roy Clifton "Cliff" Rice (1879-1963) was born on Dec. 9, 1879 in Dedham, Carroll County, Iowa. 

He was age 10 when his father married our Mamie, and she considered him as a son. 

In adulthood, he was of medium height and build, with brown eyes and dark hair.

When he was 23 years of age, on April 15, 1903, he was united in the bonds of matrimony with Margaret Frances "Maggie" Keller ( ? - ? ), daughter of John and Emma Keller who dwelled on a farm east of Mulvane, KS. Their wedding ceremony was held in the bride's home by the hand of Rev. F.E. Gordon, "in the presence of nearly a score of the immediate relatives and friends," reported the Mulvane Record, and reprinted in the Douglass Tribune. "A bountiful wedding supper was served after the congratulations had been offered. It was a very pleasant occasion... They are worthy young people, who have the best wishes of a host of friends."

Two daughters borne of their union were Mildred Mead and Fern Uhlbrich. 

During World War I, as did his brothers, Cliff registered for the military draft. At the time, he and Maggie lived in R.F.D. 1, Douglas, Butler County, KS, where he was a self-employed farmer. Said the Wichita Eagle, the couple moved to the Mulvane area in 1917.

From 1900 to 1946, they lived on a farm at Sedgwick. Cliff was named in his father's Wichita newspaper obituary in 1928, and at the time made a home in Sedgwick, KS. 

They then relocated to Newton, Harvey County, KS and remained in the 1946-1961 and were members of the Newton Nazarene Church. The couple's final residence together was with their daughters at McCune and Yates Center, KS.

With their health in decline, Cliff and Maggie were admitted to reside in a rest home in Erie, KS. Sadly, he died at the age of 83 on May 30, 1963. Burial was in Mulvane Cemetery. The Wichita Eagle published an obituary, calling him "A former area resident." His survivors included two grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Maggie outlived her spouse by a year. Death swept her away into infinity on March 11, 1964. Her obituary also appeared in the Eagle.

Daughter Mildred L. Rice (1905-1980) was born on March 5, 1905. On Sept. 18, 1929, in Valley Center, KS, the 24-year-old Mildred married Alvan Mead (Nov. 15, 1908-1985), often misspelled as "Alvin." The pair did not reproduce. For three decades, they were farmers in Sedgwick County. Then they lived in Yates Center, KS from the early 1960s to the close of their lives. At their golden wedding anniversary in September 1979, they held an open house at the Yates Center United Methodist Church. The Wichita Eagle ran an article about the happy celebration. Mildred died five months later, on Feb. 28, 1980. Her remains were lowered into eternal repose in Yates Center Cemetery. Alvan outlived her by five years and appears to have wed again to Bertha ( ? - ? ). He succumbed to the spectre of death at the age of 76 on April 16, 1985. A notice of his death was printed in the Wichita Eagle.

Girard (KS) Cemetery - Courtesy "Shane" - Find-a-Grave

The Ulbrichs' graves Courtesy "Shane"

Daughter Fern Marie Rice (1914-2002) was born on Aug. 29, 1914 in Douglass, Butler County, KS. She wed Walter Elijah Ulbrich April 14, (1913-1981), also spelled "Uhlbrich." Together they bore a trio of offspring -- Archie Melvin Ulbrich, Helen Beverly Ulbrich and Mildred Larcum. Evidence suggests that daughter Helen died at birth on Feb. 21, 1938. For decades, the Ulbrichs were dairy farmers, living in McCune, KS. The 1950 federal census enumeration shows them farming in Osage, Crawford County, KS. Walter died at the age of 68 on Oct 2, 1981. An obituary appeared in the Wichita Eagle. Funeral services were conducted in the First Presbyterian Church of Girard, KS. Fern lived for another 21 years in widowhood. Death spirited her away at the age of 88, two days before Christmas 2002, in Pittsburg, KS. They sleep for the ages in Girard Cemetery.

• Grandson Archie Melvin Ulbrich (1935-2016) was born on Christmas Day, 1935 in Parsons, Labette County, KS. He was a 1954 graduate of McCune High School where he played right guard on the football team. Archie was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and spent his career as construction laborer. He was married at least twice. His first bride was Beverly Ann Gipson ( ? - ? ), daughter of Amelia Gipson. Their nuptials were held at the First Methodist Church of Vancouver, WA, officiated by Rev. Frank Brown. In announcing the wedding, the Vancouver Columbian said that "The long skirt of her lace of satin gown was designed with tiers of lace and net and the fitted bodice had tapered sleeves. Her fingertip veil was caught by a crown of lace and pearls and she carried a teardrop bouquet of pink roses and white carnations." The newlyweds then traveled to Archie's hometown to visit with his parents. The Ulbriches produced one daughter, Susan Renee Kroker. They made a home in Vancouver, WA in 1969. Their union ended in separation and divorce the following year, with Archie placing a classified advertisement in the Columbian, saying "I will not be responsible for any debts other than my own." Then in 1979, he and Kelly Susanna Curtz (April 17, 1945-2013) were joined in marriage. Their union was short-lived, and in 1984 she wed once more to Joseph James Siri. Archie moved to Vancouver, WA and was there in 1981. then in 1992, at the time of his daughter's wedding, he lived in Milwaukie, OR. Later in life, he relocated to Yuma County, AZ. At the age of 80, as a patient in Yuma Regional Medical Center, he passed into the arms of the heavenly host on Jan. 13, 2016. Memorial services were held at the Foothills Assembly of God Church, presided by Pastor Brian Baker.

