Not all men order their lives to their liking; nor yet are all men true to themselves in living as nearly to their ideals as possible and attaining to such heights as their talents and opportunities render accessible. We now turn to one who has done much and has done it well, wherein all honor lies. Not a pretentious or exalted life has been his, but one that has been true to itself and its possibilities, and one to which the biographist may revert with a feeling of respect and satisfaction. He was born in Wayne township, Montgomery county, Ohio, August 5, 1829, and is a representative of one of the old Pennsylvania families. His grandfather, Solomon Price, came by team from the Keystone state to Ohio and purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, on which he lived until his death. He passed away at the advanced age of eighty-four years. His wife was in her maidenhood Miss Moyer, and they were the parents of thirteen children, all of whom reached years of maturity.

David Price, the father of our subject, was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, in 1801, and accompanied his father on his removal from the Keystone state. Here he married , Miss Sarah Long, a native of Preble county, and she was more than ninety years of age when called to her final rest. In early life, David Price had learned the weaver's trade, but during the greater part of his business career he carried on agricultural pursuits. He was a member of the United Brethren church and died in that faith, in Montgomery county, 1855. In his family were three children, namely: Isaac N., of this review; Emanuel L., a retired merchant living in Marysville, Ohio; and Catherine A., widow of D. J. Randall, a resident of Piqua, Ohio.

Mr. Price, of this review, spent the days of his youth in Wayne township, Montgomery county, and is indebted to the common school system for the educational privileges which were accorded him. At the age of fifteen years, he started out to make his own way in the world, being employed as a farm hand by the month. His attention was given to such work for about four years. Later he served a two years' apprenticeship at the cooper's trade, receiving forty-five dollars in compensation for his services during that period. For three years he worked for the man to whom he was apprenticed, mastering the business both in principal and detail. He then returned to the farm, and after two year spent in agricultural pursuits he entered a store at Smithville, as a clerk. Two years were passed in this clerical position, after which he went to Dayton and for one year acted as janitor of a clothing store. On the expiration of that period, he accepted a clerkship in the clothing store of Salvador Schaffer, with whom he remained for one year, when he secured a stock of goods to be sold on commission. Removing to Tippecanoe City, he opened a store with a stock valued at eight hundred dollars, and for nine years he there engaged in business, meeting with excellent success, his trade steadily and constantly increasing until it had assumed extensive proportions. On his retirement from mercantile life, he purchased a farm of one hundred acres, near Covington, and for one year devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits, but at the end of that period came to Troy, where he accepted the general agency of the Aetna Fire Insurance Company of Hartford. He took up his abode in Troy, in 1868, and carried on the insurance business for ten years, when he was injured in a runaway. Having recovered, he joined J.B. Bennet, of Cincinnati, in the organization of the Andes Fire Insurance Company, becoming one of its stockholders and serving as adjuster for the company until 1873, when he embarked in the grocery business with F. P. Brichbell. That connection was maintained for eight years, during which time they carried on a large and profitable business. Mr. Price then sold his interest in the partnership and invested his capital in land in Miami county. He owns seventy-five acres in Staunton township and one hundred and sixty acres in Union township, and from his farms he derives a good income. He also served as secretary of the Troy Water Works from 1886 until 1896.

On the 12th of November, 1861, Mr. Price was married to Miss Mary Young, of New York city, a daughter of Peter and Rhoda Young. Mrs. Price came to Tippecanoe City, Ohio, about 1859. Our subject and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, with which they have been connected for more than thirty years. He is a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows lodges, of Troy, and in his political views is a Republican, but has never sought nor desired the honors and emoluments of public office, preferring that his time and attention should be given entirely to his business affairs. Everywhere in our land are found men who have worked their own way from humble and lowly beginnings to positions of prominence in connection with the business interests of the locality in which they reside. Such a one is Mr. Price, and through the legitimate channels of trade he has acquired a handsome property, becoming one of the substantial citizens of his adopted county. He has a wide acquaintance and his genial manner and courteous disposition have gained him the respect of all who know him.