WILLIAM W PRICE

William W. Price is a popular and well-known business man of Huron, Atchison county, Kansas. He is a native of the Empire state, his birth having occurred in Monticello, New York, on the 11th of April, 1854. His father, Thomas W. Price, was a native of England and during his boyhood crossed the Atlantic to America, taking up his abode in New York, where he was reared and educated. He became a contractor and builder, following that pursuit in the Empire state until our subject was five years of age, when he came with his family to the west, locating in Brown county, Kansas, where he entered government land. There he has since carried on farming and stock-raising, meeting with creditable success in his undertakings. In his political views he is a Republican, and is a member of the Methodist church. He makes his home in Everest and enjoys the respect and confidence of the entire community. He married Miss Catherine Covert, who was born in New York, and died at the age of sixty years. They were the parents of four sons and three daughters, namely: Selta and Mary, both deceased; Sarah; William W.; Hiram; Atwood; and Byron is also deceased.

William W. Price was reared on the home farm in Brown county and attended the common schools of the neighborhood, but the greater part of his knowledge has been acquired through private study, close observation and business experience, he remained under the parental roof until the time of his marriage, when he located upon a farm of his own and was there engaged in the cultivation of the soil and in stock-raising until 1880, at which time he removed to Pawnee City, Nebraska. There he established and conducted a hardware store, but after four years he sold the business. It had been a successful venture, ill health necessitating this move on his part. He spent about a year in the south, visiting New Orleans, Florida and Havana, Cuba, in the hope of benefiting his health. In this he was not disappointed, and, again strong and well, he returned to Kansas. He established a hardware store in Everest and was thus engaged until 1890, when he sold his interest to his brother, who was his partner in the enterprise. He then engaged in the grain and milling business in Everest until 1896, when he sold out, being appointed to the position of state grain inspector. He located in Atchison and capably discharged the duties of that office for two years. In the spring of 1899 he came to Huron, Kansas, and has since dealt in grain and coal, having a large and constantly increasing patronage. His business methods are commendable, and in all transactions he is straightforward and honorable, thus gaining the public confidence and a liberal share of the public support.

In his political affiliations Mr. Price was for many years a Republican and has taken an active part in politics since attaining his majority. He was elected to represent his district in the state legislature in 1892 and discharged his duties so acceptably that he was re-elected in 1894, being a member of the house for four years. In 1896, on account of the position of the Republican party on the financial question, he severed his connection with the old organization, believing that it had adopted an unwise policy in its advocacy of the gold standard and its limitation of the coinage of silver. He became what is known as a silver Republican and entered into the campaign work of that year under the direction of the state Democratic central committee. He canvassed the state for Bryan and made many speeches, which were well received. In the fall of that year the Democratic candidate for governor, John W. Ludy, was elected, and by him Mr. Price was appointed state grain inspector. In 1898 he was the fusion nominee for congress from the first congressional district, but this district is overwhelmingly Republican and he was defeated, although he made a very creditable race. His influence in political circles is marked and he gives an earnest and loyal support to every measure which he believes will prove of public good.

In 1875 Mr. Price was united in marriage to Miss Maggie Thomas, a daughter of John and Elizabeth Thomas, who came from Pennsylvania to Kansas in 1868, locating in Brown county. Later they removed to Mound City, Missouri. Mrs. Price is a native of the Keystone state, and by her marriage has become the mother of two sons and two daughters, who are yet living. Fraternally Mr. Price is connected with the Knights of Pythias Lodge and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is a Master Mason. As a citizen he is public spirited and progressive, his co-operation being heartily given to all measures calculated to prove of public benefit. He is ever true to his honest convictions and enjoys an enviable reputation in business circles, and in all life's relations he commands the respect of his fellow men.