|
The "Nance Memorial" was
written by George
Washington Nance, pictured below. He was born in
Floyd County, Indiana,
September 28, 1842, and died just a few years after the
book was published
in 1904. He seems to have mainly used
correspondence with the various
Nance 'clans' to compile his book. There is some
documentation included,
but, as he himself says in the book, "Some of the
information received
from more than one source conflicted," so he used his
best judgement in
presenting it. He was mainly interested in his
Nance line beginning
with Clement Nance (1756 - 1828) in Virginia, but he did
include some unconnected
branches in his work.
***DISCLAIMER*** As has been pointed out to me by Dave Nance of the Nance Genealogy Clearinghouse and by my own personal research, the "Nance Memorial" has some very significant errors. Some of what it says about the European origin of the Nances (the French Huguenot idea) has been disputed in later NANCE books. Also with respect to many of the lineages in Part II, for example, the lineage of DAVID NANCE, found in Part II Chapter II, is very badly confused, providing misinformation about his siblings and descendants and inaccurately mixing him up with the line of the Nances who were early settlers in Newberry Co, SC. Other serious errors include the speculation in Part II Chapter III that Reuben Nance was a brother to Clement Nance (b. 1756). There are more. It is very important that, if you cite the "Nance Memorial" as your source, to keep this in mind, and to make a note that the source of that information is the "Nance Memorial", so that if the information is passed on its source will be clear and proper precautions can be taken in accepting it.  This transcription, broken into 5 webpages, was composed to fit a screen resolution of 800 X 600. Any less and some of the tables may wrap. There was not a comprehensive index in the original book, and none is reproduced here. If looking for a particular name, use your browser's "find" function. You can cut and paste from the webpages into a word processor and make a single document, which will be easier to search. |
THE NANCE MEMORIAL
A history of the Nance family in general, but more particularly of Clement Nance, of Pittsylvania County, Virginia, and descendants, containing historical and biographical records with family lineage
GEO. W. NANCE
1904: J.E. BURKE & CO., PRINTERS BLOOMINGTON, ILL.
Come, walk with me, down the aisles of our
ancestral halls;
And learn of those whose hearts and lives were
filled
with love;
Of God, and human love, and crowned by His grace.
Take pride, your ancestry was pure. Of sturdy,
wholesome
stock;
That scorned a meanness or a wrong;
A name which none could mock.
These pioneers who left their homes - new fields
to till
and try;
And dangers brave and trial meet, they made their
mark,
indelible,
And stamped it on the race;
Those yet to come, in honest pride;
To bear an open, fearless face.
Those who in this, the latter day,
Are numbered in "the line" and in "the record"
have a
place;
Do here give thanks and homage yield;
Our brave ancestors - gone.
Joanna Shields-Warren.
Sacred to the memory of Clement Nance;
Preacher, poet, pioneer, judge and patriarch;
Ancestral head of Part I;
This volume is affectionately dedicated
by his great grandson, the author.
The patriarch is the mightiest of kings; he rules
over
countless generations, not with laws written on tables of stone,
but by
the impress of his own character stamped in the nature of his
posterity.
So Ishmael stamped the Arab character more than forty centuries
ago, and
so Abraham became the father of a wondrous progeny, touched
later by Jacob’s
greed. Clement Nance has already laid his wand of empire on
several generations,
and religions, probity, intelligence, and high and holy purpose
is the
message he is sending down the ages. His scepter over
generations yet unborn
is a scepter or righteousness.
(Rev.) N. J. Ayllsworth.
"Blessed is the man that feareth The Lord and that delighteth greatly in His Commandments. His seed shall be mighty upon the Earth; The generations of the upright shall be blessed." Psalm 112: 1, 2.
Motto
#
1: Semper Eadem
Motto
#
2: Per Mare Per Terras
"Semper
Idem"
- The same always,
Whether
the
days be many or few,
"Semper
Idem"
thus we praise,
One
whom
we know to be true.
This
"Coat
of Arms," a race belongs,
Whose
history
is not fully known,
But
that
to Nance - Whose lineage's traced,
In
this Memorial's
by them owned.
To be
of "Semper
Idem" stock,
With
lives
well regulated and true,
Is
honor
greatly to be prized,
The
old gauge
is better than the new.
