Individual Details

Thomas settled in Jefferson City, MO in 1831. In 1838, he established mail and stage-lines between St. Louis and Jefferson City. He was the first mayor of Jefferson City. He was elected Lieutenant-Governor of Missouri in 1849. He was elected to the state legislature in 1860.

Appletons Cyclpedia of American Biography; edited by James Grant Wilson and John Fiske. Six volumes., 1887-1889. Edited by Stanley L. Kloss, 1999.
PRICE, Thomas Lawson, contractor, born near Danville, Virginia, 19 Jan 1809, died in Jefferson City, Missouri, 16 July 1870. His father was a wealthy tobacco planter. In 1831 the son settled in Jefferson City, MO. He first engaged in mercantile pursuits and afterward bought and sold real estate. In 1838 he obtained the contract for carrying the mail between St. Louis and Jefferson City and established the first stage line connecting those places. Ultimately he gained control of all the stage routes in the state and became lessee of the State penitentiary. He was chosen the first mayor of Jefferson city in 1838 and was re-elected. In 1847 he appointed brevet major-general of the 6th division of Missouri militia, and in 1849 was elected lieutenant-governor on the Democratic ticket. In 1856 General Price headed a Benton delegation to the Democratic national convenetion that nominated James Buchanan, but was not admitted. In 1860 he was elected to the state legislature and on 21 Sep 1861 was appointed by Gen. John C. Fremont, brigadier-general of volunteers. the appointment expired by limitation, 17 July 1862. He was elected to congress in place of John W. Ried, expelled, and served from 21 Jan 1862 till 3 Mar 1863. In 1864 he was nominated by the Union men for governor, although there was no hope of his election. About this time his health began to fail and his only subsequent appearance in public life was as delegate to the democratic national convention in 8168 where he acted as vice president when Horatio Seymour was nominated. During the greater part of his career Gen. Price was connected with railroads, both as contractor and officer. when a member of the legislature he was largely instrumental in inducing the state to lend its aid to the construction of the Iron Mountain and Hannibal and St. Joseph roads. He was identified with the construction of the Missouri Pacific and Kansas Pacific. Of the former he was one of the first and largest contractors. Besides building the greater part of the Kansas Pacific, he was also a fund commissioner and director of that road, and united with other capitalists in extending the line from Denver to Cheyenne.

Birth	19 Jan 1809	Pittsylvania County, Virginia
Marriage	21 Sep 1838	Caswell County, North Carolina - Lydia Bolton
Death	16 Jul 1870	Jefferson City, Cole County, Missouri

Spouse

Lydia Bolton (1807 - )

Father	Major Price (1779 - 1829)
Mother	Susan Lawson ( - 1822)
Sibling	Nancy Fuqua Price ( - )
Sibling	Sophia D. Price ( - )
Sibling	Martha Allen Price ( - )