  Great-granddaughter Susan Renee Ulbrich was born in Vancouver, WA. She was very young when her parents' marriage dissolved. Susan was an alumna of Hudson's Bay High School and Trend College. She then secured employment as an accounting clerk with America Kotobuki Electronics Industries. On Aug. 22, 1992, Susan entered into marriage with Kevin Robert Kroker ( ? - ? ), son of Mel and Connie Kroker of West Linn, OR. The wedding was led by Rev. Jerry May at the Camas Church of the Nazarene in Vancouver, with the happy couple pictured in the Vancouver Columbian. Kevin was a graduate of West Linn High School followed by Portland Community College. At the time of marriage, he worked as a machinist with Dullum Industries.

• Granddaughter Mildred "Millie" Ulbrich (1945- ? ) was born in about 1945 and spent her early years in Osage, KS. She was a 1963 graduate of McCune Rural High School. Mildred tied the knot with Carl "Wayne" Larcom (April 17, 1943-2023), son of Ira and Josie Larcom of McCune, KS. The known children in this family were Donald Larcom, Teresa Larcom and Cynthia Marie Segale. Wayne had grown up on a farm near McCune, where he began school in a one-room schoolhouse and eventually graduated from  McCune High School. He served in the U.S. Navy in 1961-1962, aboard the USS Adroit, and played a role during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Back in civilian life, he became employed with Tampko (1962-1965), Beneficial Financial (1965-1970), Credit Thrift (1970-1976) and Wells-Battlestein Oil and Gas (1977-1984). Then going to work for the Crawford County Appraisers Office, he remained until he retired in 2008. With an interest in community service, he was active with the Chanute Jaycees and Elks Lodge of Chanute, serving in every lodge office at least once, and held a term as District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler (1977-1978). They lived in Salina, KS in 1968 and in Chanute, KS in the 1970s and 1980s. Wayne was considered warm and kind-hearted. He sported a big beard, and a newspaper once said that "Children frequently would stop him to ask if he was Santa. Carl always had time for them and would shock their parents by calling them by name, few ever realized "his magic" was attention to detail as the parents would invariably use their name when telling them not to bother him. One year on a vacation to Hawaii he was approached by a young man about 20, who wanted to take a picture with Santa on vacation at the beach, of course the answer was yes." Their final home was in Shawnee, KS. Death spirited him away at the age of 80 on Aug. 4, 2023. Burial was in Girard, KS. The family requested in an obituary that any memorial gifts be made to the Foundation Fighting Blindness or the Alzheimer's Association.

  Great-grandson Donald Larcom ( ? - ? ) graduated in 1985 from the vocational-technical department of Pittsburg State University. He is married to Deb.

  Great-granddaughter Teresa Larcom ( ? - ? )

  Great-granddaughter Cynthia Marie Larcom (1972- ? ) was born in 1972. News of her birth was trumpeted in the pages of the McCune Herald. She wed John Segale. They are the parents of Fiona Segale, Isabella Segale and Rory Segale.

~ Daughter Clara Edna (Rice) Myers ~ 

Daughter Clara Edna Rice (1890-1980) was born in January 16, 1889 or 1890 in Iowa. 

She lived in Wichita as a young woman. When she was 20 years of age, on Oct. 13, 1909, she married 22-year-old Coral Ernest Myers (July 21, 1887-1970), a native of Mount Hope, KS. Their wedding ceremony was held in Olustee, OK, by the hand of Rev. J.L. Dickey of the Presbyterian Church.

Coral is known to have had an eighth grade education. In adulthood, he stood 6 feet tall and weighed 190 lbs.

Together, they bore two known offspring -- Beverly Hunt and Wesley Myers.

When daughter Beverly was born in 1911, the family was in Kansas, and at the birth of son Wesley in 1920, they dwelled in South Dakota. 