"Semper
Idem"
Joe.
There
are
two ways of spelling the motto on this coat of arms. Cousin
Joanna prefers
the one generally used, while Queen Elizabeth and the original
owner used
the other form. The meaning is the same, "Always the Same."
The
name
of the original owner is not known, nor is his nationality,
whether English
or French. The origin and history of the larger "Coat of Arms"
is also
unknown.
PREFACE
When the author began the gathering of data presented in this volume, about January 1892, he had no thought of a published memorial. David L. Demorest, father of Mrs. Nance, having prepared his own family tree of eleven generations and twenty thousand names, urged the privilege of doing the same for the author.
Before Father Demorest became too old to use pen and ink, he had placed on the Nance Family Tree, two thousand six hundred and fifty names. The author had become interested and continued the gathering of data. Different persons wrote urging the publication of a Nance history.
After his return from New Albany, September 1901, the author first gave serious thought to the publication of a family history.
The author is under obligation to all those who have furnished data of their own families. These are too numerous to mention.
To those who have gone outside their own families, sending data and assisting in other ways, he wishes to mention by name.
The most prominent of these, doing more than any other, is cousin William Mitchell, mentioned at length at the proper place. Space forbids the mentioning of more than the names of others; James D. Nance, Versalia Inman, Jas. H. Richardson, Mercia P. Oatman. Media Causey, Prof. Chas. W. Shields, Dr. Willis O. Nance, and Herbert A. Barrows, deserve special mention. These are all of Part I.
Clement Nance, ancestral head of Part I, left a trunk full of genealogical manuscripts that were burned when the home of Susan Nance Gresham was destroyed by fire in 1867. No one has been found who has seen the contents, though several remember the trunk and were aware of the nature of the contents. With the burning of that trunk, all knowledge of the ancestry of our honored dead seems to have perished from the Earth.
The author is not aware that any other person has ever attempted to write a history of the family.
A goodly number outside of Part I have taken deep interest in the progress of the Memorial, aiding in every way possible
Only a few of the most persistent and efficient can be named here: J.A. McDaniel, Washington, D.C.; W.E. Nance, Cardiff, Wales; D.C. Nance, Cedar Hill, Texas; Miss Bathenia H. Nance, Murfreesboro, Tennessee; and S.E. Nance and family, Petersburg, Illinois, deserve special mention.
Whole families would have had to be omitted, and in fact some have been, but for the interest taken by others, who, in addition to their own families, have done what they could to supply the lack of interest in their relatives. Should any member of a family who has not personally furnished records, reading this memorial, find his family incomplete or incorrect, let him blame himself for not having insured its correctness, by sending the very knowledge by which he judges of the error herein found.
And now a last word. The author is proud of his work. It is the child of his mature life; the joy of his declining years. He presents it with all of its imperfections, without apology. He has done the best he could. He makes no claim to literary merit. He has tried to "tell the tale 'twas told to him," in common every-day language. The lack of interest on the part of many has been the only source of annoyance, yet he does not complain, for the letters of appreciation have been many and warm.
The work has been a labor of love, in which he has taken great delight. He presents the Memorial as a parent would a fond child, asking that it be received with expressions of dislike over its imperfections; but he would be pleased to have words of approval from those who have longed for its appearance, if it prove not a disappointment.
----------------------The
Author
Bloomington,
IL.,
July 1904
INTRODUCTION
The plan of the genealogical tables in this work is so unique that it may require some explanation, but when understood, is so simple that the most careless may read and trace his genealogy most easily.
As far as is known to the author, no work has ever been published following the plan of this work. The tree form idea was obtained from David L. Demorest, father-in-law of the author. The calling of the generations by the parts of the tree is original in the author.
Beginning with the ancestral head of Part I, he is called the trunk. The trunk divides into limbs, the limbs into branches, they into twigs. The twigs bear buds which bring forth blossoms and the blossoms grow into fruit. So the seven parts of the tree answer to the seven generations of Part I. The ancestors of our trunk, if they were known, might be called roots, as indeed some of the families have more than one generation before the one designated as trunk.
It has been the aim of the author to call the brothers and sisters, cousins, and supposed cousins of our Clement, trunks of their respective families, and where no definite relationship was known, to call those of the same day and generation, as near as may be, the trunk. Thus several of the families have one or more ancestors of their trunk that may be called roots, if one wished to run the simile into the ground.
