Conrad V. Priest

Conrad V. Priest, merchant at Sears, was born at Bath, Ontario, Jan. 5, 1847, and is the son of Ezra D. and Alatheria (Shorey) Priest. The senior priets was born in 1809, in Vermont. His earlier business life was passed in the manufacture of carriages in Bath, whither he removed from his native State, and where he was a pioneer. He engaged in a mercantile enterprise there, which he conducted 23 years. A few years before his death he went to Ernesttown, Addington Co., Ont., where he died. The mother was born in Addington County, in April, 1811, and resides in Napanee, Ont.

Mr. Priest passed his childhood, youth and early manhood in Bath, coming thence to Osceola County in 1873, reaching Evart July 3, and proceeding in September of the same year to Sears. He established his mercantile business at first in company with George Hume, who sold two years afterward to William Belfour, the firm style becoming Priest & Balfiour. In the winter of 1879 Mr. Belfour was crossing the Bay of Quinte on the ice, when the horse they were driving broke through and disappeared, dragging the sleigh and its occupants into the water. The horse was drowned, but the men saved their lives. Mr. Belfour took cold, which resulted in quick consumption, and he lived but a few months. Since his death Mr. Priest has conducted his business affairs alone. His average stock represents a cash value of $10,000, and his annual transactions agregate $40,000. He buys every variely of farm produce, and sells everything required by farmers and other patrons. He buys and presses about 500 tons of hay annually, which he sells to lumbermen.

His business location is one of the best in this section of the country.Mr. Priest was thoroughly educated, and possesses fine scholarly tastes. He obtained a comprehensive knowledge of common branches at the district schools, and of classics and higher mathematics in an academy. He has a special liking for geography and history, and is a discriminating reader, keeping himself informed in business channels and current events.

He was married April 15, 1872, to Elizabeth J. Belfour, and they have been the parents of five children, the two oldest of whom died in infancy unnamed. Lillian Irma was born July 13, 1879; Hattie H., Dec. 18, 1881; Nettie M., April 12, 1884. Mrs. Priest is the daughter of Gabriel and Ann (Armstrong) Belfour, both of whom were natives of the north of Ireland. Her mother was killed in October, 1868, near Bath, Ont., by a train of cars while crossing a railroad on her return from a provincial fair. Her father resides in Bath, and is 72 years of age. they had six children, of whom Mrs. Priest is fith in order of birth. She was born in Bath July 16, 1847. she has one sister and three brothers. One brother lost his life, as stated in the account of William Belfour.

Mr. Priest is a Republican in political principle and action.

He is an honored and trusted citizen, and has been Postmaster four years, Justice of the Peace six years, and Township Treasurer five years.

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