page 268:
Rev. R. L. VANNICE is one of eight surviving members of a family of twelve children born to Isaac and Elizabeth (JONES) VANNICE. The father was a Kentuckian and a farmer by occupation. He moved to Indiana at an early day, then to Illinois and finally to Missouri, where he died at a good old age. His children who are living are Susan M., Peter T., Lucy A., Will J., James F., A. P., Richard B. and R. L., whose name heads this sketch. He was educated for the ministry at Fulton, Mo., under the instruction of the celebrated Dr. Nathan L. RICE, the great debater, and in 1876 began preaching the Gospel. He was pastor of the church at Nevada for five years, and also did evangelistic work in different portions of the county. The following seven years he was pastor of the church at Greenfield, and president of the Ozark College, at Greenfield, for two years, and was also president of the board of trustees for five years. He came to Marionville in 1888, and is evangelist of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, for Lawrence County. In 1879 he was married to Miss D. L. FAIN, who died in 1883, leaving one child, Charley E. Two years later Mr. Vannice married Miss Ida, a daughter of Prof. John and Emma TURRENTINE, of Marionville, and by her is the father of one child, Roy B. Mr. Vannice is a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows fraternities.
Return to Lawrence County Biographies