The advantage is this: Limbs of a common trunk are brothers and sisters. Branches of a common limb are also brothers and sisters. So also are twigs of a common branch brothers and sisters. Twigs having a common trunk, limb, and branch are also brothers and sisters, while twigs having a common trunk and limb, but different branches, are cousins. If, however, the trunk only is common, then the twigs are second cousins. If the trunks also are different, then the twigs are third cousins. Provided, of course, the trunks are brothers and sisters. If, however, the trunks were cousins, then the twigs are fourth cousins. Thus the twigs in the families of William Howe, Zachariah I, David, and Frederick Nance are fourth cousins, positive or supposed.
It is believed that this will simplify the tracing of relationships.
For example, turn to page twenty-five. Here you see Dorothy Nance-Burton, limb one. At the close of her life sketch is a list of her children, or branches. Immediately following, is Clement, branch one. Following his sketch over the leaf to page twenty-six, you see his likeness (not shown in computer edition), and at the close, follow his children, twigs. Now see the first name or twig, you read William E. The surname, Burton, is left off as a superfluous repetition. Following the name is a small 'w', meaning wife, whose full maiden name appears on the next line below. The small 'd' following the 'w' means the person is dead. In the column to the right are the buds. In this family there is but one, Sarah C. The 'h' means husband, whose name appears on the line below, Ross Eldon Witt. Following his name is their address, Clarksville, Iowa. (The address is given when known.) The next column gives the three blossoms; all having companions and addresses. The last column has the fruit, each of these blossoms bearing fruit. Now by retracing this first family in the book, from Dorothy Nance-Burton, limb, through branch, twig, bud, and blossom, to Charles E. Witt, the first fruit in the Memorial, often enough to thoroughly understand it, you will have no trouble in understanding any table in the volume.
The indexes have been simplified and made more efficient by the leaving out of all buds, blossoms, and fruit, admitting only the trunk, limbs, branches, and twigs. It is believed that anyone desiring to trace himself or another, will have little or no trouble in tracing back to the twig without the use of the book. This saves the addition of 1,895 names to the index in Part I alone, thus avoiding a very cumbersome list. Besides, very many would be repetitions of names, always confusing in a family index. Following the names in the index are the letters 'tr', 'l', 'b', or 't', indicating whether the person is a trunk, limb, branch, or twig. Following the names in the index are two or more page numbers, sometimes. They usually refer to different persons with the same name.
Cousin: One collaterally related by descent from a common ancestor, but not a brother or sister. The children of brothers and sisters are first cousins; the children of first cousins are second cousins, etc. A first cousin once removed is a child of one's first cousin; a first cousin twice removed is the grandchild of one's first cousin, etc. A second cousin once removed is the child of one's second cousin, etc. A first cousin once removed is sometimes called a second cousin; a second cousin, a third cousin, and so on. --The Standard Dictionary.
The author has been careful in quoting the above, because of the confusion on the subject of consanguinity in the minds of a good many. Indeed, the very best and most extensive memorial that the author has been permitted to peruse gives a very different definition of the term, cousin. It is a mystery where the compiler obtained his definition.
The page in the index, after the name, always refers to the page where the name is found in the table. The life sketch and the half-tone of the trunks, limbs, and branches, are always found above their respective tables, while those of the twigs, buds, and blossoms, are always found below their respective tables.
The
chief
value of this work, apart from the historical matter, is
centered in the
genealogical or family tables. Study them. Understand them. No
attempt
has been made to write a life sketch of each of the more than
five thousand
names appearing in this Memorial. Such would be an impossible
task, besides
it would not be interesting, if it were possible. An attempt
has been made,
however, to write a short sketch of a few of the most
prominent members
of each family and generation. In many instances it has been
impossible
to get data from which a sketch could be written. Many
families have furnished
very meager information, or none at all. Others have furnished
more than
could be used; consequently, much interesting matter has been
dropped or
condensed, to keep a proper equipoise between the various
parts of the
volume.
