A Wilson Family Tree
Notes for John Randolph Vance
"Portrait and Biographical Record of Lafayette and Saline Counties, Missouri", Chapman Bros., Chicago, 1893, pp. 357-359 (obtained from Google Books):
JOHN R. VANCE, a prominent member of the Saline County Bar, and a leading and influential citizen of Marshall, Mo., received in 1892 the distinguished and deserved honor of being appointed from the Seventh District as delegate to the National Republican Convention held in Minneapolis. For over a quarter of a century closely identified with all the best interests of his county and State, our subject ably represented his constituents in the great political gathering in Minnesota, and through his fidelity and energetic service in behalf of their instructions has won the esteem and confidence of the general public.
The paternal grandfather of John R. Vance was born in the North of Ireland, and was the purser of the first vessel which sailed after the close of the Revolutionary War. James Vance, this worthy ancestor of our subject, built the first house erected in Martinsburgh, Va., and there engaged at his trade of cooper. Later, he became one of the early settlers of Ohio, and named Martinsburgh, Knox County, where he gave his time to agricultural duties until far advanced in life. An energetic, enterprising, and upright man and worthy citizen, he passed peacefully away in his eighty-seventh year.
James Vance was a consistent member of the Scotch Presbyterian Church all his life, and gave to all religious duty and work the conscientious and earnest effort of a true Christian. His son, Andrew Vance, was born in Martinsburgh, Va., April 29, 1808, and removed to Martinsburgh, Ohio, when that country was little more than a wilderness. He was trained in agricultural duties upon his father's farm, and, arriving at manhood, improved a homestead of his own. He held official positions in the county, discharging the duties with honor, and served as Captain in the militia in the boundary trouble between Ohio and Michigan. Politically, he was a Democrat, and in religious affiliation a Presbyterian. He died October 8, 1887, of old age.
Mary J. Agnue, his wife, was born in Pennsylvania April 27, 1809. She was the daughter of Capt. Agnue, who was born in Ireland, and who was a sailor in his youth, and also a master of a vessel, and who settled in Knox County in a very early day, and was engaged in farming when he died. This grandfather of our subject was of Scotch descent, and possessed a strong and earnest character. Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Vance were the parents of six children: Joseph M., the eldest son, lives in McLean County, Ill.; James S. is a resident of Ohio; William was killed by the Indians on the plains in 1858; John R. is our subject; Rowland is a broker in the grocery business in Columbus; and B. Eastburn is a resident of Columbus, in a general merchandise business. The mother of these sons died September 11, 1886, just thirteen months prior to the death of her husband. The excellent couple both attained an advanced age, and commanded the respect and esteem of all who knew them.
Our subject was born July 9, 1835, upon a farm in Knox County, Ohio, near Mt. Vernon. He attended the district school of the neighborhood when a little child, and afterward studied in Hayesville, and taught school, meantime ambitiously preparing himself for college. In 1862, after a full classical course in Kenyon College, at Gambier, Ohio, he graduated with the degree of A. B., and immediately began the study of law in the Buckeye State. After a time he accepted the superintendence of the schools of Columbus, Ind., and was thus engaged one year, when he entered the law department of the University of Ann Arbor, Mich., and graduated in 1865 with the degree of LL. B. Mr. Vance then began the study of law in Columbus, but upon July 9, 1865, located in Marshall, and has practiced his profession here with great success ever since. A part of the time he has been in partnership with T.J. Yerby, associated in the general practice of law, his office being on North Street.
Upon April 9, 1868, Mr. Vance was united in marriage with Miss Annette Wilson, a native of Marshall, and a daughter of William A. Wilson, a Colonel in the Federal army, and attached to the Seventy-first Regiment, E. M. M. Mrs. Vance was reared and educated at her home, and possesses a large circle of friends and acquaintances. She is the happy mother of three bright, promising young people, all preparing to fill positions of honor and usefulness. Minnie is a Post-graduate of the High School; Rufus A. is in his junior year in the Missouri Valley College; and Berenice is at home. Our subject is Trustee and Vestryman in the Episcopal Church, and has been Superintendent of the Sunday-school. He and his interesting family are among the important factors in the social, benevolent and religious enterprises of Marshall, and are universally respected and esteemed. Mr. Vance has always taken an active part in the national and local conduct of political affairs. He has represented his constituents at State and county conventions, as well as at the National Convention of 1892, and in all the duties of each position has clearly demonstrated his ability, energy, intelligence and integrity of character.
[Note: the dates given in this biography for John's birth and marriage do not agree with other sources.]
Middle name is from birth record of daughter Berenice. Also from Ridge Park Cemetery record at http://ridgeparkcemetery.com/V.html.
In information from Ridge Park Cemetery in Marshall, MO, his cause of death is listed as "paralysis".
1870 census
Image 3 on Ancestry.com (Marshall Twp., Saline Co., MO)
Listed as John R Vance, age 32, born in Ohio. Occupation, lawyer. Value of real estate listed as $800, value of personal estate listed as $800. Household consisted of John R., Anna W., and Mary M. Vance.
Note: Some of the information in these pages is uncertain. Please let me know of errors or omissions using the email link above. ...Mike Wilson
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