Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2015 All Rights Reserved USGenNet Data Repository Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ ========================================================================= USGenNet Data Repository NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization. Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain the consent of the transcriber prior to use. Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. =========================================================================== Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== A History of Northern Michigan and its People. Vol. II Perry Francis Powers, Lewis Publishing Co., - 1912 [843-844] GEORGE STANLEY RICE, of Petoskey, President of the W. W. RICE Leather Company, is well upholding the prestige of a name that has been one of prominence and distinction in connection with the civic and industrial progress of this favored section of the Wolverine commonwealth, and he is numbered among the essentially representative business men of Petoskey, which has been his home since the days of his youth and in which he has so ordered his cause as to retain secure vantage ground in popular confidence and regard. Elsewhere in this volume is entered a memoir to his honored father, the late WILLIAM WIRT RICE, and thus it is not necessary to repeat the data of the latter's career and of the family history in the present connection. GEORGE STANLEY RICE was born at Crogham, Lewis county, New York, on the 20th of August, 1867, and he is indebted to the schools of his native state for his early educational advantages, which compassed higher academic studies. He early became associated with his father's tanning business, and literally grew up in the same, so that he is familiar with all scientific and practical details of the important line of enterprise with which he has been identified from his boyhood to the present time. Full details con- cerning his father's business career are given in the memoir dedicated to the latter, and reference should be made to the article in question for supplemental information. GEORGE S. RICE was about eighteen years of age at the time of the family removal, in 1885, from Lewis county, New York, to Petoskey, and here he became actively associated with his father in the establishing and operating of the tannery, the original capacity of which was for the output of fifty sides of dry-hide hemlock sole leather each day. He and his young brother were their father's valued and able co- adjutors in the enterprise from its inception, and as straightforward, reliable business men and equipped with thorough knowledge of all details of this line of industry, they have continued the business with marked success since their father passed away, on the 12th of September, 1891. On the 31st of the following December they effected the incorporation of the business under the laws of the state and adopted the present title of the W. W. RICE Leather Company, retaining their father's name as a tribute to his memory and in recognition of his having been the founder of the enter- prise. The plant is one of the largest and best equipped in the State the same being devoted exclusively to the manufacturing of sole leather of the best grade. The enterprise is carried forward along the careful and con- servative lines defined in the policies of its founder and has proved a most valuable contribution to the commercial prestige of Petoskey and this entire section of Michigan. When operated at full capacity the tannery gives an output of three hundred thousand sides of sole leather a year, and the fine products find a ready demand in the market. Like his father, GEORGE S. RICE has shown a commendable interest in civic and public affairs in his home city and county, and he is emphatically progressive and public-spirited. He served one term as supervisor of Bear Creek township, but in politics he maintains an independent attitude and has had no desire to enter the turbulent stream of so-called practical politics. He gives his support to the men and measures meeting the approval of his judgment. In addition to his association with the manufacturing enterprise noted he is also vice-president of the First State Bank of Petoskey, one of the substantial and popular financial institutions of northern Michigan. MR. and MRS. RICE are valued members of the Presbyterian church. On the 4th of December. 1888, MR. RICE wedded MISS FANNIE M. BECKHAM, who was born at Napoleon, Ohio, and who was the fifth in order of birth of the six children of JUDGE WILLIAM and AMANDA (LEMERT) BECKHAM, both of whom were born and reared in Ohio, where the respective families were founded in the pioneer days, and where JUDGE BECKHAM not only served as judge of the probate court of Henry county but where he was also a successful contractor and agriculturist. He removed with his family to Petoskey, Michigan, when this thriving little city was a mere village, and here both he and his wife continued to reside until their death. MR. and MRS. RICE became the parents of seven children, of whom three died in infancy, and the four surviving are: WILLIAM WIRT, YALE, GEORGE STANLEY, JR., and JOHN RICHARD. The family is one of prominence in connection with the best social activities of the community and the attractive home, located on Mitchell street, is known as a center of gracious hospitality. ================================================================================ If you've reached this file through a SEARCH, you can access more of our growing collection of FREE online information by going to the following URL: http://www.us-data.org/ ================================================================================