Clara was mentioned by name in her father's 1928 newspaper obituary. By that time, they had moved to a residence in Winton, Sweetwater County, WY. The 1930 federal census enumeration of Winton shows Coral working as an electrician in a coal mine, with teachers Muriel Crawford and Dorothy Saunders rooming in the household. In 1935, the Myerses lived in Rock Springs, Sweetwater County, and by 1940 had migrated to Leavenworth, KS, with him employed as a laborer by a bridge and iron company and she as manager of an apartment house.

Coral in 1941 was required to register for the military draft as World War II loomed. At age 54, his address was 571½ East Douglas in Wichita, and he had no job at that time. He stated that his brother-in-law Hawley Verne Rice would always know where to find him.

Coral and Clara pulled up stakes yet again in 1947 and moved to the West Coast, settling in Twenty-Nine Palms, San Bernardino County, CA. They both had occupations as caretakers of the Yucca Rest Court as shown in the 1950 census. Circa 1951, at the death of her mother, Clara was named in the Wichita Eagle as residing in Yucca Valley, San Bernardino County. She remained in the Valley at least through 1957.

Then in 1970, at the passing of her brother George, she again was mentioned in the Eagle, with her home given as Yucaipa, CA. Sadly, Coral died in San Bernardino, CA on April 10, 1970.

Clara lived on as a widow for another decade. Her final dwelling-place was in Indio near Palm Springs, CA.

She died in Riverside, San Bernardino County on Nov. 18, 1980, at the age of 90. An obituary in the Palm Springs Desert Sun said "she was a three-year desert resident and had lived in California for 33 years." Rev. Michael Noizumi led the funeral rites at the Coachella Valley Christian Church. The remains were laid to rest in Montecito Memorial Park in San Bernardino.  

Daughter Beverly Juanita Myers (1910-1982) was born on July 20, 1910 in Kansas. She lived in Columbia, MO in 1935 and was a college graduate. Beverly was joined in matrimony with William Bernard Hunt (July 18, 1910-1963), a Wyoming native and the son of William Henry and Katherine (Featherstone) Hunt. The pair's one known son was William Wesley Hunt. When the federal census enumeration was made in 1940, the Hunts made their dwelling-place in San Antonio, Los Angeles County, CA. Their address was San Gabriel Avenue. There, he provided skilled labor for a meat packing company. She was employed as a teacher in Reno, NV in the 1950s and 1960s. Circa 1961, she was the teachers' representative to the executive board of the Anderson (NV) School Parent-Teacher Association. At one time she was secretary of the Reno Teachers Association. The marriage ended in divorce. William went to live in Wyoming and in the early 1960s was at 1814 Carey in Cheyenne, WY. He earned a living as a railroad fireman. He was admitted to the Wyoming State Hospital and remained for 136 days, diagnosed with chronic brain syndrome associated with alcohol intoxication as well as an ulcer of the duodenum. When the ulcer perforated, peritonitis set in followed by shock and death on July 28, 1963. His official Wyoming death certificate listed no cemetery or crematory as his final place of rest. As of 1980-1982, Beverly dwelled in Indio, CA. The angel of death cleaved her away in Palm Springs, CA at the age of 72 on Oct. 9, 1982. The Palm Springs Desert Sun carried a short obituary.

• Grandson William Wesley Hunt (1938- ? ) was born in about 1938 in California. At the age of 12, he made a home with his mother in Reno, NV.

Son Wesley W. "Wes" Myers (1919-1998) was born on Oct. 22, 1919 in South Dakota. At the age of about 19, he joined the U.S. Navy in 1939 and served through World War II, receiving his honorable discharge in 1945. He was a member of the Navy Reserves from 1947 to 1952. Wesley was united in matrimony with Jane ( ? - ? ). Their union endured the ebbs and flows of a remarkable 51 years together. Two children born into this family were Tacy/Tracy DuVall and Mark Wayne Myers. Reported the Palm Springs Desert Sun, "Mr. Myers was principal of Hoover Elementary School from 1956 to 1961, director of business services in the Indio School District, and assistant superintendent of school plants and construction for the Desert Sands Unified School District. He left the district to work for the Coachella Water District, where he retired as manager of purchasing, safety and personnel." They lived in Indio, CA in 1955-1980 and belonged to the Church of the Nazarene, Church of Christ and The Church of Pioneertown. They were plunged into grief at the death of their son Mark in 1992. Their final home in the 1990s was in Pioneertown, near Palm Springs, CA. He died at the age of 78 on July 7, 1998. The Desert Sun printed an obituary. 

• Granddaughter Tacy Rae Myers ( ? - ? ), sometimes mispelled as "Tracy," was born on (?) She is believed to have attended Indio High School and was a 1973 graduate of the College of the Desert. She wed (?) DuVall. She lived at Indio, CA in 1992 and in North Shore, CA in 1998.

