1905 History of Crawford County Kansas

John Franklin Price, editor of the Cherokee Sentinel and prominent man of affairs in Crawford county, now postmaster of Cherokee, also one of the old-time farmers and business men, took up his home in this part of southeastern Kansas in 1866, before the county was organized, before the Indians, the wild animals and other phases of uncivilization had passed on, and has been identified with the growth and upbuilding of the county as only very few other men now living have been. In various other parts of this work Mr. Price is mentioned for his participation in pioneer affairs, politically and as a newspaper man, and there follows also a brief sketch of the main points of his life history.

Born in Greenbrier county, West Virginia, August 6, 1838, a son of Perry and Melinda (Eagle) Price, both natives of West Virginia, he accompanied the family on their removal to Iowa when he was eighteen years old, and in Taylor county of that state he grew up among rather primitive surroundings, without much schooling, and prepared for a busy career by early actual contact with life's duties. His parents both died in Taylor county, Iowa.

Mr. Price lived in Iowa until 1866, and then, with his young wife, came to Crawford county and made settlement out on the prairie about three miles west of where the town of Cherokee now lies. He put up a rough kind of cabin, such as was typical of all the early homes of the county, and farmed his claim until 1877, in which year he moved to Cherokee and went into the mercantile business. This he also continued eleven years, until 1888, and then took charge of the local weekly paper, the Cherokee Sentinel, on whose pages his name has ever since appeared as editor and proprietor. He has conducted this journal with excellent success, he being one of the oldest men, in point of length of service, in the newspaper business in Crawford county. Mr. Price is a trenchant, effective writer on all matters affecting local affairs, and combining this talent with good business ability he has taken place among the few successful editors and publishers of the county. Also an entertaining public speaker, with definite convictions and well thought out opinions, his services in this regard have been much in demand, at political meetings, old settlers' reunions and other public gatherings. Perhaps no one excels him in knowledge concerning the early history of the county, knowledge based on personal experience and abiding interest in the annals of his county, and his articles along these lines written a few years ago for the Sentinel were greatly enjoyed by all residents of the county. Mr. Price serves as city clerk of Cherokee, and for many times has served as city councilman, treasurer, township trustee and in other offices.

In April, 1866, Mr. Price was married in Iowa to Miss Christina Larson, and the three children born of this marriage are Mrs. Mamie Breyfogle, Harry B. and Miss Jennie Florence.