Silas Eber Price, D. D., president of Ottawa University, Ottawa, Kan., has been connected with this institution since Sept. 1, 1906, and in that time he has labored untiringly to promote its advancement and broaden the scope of its influence. This school was organized in 1860 under the name of Roger Williams University by the Baptist denomination in Kansas, and was chartered by the territorial legislature, Feb. 20, 1860. In December of that year the Ottawa Indians donated the school 20,000 acres of their reservation, though a portion of it was returned to them afterward, but for this gift it was deemed appropriate to name the school Ottawa University when it was incorporated in 1865. (For a more complete history see Vol. II.) At the present time the faculty consists of twenty members and the students number about 400. Though not a large school, the work required of the students is of the highest order and measures up to the full limit of their possibilities. Both the paternal and maternal ancestors of Dr. Price are of Welsh descent. Edward Price, the father of Thomas D. and grandfather of Silas Eber, was born in Wales, but came to America in 1803, located in Ohio, where he plied his trade of weaver and continued to reside until his death. Maurice Jones, the maternal grandfather of Dr. Price, was also a native of Wales and came to America when young, settling in Ohio, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits until his retirement and death.

Dr. Price was born in Newark, Ohio, Feb. 28, 1860, the son of Thomas D. and Sarah J. (Jones) Price, the former born in Newark, and the latter near there. They were both worthy members of the Baptist church and active workers in its behalf. The father was a Republican and took a great interest in political affairs. To these honored parents were born eight sons, six of whom are living and four of the six are engaged in professional work in some of the best educational institutions of our country. Ira M. has been a member of the faculty of Chicago University since its organization. Milo B. is principal of Pillsbury Academy in Minnesota. Homer C. is dean of the Ohio Agricultural College, and Silas Eber is president of Ottawa University. The collegiate education of Dr. Price was obtained at Denison University, Granville, Ohio, where he was graduated in 1884. He then entered the Theological Seminary at Morgan Park, a suburb of Chicago, Ill., and was graduated in 1887. He began his ministerial duties as pastor of the Tabernacle Baptist Church, La Crosse, Wis., with subsequent pastorates in Minnesota and in Milwaukee, Wis., then was called to the pastorate of the First Baptist Church of Ottawa in 1904, and in 1906 Dr. J. D. S. Riggs, then president of Ottawa University, resigned and with unerring judgment suggested Dr. Price as his successor.

On Sept. 8, 1887, at Ontario, Wis., was solemnized the marriage of Dr. Price and Nettie M. Sandon, daughter of Robert and Ellen Sandon. Her father was a native of England, but after coming to America was for many years a successful merchant of Ontario, Wis. To Dr. and Mrs. Price have been born two children: Clair S., a graduate of Ottawa University—class of 1910—is city editor of the Pueblo Leader; and Hattie May, a member of the sophomore class (1910) in Ottawa University.