• Grandson Mark Wayne Myers (1955-1992) was born in about 1955 in Indio, CA. He was employed for a decade as a lineman, employed by the Imperial Irrigation District. He held a membership in the Coachella Valley Christian Church. He may not have married, and he did not  reproduce. Sadly, at the age of 37, he was electrocuted and died while at work in Bermuda Dunes on Dec. 27, 1992. The Palm Springs Desert Sunreported that he was "stringing electrical wire in a residential neighborhood" when he was "hit by 7,200 volts of electricity ... in the 41-800 block of Lima Hill Road... A work crew was stringing wire across Avenue 42 at Lima Hall when the wire became energized after contacting something else on the pole... [and] the power traveled to a wire puller Myers was using." A memorial service was held in the family church. 

~ Son John Albert Rice ~ 

Son John Albert Rice (1893-1957) was born on Aug. 15, 1892 or Aug. 18, 1894 in Dedham, Carroll County, IA. 

In young manhood he was tall and slender, with brown eyes and black hair.

In 1915, when he was 21 years of age, John entered into wedlock with 18-year-old Helen Marie (Scott) Davis (1896-1957), sometimes known as "Ellen" and "Minnie," a native of Missouri

They bore six known children -- Thelma Grace Shields White, Albert Callingwood Rice, Phyllis Maxine Switzer, Norma Jean Bennett, Kenneth Dwayne Rice, Wallace Wilson Rice and David Lee Rice. The fate of the latter two sons is unknown.

During World War I, in June 1917, John at age 24 registered for the military draft. He stated that he was employed as a fireman with the Missouri Pacific Lines Railroad in Haisington (?), Kansas, and was living there at the time.

The Rices moved to Wichita, Sedgwick County, KS by 1920. The census that year shows them making their home on Grand Avenue, with John now working as a truck "chauffeur." Living under their roof was John's 25-year-old brother George, roomer Mandy Rhodes and her daughter Carrie, and boarder Neil H. Hartfield. They remained in Wichita as of 1928 when John was named in his father's Wichita newspaper obituary.

In 1930, John owned his own truck and earned a living as a driver. At some point he made a living in Wichita as the operator of a floor sanding business. In all, he spent four decades in Wichita. 

Their marriage dissolved in separation and possibly divorce during the 1930s. As of 1940, Helen and their teenage daughter Phyllis shared a residence in Delano, Sedgwick County. The 1950 U.S. Census shows John in the residence of his son Albert in Labette County, KS, working on his son's farm.

Circa 1951, he made his home in Altamont, Labette County and held a membership in the local Methodist Church. He is believed to have returned to Wichita in about 1954.

He suffered a heart attack in February 1957 and died in his sleep in the home of his son Albert in Mound Valley at age 64 on Feb. 25, 1957. His remains were laid to rest in Mound Valley Cemetery in or near Altamont. A Wichita Beacon obituary said he was survived by a baker's dozen grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Former wife Helen moved to Colorado after the divorce, where two of her adult children had mada a home. She only lived for fewer then four more months after John's death. She succumbed to the spectre of death on June 13, 1957. Burial was under the sod of Columbia Cemetery in Boulder.

Daughter Thelma Grace Rice (1917-1996) was born on Nov. 30, 1917 in Kansas. She was twice-wed. At age 17, circa 1934, she entered into marriage with her first husband, Charles Henry Shields (1913-1989). Eight known offspring produced by the pair were LeeRoy L. Shields, Freda M. Shields, Larry G. Shields, Kay Frances English, Helen M. Shields, Archie R. Shields, Diana Gale Cauffman, Rocky L. Shields and Brenda Shields. During World War II, Charles served in the U.S. Army and held the rank of private first class. As of 1950, still in Wichita, he earned income as a linoleum layer for office and residential projects. Their marriage ended with a divorce. In 1957, Thelma made her residence in Boulder, CO. She is known to have been employed as a nurse. Thelma's second spouse circa 1962 was Robert Henry White (1915-1984), originally from Benton County, AR. Robert also was an Army veteran of World War II. He surrendered to the spirit of death in Wichita at the age of 69 on Sept. 1, 1984. His interment was in Wichita's Greenwood Cemetery. Thelma survived for another dozen years. She died at Winslow, AR at the age of 78 on March 1, 1996. A brief death notice appeared in the Tulsa (OK) World. The remains were transported to Mound Valley for burial in the sacred soil of Mound Valley Cemetery. Former husband Charles spent his final years in Arkansas. He passed away there at age 75 on March 15, 1989. Burial was in Douglas Cemetery in Highfill, AR.

