John Rice
| Date and Place of Birth: | April 1891 McSherrystown, PA |
| Date and Place of Death: | September 27, 1918 Fort Ontario, Oswego, NY |
| Baseball Experience: | Minor League |
| Position: | Outfield |
| Rank: | Private |
| Military Unit: | US Army |
| Area Served: | United States |
John F. Rice was born in McSherrystown, Pennsylvania, in April 1891.
His father, Doctor George L. Rice, was a prominent physician in McSherrystown and justice of the peace, a member of the state
legislature and coroner for Adams County.
John attended Mount St. Mary’s College in Emmitsburg, Maryland, where he
played outfield for the baseball team, center on the football team and
also ran track. In 1915, he played minor league baseball with the
Gettysburg Patriots in the Class D Blue Ridge League.
By 1918, Rice was in military service. Initially with the 6th Company,
2nd Battalion, at the Syracuse Recruit Camp, he was appointed duty as a
clerk in the Personnel Department of Recruiting at Fort Ontario in Oswego, New York.
On September 27, 1918, Rice, aged 27, died at the General Hospital at
Fort Ontario from influenza which he probably contracted while at
Syracuse. He is buried at the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Cemetery in McSherrystown, Pennsylvania.
Thanks to Mark Zeigler for bringing John Rice to my attention. Thanks also to Astrid van Erp for help with photos for this biography.
Date Added: May 8, 2015. Updated July 30, 2017
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