Elder son of Mr. and Mrs. William Prince was born in Hamilton County, Illinois, July 1, 1853.  He grew to manhood on a farm and had limited opportunities to secure an education.  After he grew into manhood he secured an education and taught several terms of school.

           He professed faith in Christ at a revival meeting held by Rev. Turntine at Concord school house in Hamilton County in August, 1869, and was baptized into the fellowship of the New Hope Missionary Baptist church by Rev. J. E. Overstreet in November of that year.  He began active work in the churches of the community and from that time until he was disabled by advanced age he gave his time to Christian work.

           In the autumn of 1874 the church of which he was a member appointed a committee of three to confer with him in regard to the work of the ministry.  He felt unworthy of so high a calling and to prevent the church from setting him apart to work, he left the Missionary Baptist church and joined the General Baptist denomination, where his relatives belonged.  But this church also felt that he was called of God for this great work and proceed to license him to preach on the fourth Sunday in August 1875.  He was ordained to the full work of the ministry on the fourth Sunday in February, 1880.  He spent 15 years in the full work of the ministry in the General Baptist denomination, doing both pastoral and evangelical work.  Hundreds to people were lead to Christ and many added to the churches.

            He was not satisfied with the doctrines and practices of that denomination and in 1890 severed his connection with them and again united with the New Hope church in Hamilton County.  On the fourth Sunday in February, 1890, he was ordained by a council called by this church.  He spent 27 years in the ministry in this denomination.  Most of his pastoral work was with country and village churches.  He was pastor of New Hope church for many years and baptized part of his children into the fellowship of that church.  He was one of the leading ministers in southern Illinois and did a great work among the churches.

           He was united in marriage with Miss Emma J. Young on October 1, 1885.  To this union were born eight children, six boys and two girls.  Two boys died in infancy and his daughter, Mrs. Grace Honsel, passed away three years ago.  He is survived by his wife, four sons, Rev. A. E. Prince, of LaGrange, Mo., Wilford A., Hershel P., and Wayne H. of this city (Aledo) and one daughter, Mrs. Harry O___, of this city.  Four brothers and two sisters survive him.

           His last pastorate was with the _________ church at Marston.  He was taken with paralysis on Sunday morning, June 15, 1913.  He remained with his church for awhile longer but was not able to do much work.  He closed his work with that church in May, 1914, and retired from the ministry.  He preached his last sermon in the First Baptist Church in Aledo more than a year ago.

            Four years ago the hand of affliction fell heavily upon him and he has suffered constantly since that time.  Throughout this illness he constantly expressed his desire to enter into rest.  In a letter to his son a few days before his death he said, "Oh, how I long to enter into rest."

           The final summons came at 3?30 o'clock Tuesday afternoon.  His wife and all the children were at the bedside when the end came.  He was unconscious for several hours before death, but before that time had bidden all farewell and asked them to meet him in heaven.

           Born in poverty, inured to hard labor as a farmer, student, teacher and minister, he struggled along through the long stretch of the years of life looking all the while for that city which hath foundation, whose maker and builder is God.  Life held for him many sorrows as well as joys and in this school of affliction God developed him and revealed Himself unto him.  His struggles are over; life's work is well done.  He rests from his labors and his works follow him.  "Let me died the death of the righteous.  Let my end be as was his."

          Funeral services were held from the First Baptist church, Aledo, Thursday, April 26, 1917, at 2:30 p.m.  Rev. J. M. Jones, of Carthage, preached the funeral sermon.  He was assisted in the service by Rev. E. T. Potter and Rev. W. H. Parker, of Aledo and the ministers of the other churches of that city.  The body was laid to rest in the Aledo cemetery.  Aledo. (Ill.) paper.