• Grandson LeeRoy L. Shields (1935-1990) was born on May 25, 1935 in Wichita. On July 23, 1969, when he was 34 years of age, he married Velva Wood ( ? - ? ). They lived in Wichita. He was the father of Norma Jackson. In about 1987, the family pulled up stakes and moved from Wichita to Neodesha, Wilson County, KS, where their son Rocky was making a home.. With his health in decline, LeeRoy was admitted to Wilson County Hospital in Neodesha where he passed away at the age of 54 on March 22, 1990. Burial was in Neodesha Cemetery.

  Great-granddaughter Norma Shields wed (?) Jackson. She was in Wichita in 1990.

• Granddaughter Freda M. Shields (1938- ? ) was born in about 1938 in Kansas. She tied the marital knot with Elmer "Dale" Chaffin ( ? - ? ). The Chaffins were in Wichita in 1984-1990. Their known offspring -- all needing to be confirmed -- are believed to be Cindy Harwick, Tina Sturges, Sheila Peck, Heather Bartell/Williams, Debra Bottoms, Jason Chaffin and Michael Eugene Ray.   

  Great-granddaughter Cindy Harwick ( ? - ? )

  Great-granddaughter Tina married Matthew Sturges.

  Great-granddaughter Sheila Peck ( ? - ? ) 

  Great-granddaughter Heather Chaffin ( ? - ? ) married Brian Jason Bartell Sr. Their pair of known offspring were Brian Jason Bartell Jr. and Addison Renee Bartell. Sadness blanketed the family when daughter Addison died at just five days of age on Oct. 23, 2008. The infant's funeral rites were held at the First Pentecostal Church in Wichita, with an obituary appearing in the Wichita Eagle. Did Heather re-marry to (?) Williams by 2021?

  Great-granddaughter Debra Bottoms ( ? - ? ) was deceased by 2021.

  Great-grandson Jason Chaffin ( ? - ? )

  Great-grandson Michael Eugene Ray (1972-20210 was born on April 3, 1972 in Philadelphia, the son of Melvin Ray. He was brought to Wichita and raised by the Chaffins. Upon graduation from high school, he found his calling as a truck driver and devoted his working career to that work. Michael was the father of two -- Abigail "Abbey" Ray and Seth Ray. He attended First Pentecostal Church and in his free time liked to camp, fish and raise dogs. Said an obituary, "Mike was a loving young man, who tried to pretend to be tough on the outside, but he had a heart of gold. He was sweet and soft-hearted. Mike loved his family, but his children held a special place in both his life and his heart." He died in Wichita on Aug. 29, 2021. His memorial service was conducted in the First Pentecostal Church. Interment followed in Greenwood Cemetery.

• Grandson Larry G. Shields (1941- ? ) was born in about 1941 in Kansas. He moved to Arkansas where over the years he lived in Fayetteville (1984), Maysville and Siloam Springs (2014).

• Granddaughter Kay Frances Shields (1943- ? ) was born in about 1943 in Kansas. She was joined in matrimony with (?) English ( ? - ? ). They planted themselves in Winslow, AR where they are known to have been in the 1984-2014 timeframe.

• Granddaughter Helen M. Shields (1944- ? ) was born in about 1944 in Kansas. She was united in wedlock with (?) English ( ? - ? ). The pair settled in Springdale, AR by 1984 and in time moved to Neodesha. By 2014 they had uprooted again and resided in Wichita.

• Grandson Archie R. Shields (1947- ? ) was born on July 13, 1947 in Wichita, a twin with his sister Diana Gale. His residence in 1984 was in Grady, AR, in 1990 in Pine Bluff, AR and in 2014 at Calico Rock, AR.

• Granddaughter Diana Gale Shields (1947-2020) was born on July 13, 1947 in Wichita, a twin with her brother Archie. Two days after Christmas 1964, she married Kendrew R. Cauffman (1947- ? ). Their union held over the ebbs and flows of a remarkable 55 years. A trio of children born in this family were Robert Cauffman, David Cauffman and Linda Cauffman. The Cauffmans settled in New Mexico where they remained for 44 years in Carlsbad. Then in 2016 they migrated back to Wichita. Said an obituary, "All who knew her knew her kind spirit, infectious laugh, love of reading and crochet, and her love of family and God. She spent her life in service of those she loved." Sadly, at the age of 72, Diana died in her hometown on May 30, 2020. The remains were placed into eternal repose in Wichita's Greenwood Cemetery.  

  Great-grandson Robert Cauffman ( ? - ? )

  Great-grandson David Cauffman ( ? - ? ) has been a companion of Cindy McCoy.

  Great-granddaughter Linda Cauffman ( ? - ? ) tied the marital cord with Rogert Thomas ( ? - ? ). 