As a
very
large percentage of those named in this Memorial are members
of the religious
body calling themselves variously the Christian Church, Church
of Christ,
Disciples of Christ, and in a few instances, Disciples Church,
the author
has deemed it best to use but one term, the first mentioned,
and to explain
the same here. He prefers the term, Church of Christ, and
indeed he thinks
a very large majority of the congregations have been legally
organized
under that name, while at the same time, locally, using the
term Christian
Church.
CONTENTS
CONTENTS PART I Page CHAPTER I Clement Nance, trunk 9 CHAPTER II Dorothy Burton, limb 25 CHAPTER III Mosias Nance, limb 57 CHAPTER IV Susan Shaw, limb 81 CHAPTER V Mary Shields, limb 83 "Page numbers CHAPTER VI William Nance, limb 125 have no meaning CHAPTER VII Nancy Oatman, limb 154 in computer copy-- CHAPTER VIII Clement Nance, limb 183 for information only." CHAPTER IX Jane Jordan, limb 196 CHAPTER X John Wesley Nance, limb 200 CHAPTER XI Elizabeth Richardson, limb 202 CHAPTER XII James R. Nance, limb 226 CHAPTER XIII Giles Nance, limb 232 CONTENTS PART II
CHAPTER I Zachariah Nance, I 243 CHAPTER II David Nance 286 CHAPTER III William Nance 303 CHAPTER IV Richard Nance 312 CHAPTER V John Nance 321 James Nance 325 James Nance 326 CHAPTER VI James Nance 327 James Nance 327 James H. Nance 327 Giles Nance 328 Eaton Nance 328 George Nance 329 Robert Nance 329 George W. Nance 330 Miss Nance Chandler 331 William Nantz 331 Archibald J. Nance 332
Note: Above page numbers refer to the original manuscript as page numbers have no meaning in this reproduction. Also, no index is reproduced in this computerized copy for the same reason. Your computer or browser search or find function is more efficient and should be utilized.
ILLUSTRATIONS
(None
-- There
were no pictures in the computer transcript I used)
PATRIOTISM
On
the pages
of this Memorial are expressions from some of those of the
Southland, concerning
the issues of the days of the Civil War of 1861-5, not always
complimentary
to the people of the North. The author, as well as hundreds
whose names
appear in this Memorial, was in the conflict on the side for
the preservation
of the Union. There were other hundreds on the side of the
Confederacy.
The author has studiously avoided these questions himself
while allowing
others full right to express themselves in their own way.
The
author's
sentiments on these matters are found only on this page.
First, he is not
conscious of now having, or ever having had any prejudice for
or against
the people of the South. Second, he believes the intelligent
people, both
North and South, are now convinced that the race problem is
not settled
as yet. Third, he believes that no one at all intelligent is
sorry we have
one united country today; that we of the North can cross the
Ohio River
into Louisville, and the people of the South can cross the
same river into
Cincinnati, to do our shopping without having to pay on our
purchases,
and having our luggage inspected by government officials every
time we
cross the line. Fourth, he has asked cousin Joanna
Shields-Warren, of Louisville,
to express in Rhyme an up-to-date sentiment on these issues,
as a kind
of antidote to some expressions that may appear to some as
hardly present
day sentiment. She responds as follows:
THE BLUE AND THE GRAY
They
waged
the battle together,
They
fought
in deadly strife.
‘Twas
but
the soul's appealing
For a
principle
dearer than life.
The
ties of
blood and birthright
Were
ignored,
forgot in the fray,
And
the one
impelling impulse
Guided
each
on his fateful way.
The
South
was dear to its people,
And
just
as dear, thee, today.
And to
see
her crushed and wounded,
Was
something
to grieve always.
Each
were
right, and God will judge them,
With a
judgement
higher than man.
He
knows
what made these differences,
Not
alike,
and yet not to blame.
One
family,
each with its impulse,
Some
stronger,
and others more true.
What
caused
the wild rush of feeling
To
differ,
none living can know.
But
now that
the war is long ended,
And
years
have both come and gone.
The
brother-hood
feel – the God man
Rules
again,
and there is peace in the home.
The
feeling
of hatred – resentment – is
Softened
–
and wrongs endured – are left
In the
past,
but remembered though
Unspoken,
and
the wounds scarce cured.
In
the grand
lodge of heaven,
The
Blue
and the Gray
Will
meet
and clasp hands
By
order
of the Grand Master above.
