Zachariah A. Rice

Zachariah Armstead Rice (September 15, 1822 – July 2, 1890) was an American businessman who was prominent in the city of Atlanta, Georgia, in the decades before and after the Civil War. In addition to investments in textile mills, general merchandise stores, and real estate, Rice was a slave trader, Confederate officer, city councilman, and newspaper publisher of the Daily Intelligencer.

Early years and business ventures State Square and Depot - Atlanta. Washington Hall Hotel is in the background Zachariah Armstead Rice was born on September 15, 1822, in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, to Parker Merimunth Rice and Mary Willamina (Bomar) Rice. In 1829, when Rice was about 7, the family moved to Campbell County, Georgia (just west of present-day Fulton County), where his father became an ordained Baptist minister, and established a local church. One year later, the elder Rice co-founded First Baptist Church of Atlanta. Three years later, in 1843, at the age of twenty-one he owned a successful shop of his own. Within four years, his wealth and business expertise had increased to the point that he formed the general merchandise partnership of Rice & Holcomb leasing the Washington Hall Hotel, in Atlanta, as their place of business.

Despite a history of building success upon success, in a focused effort to establish ever-larger businesses in the city of Atlanta, Rice took an abrupt turn toward adventure when he left for the California gold fields in the Gold Rush of 1849. Rice spent four years, mining gold and quartz, in California. His efforts are described as being "somewhat successful".

Among the various business ventures undertaken by Rice, after his return from the California gold fields, is one noted in the 1859 Atlanta City Directory. It lists "Watkins & Rice - slave dealers". and a working farm in Cobb County, as well as other real estate investments. Around 1874, he established a residence at 119 Walton Street, in Atlanta. In 1884 he was once again elected to the Atlanta City Council, for a two-year term. His estate was valued at .