• Grandson Rocky L. Shields (1949-2014) was born on Oct. 9, 1949 in Wichita. For many years, Rocky made a living as a miner, oilfield laborer, certified nurse assistant and tow truck driver. He made his residence in 1984 in Sonora, AR. As of 1990, he dwelled in Neodesha, KS. On July 6, 1993, in Miami, OK. he wed Lisa Kough ( ? - ? ). Their combined family of offspring included Dusty Bone, Lynn Bowely, Jerry Bone, Joseph James Bone, Donald Gross, Richard Thornton, Truman Gross, Anthony Thornton, Anneta Bower, Roxanne Stewart and LaWanna Belgrade. Later they pulled up stakes and relocated to Siloam Springs, AR. As a patient in Siloam Springs Regional Hospital, at age 65, he passed away on Oct. 20, 2014. An obituary said he had been preceded in death by twin grandchildren Sypress Marie Stewart and William Jackson Stewart. 

  Great-grandson Dusty Bone has lived in Saratoga, WY. 

  Great-grandson Lynn Bowely was in Indiana in 2014. 

  Great-grandson Jerry Bone settled in Siloam Springs, AR.

  Great-grandson Joseph James Bone put down roots in Wichita, KS.

  Great-grandson Donald Gross has made his dwelling-place in Arkansas

  Great-grandson Richard Thornton was in Fort Leonard Wood, MO in 2014. 

  Great-grandson Truman Gross planted himself in Arkansas.

  Great-grandson Anthony Thornton relocated to Haven, KS.

  Great-granddaughter Anneta Bower migrated to Indiana.

  Great-granddaughter Roxanne Stewart has lived in Siloam Springs, AR.

  Great-granddaughter LaWanna Belgrade has dwelled in Kansas.

• Granddaughter Brenda Shields ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). She married (?) Davis ( ? - ? ). Her dwelling-place in 1984 was in Fayetteville, AR and in 1990 was in Neodesha, KS. She was deceased by 2014.

Son Albert Callingwood Rice (1920-1988) was born on June 4, 1920. At the age of about 25, on Jan. 5, 1946, he was joined in wedlock with Wilma Lois Dudgeon (1918-1987), daughter of William and Nettie (Crostly) Dudgeon of Salem, KS. They settled in August 1946 in the Altamont/Mound Valley community in Kansas and stayed put for good. The pair did not reproduce. Over the years he was self-employed as a farmer and also a carpenter. Sadly, Wilma passed away in the Labette County Medical Center at age 69 on April 13, 1987. Her obituary was printed in the Parsons Sun. Albert only outlived her by about a year. He died in Wichita at the age of 67 on April 1, 1988. As he had done for Wilma, Rev. Larry Myers again led the funeral rites. Burial was under the sod of Mound Valley Cemetery in Labette County. 

Daughter Phyllis Maxine Rice (1923-1974) was born on Oct. 26, 1923 in Wichita. She was young when her parents separated, and in 1940 she dwelled with her mother in Delano, Sedgwick County, KS. Phyllis first wed Herman Carl Schaar (Aug. 6, 1913-1987). The marriage ended in divorce. Later, in May 1950, she tied the knot with Vern Switzer ( ? - ? ). Circa 1957, her address was 226 Athenian in Wichita. Then in the early 1970s, their dwelling-place was in Cherryvale, KS. Sadly, Phyllis was cut away by the grim reaper of death in Coffeyville Memorial Hospital on Oct. 21, 1974, just five days shy of what would have been her 51st birthday. An obituary said her "death was unexpected" and that she "had lived in this area for 15 years." Burial was in Mound Valley Cemetery, with the rites presided by Rev. Daniel Mulvihill. Ex-husband Herman died in Canon City, CO on Dec. 9, 1987.

Daughter Norma Jean Rice (1927- ? ) was born in about 1927 in Kansas. She married (?) Bennett ( ? - ? ).

Son Kenneth Dwayne Rice (1931-2007) was born on Dec. 29, 1931 in Wichita. His childhood years were spent in southeast Kansas and at a school in Healing Springs, AR. He was married twice in his lifetime. On Feb. 2, 1951, at age 19, he tied the cord with 17-year-old Thelma Nadine Oakes (Oct. 5, 1934-1956), a native of Greensburg, Iowa County, KS who had been in Wichita since about age two. She was the daughter of Elmer Calvin Oakes of 2711 West Elm in Wichita. They became the parents of three -- Sherry Belinda Rice, Yelonda Jean Rice and Mickey Wayne Rice. Their address in 1956 was 429 LaClede, Wichita, and they held a membership in the Pentecostal Church. During their brief marriage and child-raising years, they experienced the typical dramas such as when their two-year-old son was bitten on the nose by a dog in May 1956. They were together for only five years until her death in Wichita's St. Francis Hospital on June 26, 1956. The Wichita Eagle published an obituary. Burial was in Wichita Park Cemetery. The grieving Kenneth migrated to Colorado and in 1957 resided in Boulder, CO. Then on June 6, 1960, in Kansas City, KS, he again entered into marital union with Beverly Helen Barnes (Oct. 13, 1941-2003), daughter of Walter T. and Maxine (Barker) Barnes. The pair were 10 years apart in age. They moved to Harrison, AR where their son Mickey is known to have grown to manhood. They bore more children together -- Terry Rice, Kenneth Rice, Ronnie Rice and Robin Huntzinger. Eventually they moved to Wheaton, MO. Said an obituary, "Through the years he worked as a truck driver for Claridge Trucking in Harrison, Arkansas. He enjoyed all types of sports and also enjoyed trading things with other people... He enjoyed life to its fullest and took pride in providing for his wife and family." Beverly worked in setting up Wal-Mart store facilities and employed by Levi Strauss Company as a seamstress. Sadly, Beverly died on March 21, 2003 in the emergency room of South Barry County Hospital in Cassville, MO. Kenneth endured as a widower for four more years. Death swept him away at the age of 75 on March 8, 2007 at St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Joplin. He was survived by an astonishing 48 grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren. They sleep side-by-side for all eternity in Mound Valley Cemetery.

