8) James Harmon Price: Elected reeve for the Village of Welland in 1874 & 1875

Vital statistics

Birth: November 16, 1819 at Thorold, Ontario, Canada

Death: August 6, 1895 at Welland, Ontario, Canada (age 75)

Burial place: Fonthill Cemetery (Brown’s South, row 38)

Parents: Aaron / Charlotte (née Buckbee)

Spouse: Adelaide H. (née Wilson)

Children: Lillias A. / Edgar Wilson

Occupation: Farmer

Religion: Episcopalian

Political affiliation: Liberal

Community affiliations: Town Councillor / Treasurer of High School Board / President and Treasurer of County Agricultural Society

Profile

James Harmon Price was born in Thorold Township, Welland County, on November 16th, 1819 to Aaron and Charlotte (née Buckbee) Price, his family’s heritage being Welsh. His grandfather Elisha Price had previously owned a large sugar plantation in the West Indies and arrived in Canada shortly after the American revolutionary war as a United Empire Loyalist. He brought his son Aaron, settling his family in the county of Norfolk, just west of Haldimand. Aaron, upon his coming of age, decided moved to Welland County around 1800, purchasing farm property near what would later become the village of Welland. Aaron participated for a time in the war of 1812, but his experience as a mechanic saw him transferred to a department that constructed vessels for supply transport. Aaron ultimately died near Welland in 1846.

His son James Harmon, our subject, was brought up on the family farm (remaining a farmer his whole life) and he was educated at common schools. In 1844 he married Adelaide H., a daughter of Lewis and Susan (née Hull) Wilson.

Probably influenced by his father Aaron, James also took part in the military, helping suppress the Upper Canada Rebellion of 1837. By 1861 he was commissioned a lieutenant of a Welland company, and after that he became captain of the Wainfleet militia.

He was first elected to the town council of Welland as one of the four councillors for 1873. That was also the popular Andrew Gregory Hill’s last year as reeve before he moved to Niagara Falls. James Harmon Price must have made a good impression in his first year on council, for he took advantage of the vacuum afforded by Hill’s exit and ran for reeve in 1874 against John Dunigan, whom he beat 109-83. In 1875 James was elected reeve again, this time unopposed. That was more due to accident than adulation, as John Dunigan had every intention to run for reeve against Price again, but Dunigan was declared ineligible for that election based on a technicality.

James Price’s two years as reeve were not necessarily marked by any notable firsts for the municipality or council, rather he was at the helm that saw a time of steady progress for Welland. The population was steadily increasing in the 1870s due to construction of the Third Welland Canal (built between 1872 and 1881). In 1878 Welland upgraded from village to town status. James did not run for council again after his second stint as reeve in 1875. His reasons were not reported in the newspapers that survive, but it likely has to do with his busy schedule. He of course had full-time duties that come with running a farm. In fact many articles appeared in the Tribune over the years reporting on his successful crops. For example from June 4, 1886: “Mr. J. H. Price… has wheat so heavy in the head that it is beginning to lodge already. Welland yields the palm to no locality for agricultural excellence.” But beyond that he was very active in multiple community organizations. He was treasurer of the High School Board for 15 years, served as Magistrate for Welland County for 40 years, and he was also credited as being one of the most prominent and useful members of the Welland County Agricultural Society, for 23 years filling either the office of president or of treasurer.

At his death in August of 1895, the most heartfelt words spoken publicly came from said agricultural society: “We, the officers and directors of the county of Welland agricultural society, desire to place upon record the high esteem in which our deceased friend was held by this society. For nearly a quarter of a century his untiring efforts have been directed to the welfare of the society, being always ready and willing to do his part and assist his neighbor. For honesty and uprightness of character we believe he was unexcelled – and he always had a kind word for those with whom he mingled. It is with the deepest regret that we are called upon to meet the loss of so genial and influential a member.”

James and Adelaide had two children: Lillias and Edgar. An enduring reminder of James Harmon Price’s legacy is from the names of three streets in the area he used to own considerable property. Edgar St. and Lillias St. are named after his children, and they intersect with Price Ave., these are all just south of Thorold Rd. to the west of Niagara St. The family home was located at what is now 165 Edgar St. It was built as early as 1850 and was passed to James in 1870. It was renovated and expanded in 1911, and today is known as the Price-Petrie house. It is not currently a designated property on the City of Welland’s website, but featured in past historic tours by heritage groups. The included photograph is from a 2002 newspaper article about the house, as unfortunately no photographs can currently be found of James himself.

Sources

“Heavy Wheat.” Welland Tribune, June 4, 1886.
“Heritage properties ooze history.” The Tribune, August 24, 2002.
“Late J. H. Price.” Welland Tribune, August 30, 1895.
“Welland.” Welland Tribune and Thorold Mercury, December 31, 1874.
“Welland Historical Society.” Evening Tribune, October 21, 1989.
Welland Tribune Printing House, “The History of Welland County” (1887), 571.
“Welland’s Respected Dead.” The Globe and Mail, August 8, 1895.