William H. RICE, of the firm MITCHELL & RICE, owners of a dental laboratory at Fort Dodge, is a native of Iowa, born on a farm near Mount Ayr, February 11, 1882. His parents were John and Sarah RICE. His father came to Iowa at an early date, spent his active life as a farmer and is now living retired at Mount Ayr.

Dr. William H. RICE attended school at Mount Ayr and then completed a course in mechanical dentistry and is an expert in the technical work done in dental laboratories, including the making of bridges and the other delicate and marvelous work which has become one of the most important departments of the modern science of dentistry. Doctor RICE is a member of the Dental Study Club.

He is a Republican in politics and has been a member of the vestry of the Episcopal Church at Fort Dodge.

On October 15, 1908, Doctor RICE and Miss Florence Gretchen CLARK were united in marriage. Mrs. RICE was born in Iowa City, July 9, 1882, and is a great-granddaughter of Gov. Robert LUCAS, the first territorial governor of Iowa, who came to Iowa from Ohio, where he had been conspicuous as a public official. Mrs. RICE is a daughter of Augustus L. and Florence (LUCAS) CLARK. Her father was born at Rahway, New Jersey and her mother at Piketon, Ohio, in the old Governor LUCAS home. Augustus L. CLARK came to Iowa in 1849 and soon moved to California, spending five years in the gold mines of that state and on returning to Iowa he invested his fortune in this state. He lived at Iowa City and for many years carried on a business as a building contractor. Mr. and Mrs. CLARK had five children and the three now living are: Miss Caroline, who lives with her sister, Mrs. RICE; Dr. George Warfield CLARK, a dentist at Fort Dodge; and Mrs. RICE. Mrs. RICE attended public school at Iowa City and St. Catherine's Episcopal School at Davenport. She is an active member of St. Margaret's Guild in the Episcopal Church.

Doctor and Mrs. RICE have three children, John Clark, William RICE and Barbara. The two youngest children are twins, born in 1917, and are attending junior high school. John Clark RICE, who was born in 1910, is a student in the School of Commerce in the University of Iowa, is a member of the Delta Tau Delta and has won five letters in athletics.

SOURCES:
HARLAN, Edgar Rubey, LL. B., A. M., Curator of the Historical, Memorial and Art Department of Iowa. A Narrative History of the People of Iowa with Special Treatment of Their Chief Enterprises in Education, Religion, Valor, Industry, Business.  Vol. IV. The American Historical Society, In. Chicago and New York. 1931.

Transcription by Debbie Clough Gerischer, Iowa History Project, January of 2009