James Montgomery Rice

Colonel James Montgomery Rice Juris Doctor
Member of the Illinois House of Representatives
In office January 4, 1871 – March 14, 1872
Preceded by	Unknown
Succeeded by	Unknown
Constituency	Peoria County
Member of the Presbyterian General Assembly
In office 1899–1900
Preceded by	Unknown
Succeeded by	Unknown
Personal details
Born	March 8, 1842 Monmouth, Illinois
Died	April 11, 1912 Peoria, Illinois
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Eliza Rice (m. 1871)
Children	6
Relatives	William Montgomery (2nd great-grandfather) Montgomery Case (nephew) C. Montgomery Marriott (grand-nephew)
Education	University of Michigan (BA)
Alma mater	Michigan Law (JD)
Military service
Branch/service	10th Infantry, Union Army National Blues, Illinois National Guard
Years of service	1861-1864 1875-1896
Rank	Colonel
Commands	Second Brigade
Battles/wars	1877 St. Louis Strike American Civil War Battle of Island Ten Siege of Corinth Battle of Chickamauga Wheeler's Raid Battle of Missionary Ridge Atlanta Campaign Battle of Rocky Face Ridge Battle of Resaca Battle of Dallas Battle of Marietta Battle of Kennesaw Mountain Battle of Peachtree Creek Battle of Utoy Creek Battle of Jonesborough

James Montgomery Rice (March 8, 1842 - April 11, 1912) was an American soldier,^[1][2] lawyer, and public servant^[3] who contributed to the establishment of the United States National Guard.

Rice was born in Monmouth, Illinois to George and Caroline (née Montgomery) Rice. He was named after his 2nd great-grandfather, William Montgomery, whose military and political service was a major influence on his life. Following the First Battle of Bull Run, Rice dropped-out of Monmouth College and enlisted in the 10th Illinois Infantry Regiment. After 3 years of continuous service, which covered 1,000 marched miles and 13 battles, he completed a bachelor degree at the University of Michigan followed by juris doctor at Michigan Law. Following graduation, he went into practice with David McCulloch and was admitted to the Supreme Court of Illinois in 1867, followed by the Supreme Court of the United States in 1890. He practiced law for 31 years.

In 1875, Rice re-enlisted in the National Blues of the Illinois Militia.^[4] Recalling his experience in the American Civil War, Rice was concerned with the organizational structure, lack of standardization in leader qualifications and professional development, low levels of individual and unit training and readiness, and inadequate uniforms and equipment. He began advocating for federal involvement and became the first Chairman of the Committee on Legislation of the National Guard Association of Illinois in 1883. He authored dozens of articles over the ensuing years including "Our National Military System, Military Education and the Volunteer Militia"^[5] in 1888 which was circulated nationwide and caught the attention of the National Guard Association of the United States. He joined the executive staff in 1890 alongside Charles Dick who would become president in 1902 and sponsor the Militia Act of 1903, officially establishing the United States National Guard. In 1892, Rice authored the "Range Manual and Score Record" and "Small Arms Practice for National Guard", which is adopted nationwide.

During the golden age of fraternalism, Rice assisted in organizing the Grand Army of the Republic Bryner Post #67 in Peoria, Illinois. In 1879 he was nominated the first adjutant and served on the national staff from 1894-96. In 1896 his mother, Caroline, established the Peoria chapter Daughters of the American Revolution, honoring her great-grandfather William Montgomery.^[6]

In 1897, Rice was endorsed by the Illinois Republican Party and National Guard Association of the United States for United States Assistant Secretary of War, however George de Rue Meiklejohn won the nomination.

In 1901, Rice authored the "Peoria Overture Plan" which profoundly effected corruption and reorganization of the Presbyterian Church.^[7]

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