Family:Richard Price and Louise Neff (1)

Richard Price 1824-1886

PRICE, NEFF

Posted By: Mike Kearney (email)
Date: 12/7/2007 at 18:37:44

The Clinton Daily Herald Tuesday July 27, 1886 p. 3 The community wasdeeply shocked last evening to learn of the sudden death of RichardPrice. An event more unexpected could not have occurred. One so stalwartand apparently so rubust, Richard Price was the last man in Clinton thatone would expect to be suddenly stricken; so full of design and laudableambition for the future, too, his life seemed but half finished, and tobe cut off so unnatural that none could have surmised its possibility.But this lamentable event would have been less unexpected had it beengenerally known that Mr. Price's health had not been good this summer.While steadily attending to the business of his brick-yard up to lastSaturday, he had been ailing to some extent for months past. He had beenchosen one of the pallbearers for the funeral of the late J.T. Pierson,on Sunday, but was not well enough to attend. Monday forenoon Mr. Priceremained at home, feeling too ill to go to his business, yet thinkinghimself betten than on the preceding day. Eating a light dinner, he laydown on a lounge, apparently to take his customary mid-day nap. He wastroubled with a slight vomiting, but soon quieted down, and was supposedto be sleeping. The last seen of him when he was known to be alive wasabout three o'clock in the afternoon. Between five and six o'clock, heson William entered the room and made the dreadful discovery that hisfather was dead. All appearances showed that the end had come peacefullyand painlessly. The deceased had evidently composed himself for sleep,his spectacles had been laid to one side, a paper which he had beenreading was lying beside the lounge on the floor, and his hands werefolded on his breast. The body was yet warm, but the heart and pulse hadceased to beat. To heart disease is attributed the sudden ending of thsuseful life. Death is an awful thing, but as it must come, one cannotbut wish a death so calm and peaceful as that of our lamented townsman.Richard Price was born at Slapton, England, Aug. 13, 1824, and wastherefore nearly 62 years old. He came to America in 1842, first livingin Ohio and thence removing to Galena, Ill., in 1845. In the Mexican warhe did brave service in the Eighth United States Infantry. Mr. Pricemoved to Sabula in 1853, and to Clinton in 1859, engaging here in themanufacture of brick, which vocation he followed to the moment of hisdeath. In 1852, Mr. Price was married to Louisa M. Neff, who surviveshim. One of the most distressing features of his sudden demise was theabsence of this beloved wife and the necessity of breaking the heartrending news to her on her arrival home last evening from Galina, whereshe had been visiting. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Price ,seven of whom survive survive - Henry C., whose headquarters are atDavenport but whose present whereabouts are not definitely known, thoughit is hoped to reach him by telegram; Thos. J., at home; Bertha P., amarried daughter residing near Galina; Richard F., Stella M., and Wm.E., all at home; and Ada P., who arrived today from Galena, where hermother and she had been visiting her sister. Mr. Price was alwaysconspicuous and eminently useful in municipal affairs. For twelve yearshe served as a member of the Clinton City Council and for a term asMayor of Clinton. As city legislator and executor he was distinguishedby firmness, decision, and originality. As Mayor he was a terror toevil-doers, and won the approval of all who favored compliance with lawand the observance of good order. Personally, Mr. Price was unusuallycompanionable and interesting. He had clearly-defined and pronouncedopinions upon all subjects of interest, and was well informed on currenttopics and in general literature. His influence was always thrown in thedirection of right, and with marked weight. The loss of such a man is asevere one to any community, and Clinton keenly feels it. The funeralwill be under the auspices of the Odd Fellows, of which fraternity Mr.Price was an active and honored member. It will occur from the familyresidence on Second avenue, with interment in Springdale Cemetery,tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock. Friends are invited to attend.

RICHARD PRICE, manufacturer of brick; is a native of England; born Aug 13, 1824, he emigrated to America in 1842 ; lived in Ohio, and went to Galena, Ill., in 1845. He served in the Mexican war; enlisted in the 8th Regt. U. S. Infantry, Co. A, the grenadier company of the regiment; served two years. He came to Sabula, Iowa, in 1853, to Clinton in May,1859 and engaged in manufacturing brick. He has held the office of City Alderman for eleven years, and was Chairman of Streets and Alleys, for eight years. He married Louisa M. Neff, a native of Ohio, in September,1852; they have seven children - Henry Clay, Thomas J., Bertha, Richard, Stella, Willie and Ada; they have lost three children.