Biography - James Price
JAMES M. PRICE, a native of Johnson County, is closely .associated with two of its most important industries as a successful farmer, who is the proprietor of a valuable farm on section 3, Vienna Township, and as an extensive dealer in grain, with headquarters in the village of Vienna. Our subject was born December 21, 1849, and is a son of William H. Price, who was for several years prior to his death a well-known business man of this section. He was brought up on a farm in Tennessee, that being his native State, and in early manhood he came to Illinois, previous to 1840, and first settled among the pioneers of Franklin County. He engaged in selling clocks in this State and Missouri for some four years, and having accumulated some money, he came to Johnson County. He built a mill to be operated by horse power and was employed in milling at the time of his death, in 1854. The people came long distances to patronize him, and as there was much demand for better facilities he erected a steam saw and grist mill, which, however, was not completed when he died. The county lost in him an energetic, enterprising citizen, who was no unimportant agent in forwarding its growth. With characteristic foresight, he had invested money in about two hundred acres of heavily timbered Government land on section 3 of what is now Vienna Township, foreseeing its ultimate rise in value, and while carrying on the lumber business had used a part of the timber on his place, he was married in about 1840 to Amanda McCorkle, a native of Johnson County, and after settling here had built a log house, which was his home the remainder of his days. His wife survived him until 1874, and then she too passed away, and both now lie sleeping their last sleep in private grounds, called McCorkle Cemetery. They were the parents of four children: Joseph H., who resides near Corpus Christi, Tex.; James M.; Emma, wife of A. R. Beard, of Hudsonville, Crawford County; and Mary A., wife of John Keesee, of Carbondale.
James M. Price passed his boyhood in working on his father's farm and in the mill, attending school mostly during the winter terms, and by close application to his studies acquiring a practical education. At the age of eighteen he began life on his own account, obtaining a position as clerk in a store, in which capacity he was employed the ensuing two years. He next worked on a farm for a time, and then tried life in Texas for a year, working at various things while there. Returning to his native county, he bought a farm of one hundred and twenty acres, to which he has added by further purchase eighty acres, and now has two hundred acres of land of great fertility and productiveness. His place, which is under his supervision, is well equipped with buildings of a good class and with all necessary farming machinery, and is well kept in all particulars. In addition to his farming interests Mr. Price, as already stated, is quite heavily engaged in buying and selling grain in company with J. Throgmorton, they having a commodious warehouse near the railway station in Vienna, and shipping mostly to Cairo, where it commands a good market, and is ground or sent elsewhere.
The marriage of our subject with Miss Susan Pierce was solemnized in 1874. Mrs. Price, whose parents are dead, is a native of Johnson County. Mr. and Mrs. Price have lived in the same place since their marriage, and have made it a true home, of whose generous hospitality it is a pleasure to partake. Eight children complete their household circle: Oscar D., Emma, William H., Amanda, James, Walter, Joseph and Charlie. Their daughter Effie is dead.
Mr. Price is among the prominent business men of the town who are so actively carrying forward its interests. He has succeeded chiefly by his own efforts, by close application to his work, and by excellent business methods, and his name stands high with all with whom he has dealings. He keeps himself informed on all topics of general concern, and in politics his sympathies are with the Republican party.
Extracted 17 Apr 2016 from 1893 Biographical Review of Johnson, Massac, Pope, and Hardin Counties, Illinois, pages 151-152.