All
differences
healed, all wrongs forgot,
They
will
aye dwell in unity, peace and love.
THE NANCES OF THE WORLD
The earliest mention of the name Nance as applied to a family that the author has found is in a communication from Padstow, Cornwall, England, written by Elijah Nance to W. E. Nance, Esq., of Cardiff, Wales. (See appendix, Exhibit "A") This letter was written in 1856, and covers, as it says, 790 years from 1066, when William the Conqueror in one battle at Hastings, killed the King and took possession of all England and Wales. This army had crossed from Normandy in France. The whole of England and Wales was confiscated and became the possession of the conqueror and his army.
Under the heading, "The Norman Conquest of England," in Johnson's Universal Cyclopedia is the following, viz:
Domesday Book, William's famous property survey, divides the land into 60,215 Knight-Fees, 28,015 of which are in the hands of the church, each being pledged to Knight (or equivalent foot) service and to all precedental feudal taxes and tributes, liable also to escheat and forfeiture. The feoffs or fees are held from the Crown (1) by a score or so of great secular vassals, magnates of Normandy, leaders of the conquering army invested with large but scattering complexes; (2) by several hundred lesser chief-tenants or Crown vassals, nearly all Normans; and (3) by the higher clergy, Norman and Saxon. From these, again held by re-enfeoffment 7,871 after-vassals-half Saxon Thanes, left in possession under Norman overlords, half Norman soldiers, sharing with their leaders the lands they had helped to win. These, too, are sworn "men of the King," levied and led, not by their Lords, but by the Royal Viscounts, Constables, and Marshals. Instead of the earlier, irregular folk-service, stood now a strong feudal militia, paid with land and under the full control of the Monarch from whom they held their pay, making England's rulers, for the first time, full lords of the island, and England, from the side of power, at least, a thoroughly united state.
The Normans had but one name, a Christian or given name. Coming into England where people had two names, they adopted this custom of the country. In this army was a general from a valley in Normandy, called Nantes. This general took the name Nance from his valley home, for some reason changing the spelling somewhat. His share of the land was located at Padstow, Cornwall, and the family is still there, but they have lost their estate.
There is another old family in Cornwall, for an account of which see Appendix, Exhibit "B". And still another, of which John Hobson Matthews, the author of "History of St. Ives, and other Parishes," is a descendant. (See exhibit "C") Also see quotations from said work (Exhibit "D") From these quotations you will see references to one "old John Nance," by John Wesley. Said John Nance was one of John Wesley's best friends and backers in his troubles at St. Ives.
The author has no evidence that any of the American Nances have descended from any of these old families. He has not even a tradition pointing that way. Some of the above families were Catholic, and some were Protestant.
The history of the family of Nance in France, prior to their emigration to America is but little known. Sufficient, however, has been obtained through history and tradition to establish the fact that we are of French lineage.
The Nances were Protestants. The Protestants were called Huguenots as a reproach. The standard dictionary says, "The Huguenots were the most moral, industrious and intelligent part of the French population.
Andrew X, of Belfast, Ireland (Exhibit "E"), says, "My Uncle William spent much time and money in looking up his ancestry. He found the "Coat of Arms" of the family, the motto of which is the same as that of Queen Elizabeth, and indicates that Royal blood of France flows in our veins; and that the Nances appear to have been an aristocratic, noble family; and that the same was a territorial name. Thus we could call ourselves DeNance, if we so desired. Two brothers, Andrew I and Clement, with their families, fled from France at the time of the Huguenot persecutions, when so many fled to England, Germany, Switzerland, South America and North America. These brothers came to
The tradition of the family in America is that our ancestors were driven from France and settled in Wales, from which country they early came to America. Thus history and tradition seem to agree, Wales being just north of Cornwall, and adjoining same.
Just when the Nances came to America is uncertain, but it must have been very soon after settlement began, judging by very many of the name found about Tidewater in Virginia and North Carolina.
It seems most reasonable that this Clement, brother of Andrew I, must have been our emigrating father. First, from the fact that no Nances are found in Wales who cannot easily be traced to a different ancestry. The family could not have remained there very long. Secondly, because of the preponderance of Clements in nearly all Nance families in America.
