James P. PRICE, a leading farmer and stock-raiser of Tingley Township, is a native of England, born in Herefordshire, September 10, 1832, the second of seven children of Thomas and Anna (PRITCHARD) PRICE. In 1832 his parents immigrated to America, coming on an English sail vessel, and were thirty-one days makint the trip. They landed at New York City, and from there went to Joliet, Will County, Illinois, and made that county their home the rest of their lives. The mother died in November, 1863, and the father in April, 1877. Two of their sons, George and Thomas, were soldiers in the war of the Rebellion, members of the One Hundredth Illinois Infantry, and George was killed at the battle of Chickamauga.

James P. was reared on a farm, receiving but limited educational advantages, as his father ws too poor to pay for his schooling, and when sixteen years old was unable to read. After that age he went to school four winters, and thus learned the rudiments of an education. He remained with his parents until twenty-two years of age, when he went to Wisconsin, and was employed in a saw-mill, and afterard learned the cooper's trade, which he followed until failing health bade him seek out-of-door employment, and accordingly he engaged in farming.

In 1871 he returned to Will County, Illinois, and lived on the home farm until after the death of his father, and the following year, 1878, moved to Ringgold County, Iowa, and settled on the farm where he now lives, on section 26, Tingley, Township, where he owns 160 acres of choice land, under good cultivation. His farm buildings are comfortable and commodious, and his stock of cattle and hogs are of the best varieties.

Mr. PRICE was married in Wisconsin, July 4, 1863, to Elvira (sic) F[elicia]. HIGDAY, a native of Rock County [Wisconsin], daughter of Henry and Polly (POTTER) HIGDAY. They have three children - Grant B., Ada M. and Flora M.

In politics Mr. PRICE has always been a Republican, casting his first Presidental vote for John C. FREMONT, and his last for James G. BLAINE.

NOTE: James' brother George PRICE enlisted as a Corporal on July 29, Channahon, Illinois, and was assigned to Company G of the 100th Illinois Infantry. He was killed at the Battle of Chicamauga, Georgia, on September 19, 1863. James' brother Thomas Price enlisted from Joliet, Illinois as a Private on July 28, 1862, and was assigned to Company G of the 100th Illinois Infantry. Thomas was mustered out of service on June 12, 1865 at Nashville, Tennessee.

Henry Daniel HIGDAY was born at Solon, Cortland County, New York, on November 18, 1802, the son of George HIGDAY Jr. (1772-1843) and Elizabeth (DUNHAM) HIGDAY (1781-1855). He married at Solon, New York, on November 18, 1828, to Pauline "Polly" POTTER. Henry died October 31, 1860, Evansville, Rock County, Wisconsin, and was interred at Maple Hill Cemetery, Evansville. Pauline "Polly" (POTTER) HIGDAY, daughter of Stephen (1777-1846) and Lydia POTTER (1771-1851), was born March 24, 1806, and died March 10, 1888, with interment at Le Mars Memorial (a.k.a. City) Cemetery, Plymouth County, Iowa.

Anna (PRITCHARD) PRICE ws born in 1800, England, and died on November 28, 1863, Joliet, Will County, Illinois. Thomas PRICE died at the age of 63 years on November 28, 1863. Thomas and Anna were interred at Zarley (also known as DesPlaines) Cemetery, Joliet, Will County, Illinois.

Alvina's name has been spelled as "Elvira" or "Elvinia" or "Alvinia." Alvina Felicia (HIGDAY) PRICE was born November 3, 1846 in Wisconson, and died at her home near Tingley, Iowa, on November 7, 1898 at the age of 51 years. James P. PRICE died on October 15, 1910. James and Alvina were interred at Tingley Cemetery, Ringgold County, Iowa. James and Alvina were the parents of three children:

1) Ada May PRICE, born 11 Apr 1866, Albany WI
    married 1899, Tingley IA to A. O. LEE
    Child: Helen Leone LEE, born 26 Nov 1900
    Child: Charles J. LEE, born 20 Apr 1901
    Child: Lucile LEE, born 04 Oct 1904

2) Grant Burgan PRICE, born 03 Sep 1864, Albany WI
    married 06 Nov 1901, Cedar Rapids IA Irene BAILEY

3) Flora Emma PRICE, born 17 Jun 1873, Will Co. IL
    married William LUKE
    Child: Gladys LUKE

SOURCES:
Biography & Historical Record of Ringgold County, p. 388, 1887.

American Civil War Soldier Database, ancestry.com

WPA Graves Survey

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, March of 2009

Biographical Sketches Pages Index: A - F,   G - L,   M - R,  S - Z