RICH. RICHARDS. 5" As a member of Congress, Mr. Rice is most widely known. He was first elected in 1S76 to the national House of Repre- sentatives, where he at once took foremost rank. He was re-elected in 1878, '80, '82 and '84. He was able in debate, courte- ous in bearing', and firm and consistent in his convictions. Politically, Mr. Rice has long been an honored member of the Republican party, and is on record as the first Republican mayor of Worcester. In the war of the rebellion his voice gave no uncertain sound. In his religious sentiments he is a Uni- tarian. Mr. Rice was united in marriage, Novem- ber 21, 1855, with Cornelia A., daughter of Augustus R. and Sophia H. (Le Clanche) Moen, of Stamford, Conn. Of this union were two sons : the elder, William W. Rice, Jr., dying in childhood, and the younger, Charles Moen Rice, a graduate ot Harvard, and now a member of his father's law firm. Mr. Rice's first wife died June 16, 1862. In September, 1875, hemar- ried Alice M., daughter of Henry W. and Nancy (Merrick) Miller, of Worcester. RICH, ISAAC B., son of Isaac R and Margaret (Lewis) Rich, was born in North Bucksport, Hancock county, Me., February 23, 1827. He received his early education in the public schools of his native town, and in 1846 entered the employment of William l J elby, manager of the old historic National Tin. ure, and has since been connected with Boston play-houses, gradually working his way up to the position of manager and proprietor. His connection with the How- ard Athenpeum dates back to the days of the famous old "stock company." For a short time he himself flourished as an actor. For three years he was treasurer of James Myer's and Nixon & Kemp's Equestrian companies. In August, 1868, he formed a managerial partnership with Joseph Trow- bridge when the Howard Athenneum stage was given up to variety business. During the following season Joseph Hart became a partner, and later John Stetson took Mr. Hart's place, when Messrs. Rich and Stet- son purchased Mr. Trowbridge's interest and continued their partnership for nearly seven years. November 9, 1885, Mr. Rich opened the Hollis Street Theatre, and con- tinues to hold the position of one of the most popular and prosperous of managers. Aside from the exacting demands upon his time and vitality in his theatrical busi- ness, Mr. Rich has for years been the successful proprietor of the well-known " Banner of Light," and has carried on an extensive business in the publication of works relating to Spiritualism. ISAAC B. RICH. Mr. Rich is married and has five chil- dren : Clara Iv, Abbie M., Charles J , George I., and Maude L. Rich. RICHARDS, Fred Gardner, son of William Bradford and J. Amanda (Nelson) Richards, was born in Georgetown, Essex county, May 1, 1854, but when two years ol age removed with his parents to Haver- hill, where he has ever since resided. I le received a liberal education in the pub- lic schools of the city, including the high school, and attended a course at Bryant & Strat ton's Commercial College, of Boston. When eighteen years of age he entered business life with his father, who at that time owned a large livery-stable in Haver- hill. Three years later he took the entire management of the business. In 1885, in addition to his other business, he started the firm of Richards & Dole, undertakers. He also owns and carries on himself a farm of one hundred acres, in Bradford. Mr. Richards was married in Haverhill, January 20, 1881, to Alice M., daughter of Nathan S. and Lucy M. (Swazey) Kimball. They have one child : Alice G. Richards. Aside from attending to his large busi- ness interests, and to the onerous duties
