Posted on: Hancock Co. Il Bios Forum Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Il/HancockBios/16 Surname: RICE, MYERS, SHAFFNER ------------------------- Biography from "History of Hancock Co.", v. 11, 1921 Rice, Thomas Scott - honored resident of Dallas City, served country during Civil War. Born in Mead KY Jan. 27, 1843, son of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Scott) Rice natives of Indiana and Kentucky. after their marriage, Jonathan Rice and wife located in KY where they remained until the winter of 1847-8 when they came to Hancock County, IL and became merchant of Pontoosuc, prior to that he worked as a carpenter. In 1861 they moved to Henderson Co., IL, and settled on a farm his father in law gave him and his wife. Lived there some years, then moved back to Hancock Co., and conducted a hotel in Dallas City until 1870 when he sold and retired. Children; Alice - now Mrs. G. Wibble; Susan who is Mrs. Roe Carper; Lina who is Mrs. Monroe Schafner Alfred Lear who lives at Fairfield Iowa,; Melissa who is Mrs. Charles Hallowell of Dallas City, and Absolm twin brother of Melissa. In Spring 1862 Thomas Scott Rice who had been reared in Hancock Co., and attended its schools enlisted in Co. H., 78th IL Vol. Infantry at Dallas City, IL. He was sent to Kentucky in pursuit of General Morgan. He was also at the siege of Ft. Donelson, after that went to Tennessee and then to Georgia, participating in 36 battles. He was twice wounded. At the Battle of Chick-a-mauga he was shot in the shin bone, also in the left breast near the heart. While with General Sherman on the march to the sea, he was taken prisoner but was able to retain his revolver and he shot the guard and he and other soldiers whom the guard was holding escaped and joined the command of General Kilpatrick who was nearby with his cavalry. Mr. Rice participated in the Grand Review at Washington and was discharged in June 1865. He returned to Dallas City and for some time thereafter worked by the month on neighboring farms then rented land in Henderson Co. for 2 years, then moved to farm north of Dallas City. After working on construction of the CB&Q railroad for 5 years, he conducted a farm owned by Benjamin Barrington in Knox Co., IL for 3 years then returned to Dallas City and conducted a fish market til he retired. On December 20, 1868 he married Elsie L. Baldwin born in Warren Co., IL, daughter of Daniel and Sarah (Hopper) Baldwin. Mar. and Mrs. Rice had 2 children - William and Harry both at home. He is a Republican and has held local offices and could have held others if willing. He is a member of the Allen Post No. 621 GAR of Dallas City. He has won and retained warm personal friendship of its leading men and be them and all who know him, he is held in the highest esteem.