J. Col. Vance

H. W. Beckwith, History of Vermilion County (Chicago: H. H. Hill, 1879)

page 639

J. Col. Vance, Oakwood, section 20, was born in Vermilion county, Illinois, on the 2d of June, 1844. His father, John W., came to Vermilion county in about 1823 or 1824, where he was one of the first settlers of the county. He was born in Champaign county, Ohio, on the 18th of March, 1782, and died where his son now resides, on the 6th of May, 1857. He was elected representative two terms in an early day. His wife, Deziah Rathburn, was born in Meigs county, Ohio, on the 2d of September, 1813, and died on the 23d of November, 1865. Their family consisted of two sons and four daughters: Horace W.; Helen, wife of J. Wilson, and Bridget A.; J. Col., the subject of our sketch; Lura G., wife of S. R. Tilton, and Josephine L., wife of L. Steele, and three deceased: Marion W., Mariah C. and Joseph C. J. Col. Vance took an active part in the rebellion. He enlisted in 1862, in Co. A, 71st Ill. Vol. Inf., and served his time out, and enlisted in 1864 in Co. F, 26th Reg. Ill. Vol. Inf., and served until the close of the war. He was engaged in the battles of Resaca, Atlanta and others. He was with Sherman on the march to the sea; at the battle of Savannah city, Columbia, South Carolina, Fayetteville, Goldsborough, and was at the general review at Washington, District of Columbia. He returned home in July, 1865, and was united in marriage on the 19th of November, 1868, to Miss Lydia E. Mathewman, born in Jefferson county, Iowa, on the 18th of July, 1851. By their union they have been blessed with four children: Alta D., John F., Alice A., Clara J., and one deceased, -- Frank. Mr. Vance is a member of the A.F. & A.M., Catlin Lodge, No. 285.