Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1889

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 214
JASPER O. PRICE, a representative farmer of Muscatine County, residing on section 23, Bloomington Township, was born in Westmoreland County, Pa., on the 16th day of May, 1838. His parents, Isaac and Margaret ( Mains ) Price, who were natives of Pennsylvania, had a family of eight children, of whom he was the sixth in order of birth. His paternal grandparents, Thomas and ( Dorcas ) Price, and his maternal grandparents James and Rebecca ( McGrew ) Mains, were also natives of the Keystone State. The Mains family were members of the Society of Friends. Isaac Price in early life followed the carpenter's trade, but subsequently engaged in farming in Pennsylvania until his death, which occurred in June, 1877, at the age of seventy-six years, his wife preceding him to her final rest in 1863, dying at the age of sixty years.

Our subject was reared to manhood upon the farm, and was educated in a primitive log school-house with puncheon floor, plank seats, and other furnishings of a similar style. Choosing carpentering as the trade which he wished to follow, he served an apprenticeship, after which he followed that occupation for a livelihood. Remaining a resident of his native State until 1875, he then emigrated to the West, locating in Muscatine County, Iowa, becoming a resident on section 23, Bloomington Township, where he still continues to make his home. Two years later he purchased seventy-three acres of fine arable land, which is now under a high state of cultivation, and carries on general farming and stock-raising. This farm is pleasantly situated two and a fourth miles from the business part of Muscatine and but a short distance from the corporation limits. Everything about the place denotes the thrift and enterprise of the owner, and the farm is one of the best in the community.

While residing in Pennsylvania Mr. Price led to the marriage altar Miss Priscilla H. McGrew, their union being celebrated in Westmoreland County, on the 5th day of January, 1865. The lady was born in the Keystone State, and is a daughter of Findley B. and Juliet ( Brinton ) McGrew, also born in Pennsylvania. Her father was a farmer, and remained in that State until his death, which occurred Oct. 10, 1868, in the fifty-second year of his age. The death of her mother occurred in 1863, at the age of fifty-three years. Mrs. Price's paternal grandparents, Samuel and Deborah ( McGrew ) McGrew, were born and reared in Bucks County, Pa., where they lived until their marriage, when they removed to Westmoreland County in the same State., and where later they died. Her maternal grandparents were John and Sarah ( Matlock ) Brinton, natives of Chester County, Pa. The grandfather was a soldier in the War of 1812, belonging to the " American Grays," and his knapsack is now in the possession of Mrs. Price.

By the union of Mr. and Mrs. Price three children have been born: Nellie T., wife of George Otto, is now residing in this county, but has just lately returned from California; Bessie C. and Charles A. are both attending the High School of Muscatine. Mr. Price takes an active interest in political affairs, casting his ballot with the Republican party, of which he is an earnest advocate. His family is held in high regard throughout Muscatine County, and we are pleased to record their sketch in this history.

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