Biographical Note

The Price family arrived in Southwest Virginia from Germany in the 1740s. James Bane Price (called "Gentleman Jim") was born on November 23, 1832, the son of Henry David Price Jr. and Anna Marie/Mary. He married Sarah Jane Winston in 1867, and they had six children: Lula Belle (b. 1869), Samuel Winston (b.1871), Maud (b. 1875), Daisy Winston (b.1883), Ferdinand (died young) and Clara Bane (b.1885).

It is unknown exactly when Price's general store was established, but tax records indicate that the store was built around 1871. (The oldest account book in this collection dates from 1871, but it refers in its first pages to an "old book.") It appears from the account ledgers that Price was not only a supplier of food and goods, but also of credit, as most of the transactions were made through either credit or barter. In addition to grocery products, Price sold such items as clothing, shoes, tobacco, coal, tools, and drugs. While operating as a merchant, Price also engaged in other business and in farming.

Price operated the store until his death in January 1896, after which the store was placed in the hands of his son, Samuel, who leased the store to others. In 1913, the property passed to the hands of Lula Belle, the first of J. B. Price's daughters. The store was later bequeathed by Lula to her niece Ethel Meisel (Daisy's daughter), and Ethel eventually sold the "home place property" (including the store) to Walter L. and Patricia Givens Johnson. The store closed many years ago, but the building is still standing today (2003) and is rented as a residence to Virginia Tech students.

Citation:

The James Bane Price Country Store at Price's Fork, Montgomery County, Virginia.[Prices Fork, VA: P. G. Johnson, 1983?]. (F232 .M7 J35 1983 Spec/Genealogy)

Citation:

Price, H. L., Outlines of Montgomery County Families,Vol. 2. [Blacksburg, VA: s.n., 1940]. (CS69 .P75 Spec/Genealogy)

Citation:

Yates, Anne Hayden and W. Conway Price, comp., Increase in Prices: Some descendants of David And Agnes (Hoffman) Price of 17th century Germany.Ridgecrest, CA: A.H. Yates, c1985. (CS71 .P946 1985 Spec/Genealogy)

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