• Granddaughter Sherry Belinda Rice entered into marriage with (?) Vance and settled in North Glen, CO.

• Granddaughter Yelonda/Yellanda Jean Rice was joined in wedlock with (?) Cannon. Her dwelling-place in 2003-2012 was in Oswego, KS.

• Grandson Mickey Wayne Rice (1954-2012) was born on Jan. 7, 1954 in Wichita. He was only two-and-a-half years of age at his mother's unexpected death. He may have accompanied his father in a move to Colorado but in short order settled in Harrison, AR where he spent his growing-up years. He became a truck driver by occupation and also worked in a number of muffler businesses. He and (?) Piese ( ? - ? ) were married -- she the daughter of Paul and Daisy Piese of Oswego, KS. He was the father of six -- Allen Rice, Preston Rice, Mickey Wayne Rice Jr., Roxana Ziegler, Becky Marks and April Burrows. They were in Oswego in 1982 and later planted themselves in Baxter Springs, KS. Mickey belonged to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Pittsburg, KS. He liked to make blankets and crochet fabrics. On Feb. 8, 2003, in nuptials held in Rocky Comfort, MO, he married Lori A. (George) Pease (Jan. 4, 1967-2009), daughter of Norman and Linda (Newberry) George of Columbus, KS, and stepdaughter of Marion J. Holt. Lori had spent her childhood in various places such as Porum, OK, Columbus, KS and Vinita, OK. She previously had been wed to and divorced from Robert Pease and brought a trio of stepchildren into the second union -- Jason Pease, Mason Pease and Cassandra Copher. They stayed together in Baxter Springs until cleaved apart by her death. She too liked to crochet as well as collect dolls. Sadly, believed to have been stricken with cancer, Lori was gathered away in Joplin, MO's Freeman West Hospital at the age of 42 just two days after Christmas 2009. Mickey died unexpectedly at home at the age of 58 on May 18, 2012. The body was lowered into eternal repose in Mound Valley Cemetery.

  Great-grandson Allen Rice lived in Columbus, KS in 2009 and then with his widowed father in Baxter Springs, KS in 2012.

  Great-grandson Preston Rice moved to Quapaw, OK where he made a home in 2009, followed by a move to Hollis, OK. 

  Great-grandson Mickey Wayne Rice, Jr. was in West Fork, AR in 2012.

  Great-granddaughter Roxana Rice tied the marital cord with (?) Ziegler. They remained in Baxter Springs, KS. 

  Great-granddaughter Rebecca "Becky" Rice entered into wedlock with (?) Marks and planted themselves in Joplin, MO.

  Great-granddaughter April Dawn Rice (1982- ? ) was born in 1982 in Labette County Medical Center. News of her birth was announced in the Parsons Sun. She first was united in matrimony with (?) Hilton. She was in Riverton, KS in 2009. By 2012, she had married (?) Burrows and was in Quapaw, OK.

• Grandson Terry Rice moved to California.

• Grandson Kenneth Rice II has made a home in Monett, MO.

• Grandson Ronnie Rice migrated to El Paso, TX and also has lived in Welch, OK (2007).

• Granddaughter Robin Rice was united in matrimony with (?) Huntzinger. Circa 2003, she was in Afton, OK and in 2012 in Chelsea, OK. 

~ Son George Wilson Rice ~

Son George Wilson Rice (1895- ? ) was born on Jan. 9, 1895 in Dedham, Carroll County, IA. 

As an adult, he was tall and slender, with light brown eyes and dark brown hair.

When required to register for the military draft during World War I, George was single and listed his home address as 210 North Washington Avenue in Wichita, Sedgwick County. He reported that he was employed as a farm hand by Clare Shull in Early,  Sac County, Iowa. 

