Bloomer House Bed and Breakfast

www.billiecreek.org/lodging/bloomer_house/index.html

History:
During the Civil War Era, Dr. Harrison J. Rice built for his residence and practice what is now referred to as the Bloomer House. For more than eighty years, this Italianate-style building was known as the offices of Drs. Joseph and Richard Bloomer. For decades many residents of Parke County placed their family's health in the hands of these two fine physicians. Today, from its offices in Bloomer House, the Parke County Community Foundation Inc. seeks to continue this heritage of a healthy Parke County community by providing an avenue of charitable giving to donors.

Three period suites were restored by the Foundation to allow the guests to opportunity to experience a civil war lodging decor. Income from the suites is used to advance the Foundation's charitable mission. It is located in the heart of Parke County only 1 block from the Rockville historic town square. Guests also have access to the an outdoor heating swimming pool located at Billie Creek Inn just a few blocks away from the Bloomer House.
HISTORY OF HARRISON J. RICE, BUILDER OF THE BLOOMER HOUSE

*This article is taken from the book Portrait and Biographical Record of Montgomery, Parke County and Foundation Counties, Indiana, published in 1893 by the Chapman Bros. of Chicago.

Harrison J. Rice, M.D., who lives in an elegant home, surrounded by the comforts of life, is a resident of Rockville, Parke County. For the reason that he is now approaching his three-score years and ten, the Doctor is, in a manner, retired from active practice and with his loving wife is now in the enjoyment of his well-earned rest.

The Doctor was born in Shelby County, Ky., August 25, 1823, and as the name would seem to indicate he is of German origin. More than one hundred years ago Daniel Rice, his paternal grandfather, settled in Washington County, Pa., then a part of Virginia. There in the wilderness, with the help of other kindred spirits, he erected Ft. Rice. Hardy and bold were the men who faced the trials and dangers of the day, and often were they called upon to do battle with their savage foes, who roamed the neighboring forests. In these fierce contests Daniel Rice was ever ready to take an active part, and by his bravery won considerable reputation. In this fort, about the year 1796, was born to him a son, Isaac, who afterward became the father of our subject. Amid these rugged surroundings, Isaac Rice grew up tall, deep chested and strong. He was a carpenter by trade, and became very proficient, so much so indeed that he could upon demand turn out with equal facility a house or mill, a bridge or boat, a cradle or coffin. In early manhood, he immigrated to Shelby County, Ky., where he married Miss Narcissa, daughter of James Allen, who came from Rockbridge County, Va.

In the year 1827, Daniel Rice came to Indiana, locating in Montgomery County, where he entered a piece of land one mile north of where Waveland now stands. At once he proceeded to the task of making a home for his wife and little ones, and on that farm he spent his remaining days, and reared a family of nine children, many of whom have since won honors and distinction in the communities where they have resided. Six of these are still living: Harrison J., our subject; James M., a highly respected honorable, Christian gentleman, who still lives on the old homestead near Waveland; Hon. Thomas N., of Rockville, whose sketch appears on another page of this work; Margaret, wife of Levi Sidwell, a retired merchant of Rockville; A. Alexander, one of La Fayette’s prominent attorneys; and Dr. John T., who stands high in his profession in Attica, Ind., and is a surgeon of the Wabash and Illinois Central Railroads.

Politically, Isaac Rice was a Whig and a lifelong follower of Henry Clay. For many years prior to his death, which occurred January 11, 1852, he was a member of the Presbyterian Church. As a citizen and neighbor, he stood well in the community, but it was particularly in the home that his best qualities were seen. It was his grandest pleasure to use his utmost efforts in directing the moral and intellectual training of his children, and though he was not permitted to see the fruits of his labors to any great extent, the good he has done lives after him.