One writer says our emigrating father came over with Captain John Smith on his third trip, the company forming the first permanent settlement in Virginia. This was 1607. This is erroneous, for John Smith in his autobiography gives the lists of all who came with him on all his trips, and no Nances appear.
This same writer says that our ancestors were of the Albigenses of South France. And that "they ever held to the doctrine, faith and practice of their ancestors, the Albigenses, and came to America with the hope of finding a country and a home in which they might establish a government fraught with moderation and religious toleration. They formed the embryo of the Baptist Church that spread throughout the country, from whose church government Thomas Jefferson got his first form of a democratic constitution which afterwards ripened into the Constitution of the United States of America."
The author thinks he is in error in this as in the other statement, for "Albigenses" was a name applied loosely to "heretics," belonging to various sects that abounded in the South of France about the beginning of the thirteenth century. From 1209 to 1226, a cruel war continued in which hundreds of thousands were put to death. A settlement was effected at the latter date. The Albigenses lost their identity long before the settlement of this country began.
These same "heretics" of the Romish Church of the thirteenth century, were called "Huguenots" in the later centuries. The war on the Huguenots began in earnest in 1559, and kept up to the Edict of Nantes in 1598, when they had comparative peace for about twenty years. Then the cruel war began again. Rochelle, the stronghold of the Huguenots fell in 1628, and of her 24,000 inhabitants, but 4,000 remained, the balance having died by starvation or massacre. The wars continued until the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes, in 1685. In the next three years it is said, France lost nearly one million by emigration.
Just when this Clement Nance came to America, if he really came, is unknown. From the Vestry Book and Register of Bristol Parish, Virginia (Exhibit "F"), we get the first birth records known. The number is about twenty-five, and date from 1712 to 1745. They contain the names Daniel, Elizabeth, Elinor, Phebe, Lucy, Mary, Eliza, John, Jane, Thomas, Richard, William, Leonard, Nathaniel, Anne, Martha, Giles, Sarah, Priscilla, and Nancy. Several of the names appear a number of times.
In a list of thirty-one land patents granted to "Nance" in Virginia, from 1639 to 1779 (Exhibit "G"), these names appear; Richard, William, John, Daniel, Thomas, Reuben, Giles, and Clement. Some of the names are repeated several times. The first was for 300 acres in Henrico County, to Richard Nance, for transportation of six persons into the colony. This was issued March 18, 1639, only thirty-two years after the first permanent settlement in Virginia.
One patent to 1,574 acres was granted to Giles Nance, December 1, 1779. This is no doubt the tract from which he deeded something over 1,000 acres chiefly to our Clement and his family from 1787 to 1796.
The Clement named in patent to 270 acres is the ancestral head of Part I. There are about twenty-five supposedly distinct families named in this volume. The particulars of each family are given in the proper place. The author can only mention a few of the most prominent, as to size here. Early in his research for his own family, that of Clement Nance, Senior, (Part I) he came across the descendants of Zachariah II, (Part II) in the family of A. G. Nance, Petersburg, Illinois. About the same time he was put into correspondence with Miss Bethenia H. Nance of Nashville, now of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. She is descended from David Nance, who was an uncle of Zachariah II above. Mrs. Lucy Baxter Hunt is descended from the same David, but through another son. The family of David, as well as that of Zachariah II, is a very large one. It is very evident that Zachariah I and David were brothers; also as told more fully in Part I, many of us believing that the father of Clement of Part I was William How Nance, who also had a brother Frederick, father of Cloa Nance Mitchell. We settled down to the belief that these four, Zachariah I, David, William How and Frederick were brothers. This would connect three of the largest families and a smaller one, making a family of many thousands. This seemed almost positive, the more so, in that Zachariah II remembered seeing his Uncle William. He also remembered his Uncle's son, Thomas, and son-in-law, Tucker. They returned to New Kent County after the Revolution, for the purpose of obtaining their mother's dowry from the Vaughn Estate. (See Part II) Some months since, Professor Shields, of Part I, sent the author copies which he obtained of some old wills. (Exhibit "H") Among these wills is one of William Nance, evidently the Uncle remembered by Zachariah II. In this will he names his children, but does not name Clement. This the author confesses was a hard blow to him for he had learned to love the family of Zachariah II. We have, therefore, been loath to give this information out, as it cuts him off from close relationship to these two large families.