In 1920, George worked as a common laborer and boarded in the Wichita home of his brother and sister in law, John A. and Ellen Rice.

He later married Zatha Nelson (1900-1978), daughter of (?) and Mary Frances Nelson and stepdaughter of Ernest W. Simons of Wichita. 

Together they produced one son, George Nelson "Corky" Rice.

George and family made their dwelling-place in Wellington, KS as of 1928 when he was named in his father's newspaper obituary. 

The 1930 census shows this family boarding in the home of Zatha's brother-in-law Orville and Hertha Nelson, in Wichita, with George employed as a laborer in odd jobs. Later, he spent most of his working career in construction. 

Their home in the 1950s was located at 236 South Athenian in Wichita. George was named in the 1957 news obituary of his brother John.

George died at the age of 75 on Feb. 11, 1970, with funeral services provided by Culbertson Mortuary. Burial was made in White Chapel Memorial Gardens in Wichita, and an obituary published in the Wichita Eagle. At the time, George's only surviving sibling was his sister Clara Rice, living in California.

Zatha survived her husband by eight years. At the age of 77, she joined him in death on Feb. 16, 1978. A memorial fund was arranged with Wichita State Bank to receive contributions for her son.

Son George Nelson "Corky" Rice (1928-1980) was born in 1920. A bachelor at the age of 21 in 1950, he lived with his parents in Wichita but had no occupation. He does not appear to have married or to have reproduced. By 1978, he had moved to his final residence, Grouse Valley Manor, a senior living community in Dexter, KS. He died on Dec. 8, 1980 at the age of 52. Burial was with his parents and grandmother Mamie in White Chapel Memorial Gardens. A brief notice of his death was published in the Wichita Eagle, which said that he was survived by his cousin Glenda Nelson of Copeland.

~ Daughter Leona (Rice) Galbraith ~ 

Daughter Leona Rice (1897- ? ) was born in July 1897 in Kansas.

She entered into marriage with Charles Galbraith ( ? - ? ).

The Galbraiths put down roots in Alva, KS where they dwelled in 1928. 

Nothing more about them is known.

~ Son William Sebring "Willie" Rice ~ 

Son William Sebring "Willie" Rice (1900-1977) was born on May 30, 1900 in Derby near Wichita, Sedgwick County, KS.

As an adult, he was tall and slender, standing 5 feet, 10½ inches tall and weighing 170 lbs., with blue eyes and light brown hair.

William was required to register for the military draft during World War I. He stated his home address as 155 North Emporia in Wichita, and that he was employed in farm labor for H.L. Hildinger of Nash, Oklahoma. He claimed his next of kin was his mother Mamie, also of the same address. Then on Dec. 4, 1920, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and attained the rank of corporal. He served until discharge on July 15, 1921.

When named in his father's 1928 newspaper obituary, he was residing in Washington State. The 1930 federal census enumeration shows him in West Linn, Clackamas County, OR, boarding in the Crown Willamette Hotel, earning a living as a restaurant cook.

During World War II, the 41-year-old William again had to register for the military draft. At that time, they dwelled in Portland, OR, at the address of 106 Northwest First Street. His employer was the Union Pacific Railroad, working as a roadmaster for an extra gang located at The Dalles, an inland port in Oregon. He disclosed that the person who would always know his address was Mrs. Viola Hanson of Ashton, ID. The registration clerk noted that he had a scar over the left eye and that he was missing the little finger of his right hand.

Portland, OR, with Mount Hood in the distance

On May 5, 1956, at the age of 55, he entered into marrige with Mae Ruth (Belmer) Lindsey (March 1, 1898-1967). Their wedding ceremony was conducted in Stevenson, Skamania County, WA. Justice of the peace Ruth G. Miles officiated. May had been married previously and brought two stepdaughters into the union with William -- Dorothy Elizabeth Brumwell and Lucille Mary Lockmiller.

Then in 1959, when he obtained a delayed birth certificate, he lived at 927 Northwest 24th Street in Portland. He received a railroad retirement pension in later years. 

Sadly, Mae Ruth passed away in 1967.

On Nov. 4, 1968, widowed and retired and living at 2066 Northwest Glisan Street, Portland, he tied the knot with Doris Juleatta (Smith) Shipley (April 15, 1908- ? ). She was the daughter of George Franklin and Cora Bell (Booth) Smith of Spokane and at the time was divorced. Circuit Judge Alfred T. Sulmonetti officiated. They were together for 18 years until the separation of death.

The angel of death spirited William away in Multnomah, OR on May 18, 1977. The remains were lowered into honored rest in Willamette National Cemetery.

Copyright © 2002, 2005, 2009, 2011, 2021, 2024 Mark A. Miner