John B. Rice | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromIllinois's1st district | |
| In office March 4, 1873 – December 17, 1874 | |
| Preceded by | Charles B. Farwell |
| Succeeded by | Bernard G. Caulfield |
| 24th Mayor of Chicago | |
| In office May 3, 1865 – December 6, 1869 | |
| Preceded by | Francis Cornwall Sherman |
| Succeeded by | Roswell B. Mason |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1809-05-28)May 28, 1809 Easton, Maryland, U.S. |
| Died | December 17, 1874(1874-12-17) (aged 65) Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Mary Ann Warren |
| Residence(s) | Chicago, Illinois |
| Signature | .png) |
John Blake Rice (May 28, 1809 – December 17, 1874) was an American actor, theatrical producer and politician. He served as the mayor of Chicago,Illinois (1865–1869) as a member of theRepublican Party.
Rice was born inEaston, Maryland, and made his acting debut inAnnapolis in 1829. His first professional role was as Uncle Barnwell inGeorge Lillo'sThe London Merchant.[1] He toured up and down the East Coast, as well as in theWest Indies. While living inPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, he married into a local theatre family.[1] By 1839, he moved his family toBuffalo, New York, where he managed a theatre during the summers. In winter, he managed a theatre inAlbany.[1]
Rice arrived in Chicago in 1847 to work as an actor and entertain the politicians at theRiver and Harbor Convention, Chicago's first national convention. He decided to stay and establish a permanent theater, calledRice's Theater. On July 30, 1850, in the middle ofVincenzo Bellini's operaLa Sonnambula, a fire broke out in the theater. Rice addressed the crowds, saying "Sit down. Do you think I would permit a fire to occur in my theater?" The crowd sat, but a prompter stage-whispered to Rice that the theater was on fire and panic ensued. The theater was destroyed, and he lost about $4,000. When a benefit only raised $60, he left Chicago forMilwaukee, Wisconsin.[2]
Rice returned to Chicago in 1851 and built a new theater, entirely of brick. He hiredJames McVicker to serve as manager, and was active in the theater until 1857.
In 1865, near the end of theCivil War, Rice ran for mayor of Chicago as a very conservative Republican. Aided by the end of the war and the subsequent assassination ofAbraham Lincoln only days before the election, Rice won easily.
Rice was sworn in as mayor on May 3, 1865.[3]
As mayor, Rice was anti-labor, and he vetoed a plan to enforce aneight-hour work day. This veto led to a spontaneous demonstration on May 1, 1867, by workers which led to the internationalMay Day observance. The City Council eventually overrode his veto.[4]
Rice and the City Council were connected with graft, prostitution and gambling.
Rice was reelectedin 1867.
Rice was defeated in his bid for a third term byRoswell B. Masonin 1869. Rice's mayoralty ended on December 6, 1869, when he was succeeded Mason.[5]
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Rice was elected to representIllinois's 1st congressional district in theUnited States House of Representatives in 1872. While serving in the House, he died fromliver cancer[6] on December 17, 1874, inNorfolk, Virginia.[7] He died on December 17, 1874, in a home he constructed inNorfolk,Virginia.[8] Rice had been in ill health for some time, even before his election to congress, but refused medical treatment.[8] He was survived by his widow and five daughters.[8] He had not sought re-election in 1874, and his death soon after the election raised issues about whetherIllinois GovernorJohn Beveridge was required to appoint a replacement to complete his term.[9] In the end,Bernard G. Caulfield won a special election to complete the term, after having already been elected to succeed Rice. Rice was buried in Chicago'sRosehill Cemetery.
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
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| Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromIllinois's 1st congressional district 1873–1874 | Succeeded by |
