This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/iMB.2ACI/1034.1 Message Board Post: This is to go on the Cole County Historical Society Web site within the next week. It is primarily taken from the Illustrated Sketch Book and Directory of Jefferson City and Cole County, Missouri: John Price was born near Canterbury County of Kent, England, April 5, 1817, and immigrated to the United States when eleven years of age, with his parents, who first settled in Albany, N.Y. They came over in a sailing ship and were seven weeks crossing the ocean. John Price received his education in the public schools of Albany, N.Y. and in Rutland, Vermont. He went to Rutland when 16 years of age to learn carriage painting from Jared C. Burdick, a carriage manufacturer, harness-maker and also a dealer in fine horses, and with whom he made his home as a son. While living with Mr. Burdick he married the second of his three daughters, Lydia Elizabeth, on July 22, 1840, she being seven years his junior. Mrs. Price was born in Rutland, Vermont, November 23, 1824. At the death of his father-in-law he took charge of the business, conducting it successfully until the shop was destroyed by fire, which was a complete loss, the insurance having expired three months previous. After the fire he accepted a position in the shops of the Rutland and Burlington Railway Company in Rutland, painting engines and cars; He later worked in the shops of the Western Vermont Railway and Saratoga Railway Companies. He continued at his trade until his health failed and he moved to Castle Rock, Osage County, MO and settled on a farm, later engaging in the business of merchandising. During the Civil War he had three mail contracts, one between Jefferson City and Rolla, one between Jefferson City and Little Pina on the Gasconade River, and the other between Jefferson City and Castle Rock. He recruited for the 26th Missouri, under Col. Boomer, who was afterward killed at Vicksburg, and while recruiting stopped one night with a man named Getty, who was killed the following night by the Bushwhackers. These same men were after Mr. Price a number of times, and he had several narrow escapes. Mr. Price came to Jefferson City in December 1863, soon after which he joined the Home Guards, and was forced into service as guide for two regiments from Jefferson City to Rolla. He, with Dr. Peabody, acted as Trustees and started the first public school in Jefferson City after the war. At the close of the strife he again engaged in his old trade, painting, in Jefferson City. There was one other painter here at the time, John Ross, with whom he formed a partnership, and continued several years, when the partnership was dissolved, and he worked alone until l897, when he retired at the age of 80. Mr. and Mrs. Price were the parents of nine children: John Jared, made his home in Des Moines, Iowa and traveled for Heath and Milligan of Chicago; Emma Amelia married James E. Ross and lived in Bunker Hill, Ill.; Lillie married Robert Cruikshank of St. Louis, MO; William; Mrs. Julia Davis; Mrs. Elizabeth Ross; Mrs. Jennie Ross; Mrs. Lucy McComb; and May. Mr. Price was a member of the I.O.O.F. He and his wife lived at 308 Madison Street. They were members of the Presbyterian Church.