The boyhood days of Dr. Harrison J Rice were similar to those of other farmer lads of his time. During most of the year, he worked hard upon the farm, and attended a short term of school in the winter. He had a receptive mind, however, and made the most of the scanty educational advantages afforded by the primitive log schoolhouse. Later, he entered Wabash College, at Crawfordsville, Ind., where he remained for two years, and there gained a fair knowledge of Latin, Greek and the higher mathematics. About the year 1845, Mr. Rice determined to adopt the medical profession, and accordingly came to Rockville, entering the office of his uncle, Dr. James L. Allen, as a student. Dr. Allen was a man of great skill and reputation in his profession, and performed amputations and many operations requiring great skill long before the discovery of anesthetics. In the office of this eminent physician, the Doctor laid the foundation of that professional and business knowledge which was to serve him so well in after life. He took his first course of lectures at Louisville, Ky., one of his teachers being Samuel D. Gross, the “Nestor of American Surgery.” Later Dr Rice attended Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, graduating from that institution in 1849.

In October of the last mentioned year, the Doctor married Miss Nancy Moxley, of Shelbyville, Ky., who was born in Bourbon County, Her father George Moxley, who came from near Mt. Vernon, Va., was one of the wealthy farmers and stock growers of Shelbyville County, Ky. Mrs. Rice, a lady of slight physique and domestic in her tastes, has been of untold service to her husband, as she is endowed with an accurate memory, good judgment and great practical sense, which have made her a fitting helpmate, and it is but proper and fair to say that much of the prosperity and happiness of their union, which has now lasted more than forty-three years, has been due to the faithful and loving service which she has giving to her husband and children.

To Mr. and Mrs. Rice were born four children, vix.: Victoria, wife of Jeremiah Brown, a printer at Rockville; Henry Haller, a farmer near this village; Catherine, wife of Capt. Frank Stevenson, now a prominent dry goods merchant of Rockville, and lately the distinguished chief officer of the Rockville Light Artillery, a company which under his drilling won the fist prize in competition with the crack companies of the United States; and Leta, the youngest daughter, who died in 1887 at the age of nineteen. Besides the above named, Mr. and Mrs. Rice have reared and adopted the child of the former’s sister, who is deceases, Miss Rena is a young lady of rare literary attainments, and possesses many useful accomplishments.

Immediately after his marriage Dr. Rice formed a partnership with his later preceptor, Dr. Allen, and upon the death of the latter in 1857 the former succeeded to the business. He rapidly rose in the esteem of the people, as from the first he possessed in an eminent degree the faculty of inspiring his patients with confidence in his skill. For a period of over a quarter of a century, he maintained a position of greater influence in the profession than any physician who has lived in Parke County. He was called to all parts of this and surrounding counties, these distant trips frequently taxing his powers of endurance. From 1860 to 1870, prices were remunerative, and one fee of $1450 which he received was the largest sum ever paid to a physician of this locality for services rendered in a single case. During his career he had more than twenty students, many of who have honored him by rising to place of distinction.

For many years Dr. Rice has been an active worker in, and was one of the founders of the Parke County Medical Society, and of the Esculapian Society of the Wabash Valley. By faithful labor and good business management, he has been able to acquire a handsome property of some twelve hundred acres of land, a beautiful home in Rockville, besides valuable property in Des Moines (Iowa), and Chicago. Politically, he is a Democrat, and for years has stood high in the councils of his party, being an associate of such men as Wright, Hendricks, McDonald, and Voorhees. In 1874 he was the Candidate for his State for Congress, but owing to the fact that the district was largely Republican at the time, he failed of election. In the National Convention at St. Louis, in 1888, which nominated Cleveland for the Presidency, he was member.

For years the Doctor was Master of the Masonic lodge of Rockville, and was High Priest of the chapter. He is also a Knight Templar and recipient of the Thirty-third Degree, Scottish Rite. Upon the occasion of laying the corner stone of the new courthouse, September 11, 1879, he delivered an eloquent address. He is a member of and faithful attendant at the Presbyterian Church, to which, as well as to other churches, he is a liberal contributor. For many years past he has been noted as a fine marksman and an enthusiastic sportsman, and one of his favorite companions has been Judge John W. Jones, of Bowling Green, Ky. The Doctor’s home is always open for the entertainment of his many friends, whom he delights to welcome.