The Vance family has been indentified with Highland county affairs from a very early period and the members of this widely diffused social connection include a strong element of the county's citizenship.
William Vance, who was born in Fayette couty, Pa., February 8, 1779, was married about 1800 to Rachel Minton, one of the neighboring girls of his native county. In one respect the record of this pioneer pair was unique and perhaps unequaled even in those days of fruitful marriages.
They had twenty children, all of whom but two reached maturity, and one of them, Mrs. Margaret Vance, widow of Thomas Vance, is still living in Washington township.
William Vance died in Highland county in September, 1852, and his wife passed away January 12, 1867. Their son, Jacob Vance, who was born in Pennsylvania, September 18, 1806, came with his parents to Highland county in 1826. Before leaving his native state he married Lydia, daughter of Isaac and Nancy (Zerley) Conn.
The Conns were also Pennsylvanians, who resided in Virginia a while, and reached their new homes in Ohio about the same time that witnessed the advent of the Vances.
Jacob Vance died September 10, 1885, and his wife, who was born October 16, 1814, survived until October 3, 1893. Their family, though not so numerous as that of the father's parents, was quite up to standard in number as will appear from the appended list: William C., a farmer of Clinton county; Anna, who died about the age of forty years; Electa, widow of Col. Van. B. Hibbs; Isaac K., farming on part of the old homestead in Washington township; Lemuel W. and Griffith L., noticed more fully below; Clara E., wife of William C. Larkin, of Hillsboro; and three children who died in infancy.
Griffith L. Vance, who resides upon the farm where his father first settled on coming to Ohio and remained until his death, was born in Highland county, Ohio, April 20, 1851, and had the usual difficulty of the farmers' boys in those days in procuring an education. By going to school in winter and assisting on the farm in summer he arrived at adult years with sufficient learning for business purposes, which he has since greatly increased by observation and reading. He lived single for forty years, and was regarded by his friends as a confirmed bachelor, but finally wisely concluded to take a wife and in June, 1891, was married to Lizzie, daughter of John Glaze, whose parents formerly resided one mile south of the Infirmary farm. Mrs. Vance's grandfather was one of the early pioneers of Highland county, born about 1776 and died in 1857. Mr. and Mrs. Vance lost their first child, Leslie, who died at an early age, but have one bright and promising boy whom they have named Lester G., born September 30, 1894.
Lemuel W. Vance, another of the sons of Jacob and Lydia (Conn) Vance, was born in Hillsboro, Ohio, March 1, 1847, and was first married to Lucy Crow, of Fayette county, who died August 26, 1890. Unto this union were born Anna G., Clarence E., Emmitt G., and Lucy, all attending school in Highland county.
January 26, 1898, Mr.Vance married Sarah E., daughter of Samuel and Nancy (Arledge) Edingfield, a highly respectable family of Highland county. William Arledge, the father of Nancy Edingfield, was born February 27, 1779, and his wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Bradley, was born June 12, 1784.
They were parents of twelve children and came to Highland county in 1809. Mrs. Vance's mother died July 17, 1871, and her father June 3, 1892, their other children being WIlliam J., Elizabeth A., Mary J., James H., John, Samuel, and Charles. Mrs. Vance is the youngest of the Edingfield family and a lady of many excellent traits of character.
A notable event of August 27, 1902, was the reunion of the Vance family, at the grove of Griffith L. Vance. It was looked forward to with great interest by many members of the family, and on the day set a large attendance gratified the hospitable intentions of all concerned. The day was one long to be remembered and was thoroughly enjoyed as a famous social event. Year after year this reunion will be maintained, as an organization has been perfected for that purpose.
Source: The County of Highland: A
History of Highland County, Ohio, from the Earliest Days, with Special
Chapters on the Bench and Bar, Medical Profession, Educational
Development, Industry and Agriculture, and Biographical Sketches, Vol 2 – by Rev. J. W. Klise, A. E. Hough, Editor. Madison, Wis. Northwestern Historical Association. 1902.
Pages 500-501. Available at Google Play -
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03 Dec 2014 update
