Portrait and Biographical Record of Kalamazoo, Allegan and Van Buren Counties, Michigan: Containing Biographical Sketches Of...citizens...governors of the State, and ...presidents of the United States [Page 556 & 557] : Chapman Brothers  (1892)

Mr. Henry Hice was born December 26th, 1821, in Wheatfield Township, Jefferson Co., PA. His grandfather, William Hice, removed at an early day from New Jersey to Pennsylvania, and engaged in farming operations there until his death. By his first union, he became the father of two sons: John Hice and Samuel Hice. His second wife, whose maiden name was Amelia Stewart, bore him four children; Henry Hice, William Hice Jr., George Hice and Sallie Hice. The father of our subject, whose given name was John Hice, was born in 1791, in Indiana County, Pennsylvania, and when quite young learned the trade of blacksmith. In 1844, he removed overland to Michigan, the journey consuming eighteen days. He settled in St. Joseph County, MI, where he died at a good old age. His religious belief brought him into membership with the Presbyterian Church, and in his political affiliations, he was prominent in the ranks of the Democratic party.

The mother of our subject was known in her maidenhood as Margaret "Peggie" Milliron, and was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, in 1791, where her father, Phillip Milliron, engaged in farming operations. Henry Hice received a district school education in his childhood, and at the age of thirteen, left home to learn the trade of a tanner, which he followed until he came to Michigan in 1844. Here he located in St. Joseph County, MI with his father and aided him in farming operations, but, in 1847, he removed to Schoolcraft, Kalamazoo County, MI, where he rented a farm for three years. Later he bought forty acres, which, after clearing and improving, he sold about 1873 (1863 ?), and settled in the town of Portage, Kalamazoo County, MI.

In the spring of 1867, Mr. Henry Hice located on Section 29, Columbia Township, Van Buren County, MI, and from there removed three years later to Section 31, where he now resides. The tract of eighty acres he had purchased prior to coming to the county, and, after settling upon it, devoted his energies to clearing and improving the land. In his political belief, he was a Democrat prior to 1856, but sine that year has been an active Republican. He was married, August 3, 1845, to Miss SARAH A. HINDERLITER, daughter of Michael and Sarah (Knarr) Hinderliter, natives of Pennsylvania. Her father followed the trade of a carpenter, and passed his entire life in the Keystone State, where his death occurred. He and his wife were members of the Evangelical Church, and the parents of six children; Mrs. Hice, who was the second in order of birth, was born April 5th, 1827, in Northumberland County, PA. Eight children have been born of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Hice, namely; Mary Hice, wife of William Perkins; Anna Hice, who is now Mrs. Adelbert Gesler; Catherine Hice, wife of Charles Knowles, a resident of South Dakota; Ellen Hice, who married Thomas Spriggs; George W. Hice, whose home is in South Dakota; William H. Hice and Augusta Hice, at home; and Elmer E. Hice, also of South Dakota. Both our subject and his wife were formerly identified with the Evangelical Church, but, since living in Michigan, have been connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are active members thereof.