Alexander H. Rice
Encyclopedia
Alexander Hamilton Rice (August 30, 1818 – July 22, 1895) was Mayor of Boston
, Massachusetts
from 1856–1857, a U.S. Congressman during the American Civil War
, and the 30th Governor of Massachusetts
from 1876–78.
, to Thomas and Lydia (Smith) Rice. He received business training in his father's paper mill at Newton and he apprenticed in a mercantile house in Boston. He graduated from Union College
in Schenectady, New York
, in 1844. Upon graduating, he became a paper manufacturer and dealer with Wilkins, Carter and Company in Boston.
In 1853 Rice was elected a member of the City of Boston's Common Council
. He became the President of the Common Council in 1854.
Rice served as the first Republican
mayor
of the City of Boston from 1856 to 1857, and a founder of the Republican Party in Massachusetts. During his tenure, the area known as Back Bay was developed.
He served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1859–1867, serving as chairman of the Committee on Naval Affairs from 1863–65.
He died at the Langwood Hotel in Melrose, Massachusetts
, on July 22, 1895.
was a brigadier general in the Massachusetts state militia and a state legislator. His grandson Alexander Hamilton Rice, Jr. was a physician and explorer in South America. Alexander was a direct descendant of Edmund Rice
, an English immigrant to Massachusetts Bay Colony
, as follows:
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
from 1856–1857, a U.S. Congressman during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, and the 30th Governor of Massachusetts
Governor of Massachusetts
The Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is the executive magistrate of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, United States. The current governor is Democrat Deval Patrick.-Constitutional role:...
from 1876–78.
Biography
Born in Newton, MassachusettsNewton, Massachusetts
Newton is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States bordered to the east by Boston. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the population of Newton was 85,146, making it the eleventh largest city in the state.-Villages:...
, to Thomas and Lydia (Smith) Rice. He received business training in his father's paper mill at Newton and he apprenticed in a mercantile house in Boston. He graduated from Union College
Union College
Union College is a private, non-denominational liberal arts college located in Schenectady, New York, United States. Founded in 1795, it was the first institution of higher learning chartered by the New York State Board of Regents. In the 19th century, it became the "Mother of Fraternities", as...
in Schenectady, New York
Schenectady, New York
Schenectady is a city in Schenectady County, New York, United States, of which it is the county seat. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 66,135...
, in 1844. Upon graduating, he became a paper manufacturer and dealer with Wilkins, Carter and Company in Boston.
In 1853 Rice was elected a member of the City of Boston's Common Council
Boston City Council
The Boston City Council is the legislative branch of government for the city of Boston. It is made up of 13 members: 9 district representatives and 4 at-large members. Councilors are elected to two-year terms and there is no limit on the number of terms an individual can serve...
. He became the President of the Common Council in 1854.
Rice served as the first Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of the City of Boston from 1856 to 1857, and a founder of the Republican Party in Massachusetts. During his tenure, the area known as Back Bay was developed.
He served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1859–1867, serving as chairman of the Committee on Naval Affairs from 1863–65.
He died at the Langwood Hotel in Melrose, Massachusetts
Melrose, Massachusetts
-Government:Robert J. Dolan is the mayor. Melrose is represented in the Massachusetts House of Representatives by Paul Brodeur . Katherine Clark is the state senator for wards 1 through 5 and Thomas McGee is the state senator for wards 6 and 7. Melrose is part of the seventh Congressional...
, on July 22, 1895.
Genealogy and family relations
Alexander Hamilton Rice's uncle Charles RiceCharles Rice (general)
Charles Rice was a brigadier general in the Massachusetts Militia, a selectman in Needham, a justice of the peace and a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives.-Biography:...
was a brigadier general in the Massachusetts state militia and a state legislator. His grandson Alexander Hamilton Rice, Jr. was a physician and explorer in South America. Alexander was a direct descendant of Edmund Rice
Edmund Rice (1638)
Edmund Rice , was an early immigrant to Massachusetts Bay Colony who was born in Suffolk, England, and lived in Stanstead, Suffolk and Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire prior to sailing with his family to America. He arrived in the Massachusetts Bay Colony in summer or fall of 1638, presumed to be first...
, an English immigrant to Massachusetts Bay Colony
Massachusetts Bay Colony
The Massachusetts Bay Colony was an English settlement on the east coast of North America in the 17th century, in New England, situated around the present-day cities of Salem and Boston. The territory administered by the colony included much of present-day central New England, including portions...
, as follows:
- Alexander Hamilton Rice, son of
- Thomas Rice (1782 – ca1859), son of
- John Rice (1751 – 1808), son of
- Elijah Rice (1728 – ?), son of
- William Rice (ca1700 – 1769), son of
-
-
- Edmund Rice (1653 – 1719), son of
- Edward Rice (1622 – 1712), son of
-
- Edmund RiceEdmund Rice (1638)Edmund Rice , was an early immigrant to Massachusetts Bay Colony who was born in Suffolk, England, and lived in Stanstead, Suffolk and Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire prior to sailing with his family to America. He arrived in the Massachusetts Bay Colony in summer or fall of 1638, presumed to be first...
(1594 – 1663)
- Edmund Rice
-
Further reading
- A. Lovett Stimson. Recollections of Ex Gov. Rice. The Bostonian Vol. 3, p. 153, Nov.-Dec. 1895