Caleb Rice

Caleb Rice (1792–1873) was an American politician and businessman. He was the first Mayor of Springfield, Massachusetts when it became a city in 1852, and the first president of MassMutual Life Insurance Company, now a Fortune 100 company.

Early years

Caleb Rice was born on April 4, 1792 in Conway, Massachusetts. He was the son of Joseph Rice and Betty (Dickerson) Rice. Rice married Marietta P. Parsons, daughter of Israel Parsons, in 1826.

Career

Rice served as the first Mayor of Springfield, Massachusetts when it became a city in 1852, and he was also the first president of MassMutual Life Insurance Company. Rice also served as the third Sheriff of Hampden County, Massachusetts and on the Board of Selectmen of West Springfield, Massachusetts, Additionally, Rice served for five years in the Massachusetts House of Representatives from Springfield. He died March 1, 1873.

Genealogy and family relations

Rice was a direct descendant of Edmund Rice an early immigrant to Massachusetts Bay Colony as follows:

• Caleb Rice, son of
  • Joseph Rice (1768-1823), son of
  • Israel Rice (1742-1833), son of
  • Joseph Rice (1712-1789), son of

• • Phineas Rice (1682-1768), son of
  • Joseph Rice (1638-1711), son of

• • • • Edmund Rice (ca1594-1663)

• Edmund Rice (1638) Association, 2010. Descendants of Edmund Rice: The First Nine Generations. (CD-ROM)