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HON. SAMUEL B. PRICE,
one of the most prominent and wealthy citizens of Mauch Chunk,
claims New Jersey as the state of his nativity, for he was born in
Hunterdon County. August 26, 1823. His grandfather, Nathan Price,
was of Welsh descent. The father, Hiram Price, was a native of
New Jersey, and followed farming. He married Anna Barber, who was
born in the same state, and was a daughter of Samuel Barber.
Mr. Price of this
sketch is the eldest of their family. He attended the schools of
Northumberland County, Pa., and acquired a good education. He
then began the study of medicine with Dr. Masser, after which he
took a course of lectures in Jefferson Medical College in
1844-45. Previously, in 1843, he had embarked in the drug
business, and later served as a bookkeeper with the firm of
Packer, Douglas & Co., at Nesquehoning, remaining with them as a
trusted employee for seven years. He then went to Summit Hill as
one of the firm of Bertsch, Leisening & Co., contractors with the
Lehigh Coal & Navigation Company. On expiration of that period he
went to Upper Lehigh, Luzerne County, and engaged in the
management of a store. He was later employed in the Upper Lehigh
Coal Company for nearly twenty years, but in 1885 he removed to
Mauch Chunk and retired from active business life. In May, 1886,
he went abroad, visiting England, Scotland, Ireland, France,
Belgium, Germany and Italy. He spent six months on the old
continent, visiting the many points of interest, historic and
otherwise, and then returned home.
In 1856 Mr. Price was
united in marriage, the lady of his choice being Miss Harriet
Bertsch, of this city. To them have been born the following
children: Harry B., who is now Secretary and treasurer of the
Upper Lehigh Coal Company; Samuel B., who is engaged in the coal
business in Cambria County, Pa; and John B., who is the assistant
cashier in the First National Bank of Hazleton.
Mr. Price has ever
taken a prominent part in public affairs, and in 1856 was elected
Treasurer of Carbon County. In 1889 he was elected Associate
Judge of Carbon County for a period of five years, and is now
acceptably and creditably filling that office. He has also been
the Democratic candidate for Congress. He takes a very prominent
part in political affairs, and does all in his power to promote
the growth and insure the success of his party. His connection
with business interests has added much to the prosperity and
welfare of the city, for whatever he undertakes he carries forward
to a successful completion. He has been actively interested in
the banking business, having been connected with the First
National Bank of Mauch Chunk, the First National Bank of Hazleton
and the First National Bank of Shenandoah. He is a Director in
the Upper Lehigh Coal Company, and for twenty years has been
Secretary and treasurer of the Nescopeck Coal Company. He
possesses most excellent business and executive ability, is
sagacious and far-sighted, and his enterprise and progressive
spirit, which are numbered among his chief characteristics, have
been important factors in his success. His life has been a busy
one, yet he has found time to devote to interests calculated to
uplift humanity, and since the organization of the Young Men's
Christian Association he has been Treasurer, and one of its most
active and prominent workers. He and his wife are numbered among
the best citizens of Mauch Chunk, and hold a high position in
social circles.
Kindly submitted by
Bill Schmitz page 141
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