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12. Mattie Steely Rice (Martha) (Married John M. Thatcher (11) on 12 or 13 March 1884 in Allen, Ohio (according to LDS). John's obituary says the 12th, the wedding certificate and Mattie's obituary say the 13th).

 

Born: 7 April 1863 of Anthony C. Rice (23) & Susanna Rebecca Steely (24).

Died: 3 December 1904 of consumption at the age of 41; she is buried at Forest Cemetery, Circleville, Ohio, Lot 126, Section 33 with John Thatcher.(GPS: 39° 36.975' N; 82° 56.708 ' W).

[Her siblings included:

Emma May Rice (Married Henry Renick). Born: 13 March 1865. Died: 13 December 1895;

Katie Viola Rice (Married Alex Renick) Born: 1 July 1867. Died: ?, buried in California;

Jennie Hays Rice (Married William Howard Wanamaker) Born: 26 January 1872. Died: 9 May 1950, buried Union Cemetery, Columbus, Ohio. (This was Aunt Jennie, who Hazel Kirk Thatcher (6) lived with prior to marrying Charles Albert Leach (5) )]

 

 

Left: Mattie and John's certificate of marriage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Miscellaneous: Mattie and her husband had two children, Russell Rice Thatcher and Hazel Kirk Thatcher (6). Her children were 18 and 19 years old when she died.

 

 

 

 

 

Below: Mattie's pitcher and rocking chair.

 

One of Mattie’s obituary reads, “Mrs. Mattie Thatcher, wife of John Thatcher, died this morning at half past five o’clock at her home North Court street. Mrs. Thatcher had been ill with consumption for the past four years, but was confined to her bed but four weeks. Deceased was the daughter of Anthony C. and Susanna Rice and was born in Pickaway township, April 7th, 1863. She was united in marriage with Mr. Thatcher, at Lima, March 13, 1884. The husband and two children, Hazel and Russell, survive. Her aged mother and two sisters, Mrs. Alexander Renick of Springfield, and Mrs. W. H. Wanamaker of Columbus, are the surviving members of her immediate family. Her sisters have been with her for the past two weeks. The funeral will be held at the late residence, Monday afternoon at 2 o’clock, Rev. D. S. Tappan officiating. Interment will be at Forest Cemetery. Mrs. Thatcher was a member of the Darby, Presbyterian.”

A second tribute to Mattie states, “Mattie Rice Thatcher was born April 7th, 1863, died December 3rd, 1904. She was the daughter of Anthony C. and Susannah Steeley Rice, and was married to John M. Thatcher, March 13th, 1884; she was an invalid for several years, a victim of dread consumption. Her patience and ambition were truly wonderful, even when her case seemed hopeless to others she was always brave and cheerful and ever ready to minister to her family. While she could not for some time visit her friends she was ever ready to give every one a cordial welcome to her home, never would speak of her condition, always pleasant and cheerful. Even when death seemed near she was brave and resigned to her fate, begged her friends not to grieve for her, said she had put herself in the hands of her Heavenly Father and felt that his grace was sufficient. The gentle sweet disposition that characterized her whole life never forsook her. Dear patient self-sacrificing wife, mother and daughter will be sadly missed, but through our tears will try to say ‘Thy will be done.’ She leaves to mourn her loss, husband, two children, Hazel and Russell, mother and two sisters, Mrs. Alexander Renick of Springfield, and Mrs. Wm. H. Wanamaker of Columbus. She was a member of the Presbyterian church for ten years. The funeral services were held from her home December 5th, conducted by Rev. D. S. Tappan in a beautiful and impressive manner. The hymns ‘Come Unto Me’, ‘Thy Will be Done’; and ‘My Faith Looks Up To Thee’ were read by the pastor. The pallbearers were Henry C. Renick, Elijah Thatcher, Wm. H. Wanamaker, Geo. F. Grand-Girard and Alexander Stevenson. Burial at Forest Cemetery. The many beautiful floral tributes sent by friends showed the love and esteem in which she was held."

 

 

 

Left: Tombstone Below: cemetery plot marker. Photos were taken on September 25, 2005.