Lockley, Fred. "History of the Columbia River Valley, From The Dalles to the Sea." Vol. 3. S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1928. p. 215. ROBERT BENJAMIN RICE Enterprising, methodical and forceful, Robert Benjamin Rice made his efforts count for the utmost and was regarded as one of Portland's leading contractors. He accomplished much as a city builder and the guiding axiom of his life was hard work and a square deal to everyone. A native of Ohio, he was born February 6, 1860, and was a lad of five years when his parents, Robert and Phoebe (Young) Rice, went to Michigan, settling in the vicinity of Ravenna. He was reared on his father's farm and received a public school education. On Christmas day of 1882, Mr. Rice was married in Muskegon, Michigan, to Miss Mary Young and for twenty-four years they made their home in that city. Turning his attention to navigation interests, Mr. Rice engaged in steamboating on Lakes Muskegon and Michigan and was admitted to a partnership in the Crosby Transportation Company, which owned a number of ships plying on Lake Michigan. In 1902 he yielded to the lure of the west and located in Portland, realizing that this was destined to become one of the chief cities of the Pacific coast. In 1906 he was joined by his family and in the meantime had become well established in business. He was one of the first contractors in the Holliday and Irvington additions to the city and his ability, foresight and sagacity enabled him to win and retain a position of leadership in that field of activity, in which he continued until his death on the 24th of February, 1923. More than one hundred of the fine residences in Irvington and Holliday were erected by Mr. Rice. His operations along construction lines were continued for twenty-one years and were of direct benefit to Portland as well as a source of individual prosperity. His buildings were constructed with thoroughness and skill and his commercial transactions always balanced up with the principles of truth and honor. Mr. Rice is survived by a widow and five children. Archie, the eldest, was associated with his father and has continued in the contracting business with gratifying success. He married Miss Amanda Grootveldt, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, and they have two children, Archie Homer and Bessie Lou. Harriet is the wife of Robert Steinke of Portland and the mother of three children, Robert Rice, Frank Henry and Mary Frances, Frank T., who lives in Los Angeles, California, married Miss Louise Kauffman, by whom he has a daughter, Barbara Ann. Mildred M. and Mary G. who complete the family, are at home. While a resident of Muskegon, Mr. Rice became a Mason and was also identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. His interests were closely allied with those of Portland, whose progress he furthered to the extent of his ability, and was a citizen who would have been a valuable acquisition to any community. He was a model business man, a devoted husband and father and a loyal, steadfast friend. In every relation of life Mr. Rice measured up to high standards and his death was a distinct loss to Portland. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in September 2007 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.