Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 259 - 260 

GEORGE PRICE, an old soldier of the Union, and a native of Clinton County, Ind., came to Southern Kansas with his family in the fall of 1880, and located in Salem Township on section 28, where he still resides. He has, by a life of industry and economy, provided himself and those dear to him with a comfortable homestead, being now the owner of 160 acres of good land, where he carries on farming and stock-raising, and realizes annually a good income. We give the main points in a history of more than ordinary interest as follows:

      Our subject was born on the 19th of August, 1838, and is the son of Lewis and Melinda (Baker) Price, who are supposed to have been natives of Virginia. His paternal ancestors were of German birth and parentage, and his grandfather, George Price, Sr., a soldier of the War of 1812, raised at that period a company of volunteers in the young State of Ohio, over which he was appointed Captain.

      The father of our subject was reared to manhood in Ohio, and the parents, after their marriage, settled in Clinton County, Ind. Of their nine children four are now living, namely: Evan, of Wichita, this State; Jacob, of Clinton County, Ind.; Mary J., the wife of George Eubank, of Clinton County, and George, of our sketch. Those deceased are Elizabeth, Sarah J., John, Eliza and William.

      Lewis Price was one of the pioneers of Clinton County, Ind., where, with his estimable wife, he spent the remainder of his days, and died on the 14th of June, 1867. The mother preceded her husband to the silent land, her death taking place May 9, 1862. George, of our sketch, was reared to man's estate in his native county, and received a limited education in the pioneer schools. He was twenty-three years of age at the outbreak of the Rebellion, and a few months later, in August, 1861, enlisted in Company G, 26th Indiana Infantry, which was assigned to the Army of the frontier, and operated in Missouri and Arkansas. He participated in the battle of Prairie Grove soon afterward, besides meeting the rebels under the Confederate General, Price, in various minor engagements and skirmishes in that region. Subsequently the regiment was transferred to the eastward, where young Price, with his comrades, assisted in the siege of Vicksburg, and after its capitulation was transferred with his command to the vicinity of New Orleans, where a part was ordered up the Mississippi to a point called Morgan's Bend, where they again met the rebels, and where a portion of the Union soldiery was captured, including Mr. Price among the number. This was in the fall of 1863. Our subject languished in the Southern stockade at Tyler, Tex., eight weeks or more, and was then transferred to the rebel stronghold at Shreveport, La. Thence he was taken back to the Tyler prison, from there went into Marshall, Tex., and again back to Tyler, where he was exchanged in August, 1864, having suffered an imprisonment of ten months, lacking seven days.

     Our subject, after his release from the Confederates, rejoined his regiment in Louisiana and remained with it until the expiration of his term of enlistment. He then received his honorable discharge in August, 1864, having served his country faithfully for three years, and like thousands of others, experienced the hardships and privations, a large part of which are among the unwritten records of the war. During his imprisonment he suffered greatly in health, from the effects of which he has never recovered to this day.

      Mr. Price, upon leaving the army returned to his old home in Indiana, and the year following was married, on the 14th of December, to Miss Mary J. Ross, the wedding taking place at the home of the bride in Clinton County. Mrs. Mary Price was born April 1, 1843, in Clinton County, and is the daughter of James and Hannah (Milburn) Ross, natives of Indiana and pioneer settlers of Clinton County. The father was killed in 1864 in a collision on the L. & I. R. R. The mother now lives in Frankfort, Ind. Mr. and Mrs. Price commenced life together in a modest manner on a farm in Indiana, and their union in due time was blessed by the birth of ten children. Their eldest son, James G., was born Feb. 11, 1867; Lewis B., Oct. 14, 1868; Jacob E., March 9, 1871; Oliver W., Jan. 28, 1873; Charles S., Sept. 30, 1874; Minnie B., who was born Jan. 22, 1877, died July 21, 1878; William F. was born Jan. 20, 1880; Jessie O., June 16, 1882, Hannah A., Jan. 8, 1884, and Melinda Olive, Feb. 25, 1888.

      Mr. Price, upon coming to this county, settled at once on his present homestead, and acknowledges that the improvements which the passing traveler now views with admiring eye are largely due to the assistance and encouragement of his devoted wife. They have "pulled together" in their labors and sacrifices, and now, in the enjoyment of a competence, are only in possession of what they so well deserve. Both are members in good standing of the United Brethren Church, in which our subject has served as Class-Leader several years, besides being Steward and Superintendent of the Sabbath-school. Politically, he votes the straight Republican ticket, and has served as School Director in his district. The various enterprises inaugurated for the general welfare of the people have invariably enlisted his sympathies and attention, and he contributes of his means accordingly. No man is more widely or favorably known within the limits of Salem Township than George Price.

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