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The Life of John L Price

JOHN L. PRICE. 

John L .Price was born at Warrenton, North Carolina, March 29, 1840, and died at Olathe, Kansas, July 24, 1908, aged 68 years, 3 months and 25 days.

While the death of Mr. Price was unexpected, still to many it was a surprise. He had been a sufferer for several years, from a stroke of paralysis. He was practically helpless for a long time and he was deprived of the many pleasures of life during his closing years.

Mr. Price was of that solid old Scotch stock, his mother was a direct descendant of the noted painter, Sir Joshua Reynolds. He grew up under the teaching of cultured, well to do parents, who saw to it that the son was properly and liberally educated. He, accordingly, was prepared for college at one of the best academies in the south, which means much, for in his day the south supported many first class institutions of learning, of high academic grade.

At the early age of sixteen young Price was well grounded in Greek and Latin and was armed with a fund of practical information which served him well all his life. He was a great student, loved his books and was a constant reader. After the illness, which brought him down and confined him to his bed, his opinion was sought by many who wanted information which was difficult to obtain. He was usually ready to accommodate his inquirers.

On leaving the academy, soon after his seventeenth birthday, he immigrated to Boliver, Mo., where he embarked in the mercantile business for seven years, when he came to Olathe in 1854, entering the drug business with Mr. J. H. Blake under the firm name of Blake & Price. In 1866 he sold his interest in the drug store and embarked in the grocery and meat business with Mr. E. B. Welsh, under the firm name of Price & Welch. The store was in what was known as the Old Stone Building, where the packing house now stands. Later, Mr. Price erected a building for his business on a lot now occupied by the First National bank. Subsequently he bought the interest of his partner and remained in the business for several years enjoying a most prosperous trade.

In 1887 Mr. Price organized the First National Bank, with himself as cashier. Major J. B. Bruner vice and the two gentlemen gave their best energies to the building up of that strong financial institution, Captain Carpenter and the late Senator Breyfogle being intimately associated with them in the enterprise. Mr. Price remained as cashier until he was stricken with paralysis while in the faithful discharge of his duty at the bank December 20, 1902, from which he never recovered.

Notwithstanding, his disappointment was great, yet he bravely withstood his severe affliction with the courage and resignation of a Christian gentleman, never murmuring, ever patient and kind and appreciative of kindly acts of  neighbors and friends, without hope of recover he silently awaited the summons from the Master, whom he loved and of whom he frequently talked during his long illness.

Mr. Price was one of a family of ten children, five of whom survive him, four brothers, three in North- em Texas and one and a sister who live in North Carolina.

Mr. Price was married to Miss Alice Finley at Boliver, Mo., in 1860 to which union was born twin girls, Mrs. Frank Mahaffie of Olathe and Mrs. F. B. Strode of Kansas City. Mrs. Price died in 1903 and is interred in the Olathe cemetery.

Deceased was a member of the Masonic lodge here and also an Odd Fellow of high rank.

Mr. Price was a generous, kindly man, ever ready to aid those in distress contributing liberally to all public enterprises and was a man greatly loved by all who knew him. He was an enterprising citizen, leading in advancing the material interests of the community, ever ready to bestow his means in the promotion of all enterprises looking towards the development of the country or the city. He served Olathe as mayor for one term and it was during his administration that the water works system was established, Mr. Price taking much interest in inaugurating and installing the plant.

Funeral services were held at the late home of deceased Sabbath evening, July 26th, Rev. N. A. Shedd of  the First Presbyterian church officiating. The local Odd Fellows had charge of the services at the cemetery and the beautiful ritualistic services were rendered at the grave.

The funeral was very largely attended, people coming from all parts of the county to pay their respects to the man who had been so prominently identified with the interests of this part of the state for so many years. It was said that every precinct in the county was represented .

Following were the pall bearers: Major J. B. Bruner, Col. A. G. Carpenter. Col. J. T. Burris, Andy Clemmans, Judge William Pellett and M. G. Miller.

Among those from out of town were the following: Robert Victor, Gardner; Carl Harris, Gardner; Anna Strode, a daughter of Kansas City; E .B. Welch and daughter, Mrs Frank Congelton, of Kansas City; J H. Blake of Kansas City, the book keeper for the firm of Price & Welch, Mr. and Mrs. Schuyler White, James Lamasney, Jr., all of Kansas City; Walker Gates of Rosedale; V. R. Ellis and George Thorne and Art Bigelow of Gardner; E. F. Hollenback of Shawnee and Col. Carpenter of Ottawa.

Olathe Mirror
Page 1 col 3-4
July 30, 1908

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2019.06.24
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Posted by Norman P on 06/24/2019