There is another very large family with Richard as ancestral head. They are widely scattered. Mr. J. A. McDannel, of Washington, D. C., a member of this family, was a great help to the author in tracing this family.
Another large family has Reuben as ancestral head. They are widely scattered.
A
North Carolina
family, a large one, has John as ancestral head. His grandson,
John Webb
Nance, resides at Abingdon, Illinois. His picture appears with
the family
history. (No pictures in computer copy)
All
these
families from Zachariah II down, and many more, appear in Part
II. They
are an interesting study. The author has no doubt a good many
of these
families could be traced to a common ancestry, if one with
time and money
and a copy of this memorial should visit Virginia and make a
personal investigation.
He trusts someone may do this in his day.
Our Religion
All
Nances
in America are Protestants. A few have married into Catholic
families,
but the author has never heard of one becoming Catholic.
As to
Protestant
bodies, a very large majority of Nances are members or
adherents of the
Christian Church. Clement (Part I), and his descendants are
fully nine-tenths
of that faith. Zachariah II (Part II) and his descendants are
very largely
of the same faith. The descendants of David are largely
Baptist. The author
is not informed as to the church affiliations of the
descendants of Richard
to any large extent, but they are of the Christian Church as
far as his
information goes. The descendants of Reuben are of the same
faith as far
as the author is informed, which is quite general.
Our Politics
Not one of our name, as far is known, be it said to our honor, has ever taken up politics as a profession, or as a livelihood.
We are strong in our adherence to what we believe to be right. We are lovers of political and religious liberty for which our forefathers came to this country.
We
are strong
in our party affiliations. We are great lovers of our country
and our religion,
and are ever ready to die for either. This is evidenced by the
very many
who entered the armies in the rebellion of 1861-65. Those in
the Southland
being found generally in the Confederate Army, and those of
the North,
in the Army for the preservation of the Union.
Coming
from
the South, it is natural that we should be largely Democrats.
Of course
there are many exceptions to this. Those settling farthest
North are more
largely Republicans. The Prohibition Party has its usual
percentage of
adherents in our family.
Our Vocations
More
of our
family are tillers of the soil than follow any other one
calling. Among
the professions, that of medicine is far in the lead. (This is
certainly
true of Clement's family, but the author is not well informed
as to other
families.) The law has its devotees, as well as the gospel.
Quite a number
are professors in college, or teachers in other schools. He
thinks we have
attained great success as merchants and traders. We have a
good sprinkling
of bankers. We are found in all honorable vocations of life.
We have never
heard of a saloon keeper, gambler or criminal in our family.
There are
a few weak ones, weak to resist temptations of the open dram
shop set along
their path by our so-called Christian civilization. Be this
said to the
everlasting disgrace of Protestant America -- ninety-nine
times out of
a hundred, when you find a Nance, you will find a citizen in
the middle
walks of life, honored and respected by all who know him. This
last sentence
is the highest compliment that can be paid any people.
Many
of the
family have much wealth, and some are quite independent, but
the author
does not believe that the amassing of wealth is a
characteristic of the
family.
PART
I
CHAPTER
I
Clement Nance, Senior
The
head's
the cap-sheaf of the man,
And
Clement
Nance the head, this race began
Bodily
to
form, and more adown the ranks of years,
Long
years.
And from his brain evolved
The
changes
- traits - changes that multiply with time,
The
impulse
governing - to many bearing the name.
Example
his,
to imitate - be as this good man was
So, -
"Being
dead, he speaketh yet," to man.
Joanna
Shields
Warren
Clement Nance, like Melchisedec, seems to have been without father, without mother. He is the ancestral head of the family whose history is given here. We do not know the name of his father and mother. The author believes that the late William Mitchell, twig of branch two, limb one, was the most reliable living witness of recent years. He was also the eldest living member of the family for many years. He was born in 1817 and passed peacefully away September 28, 1903. He was positive that William How Nance, "Uncle Billy How," as he was familiarly called, was father of our ancestral head, Clement Nance. Said William Mitchell was grandson of Cloa Nance Mitchell. She was daughter of Frederick Nance. Frederick and William How were brothers. He well remembered a visit Clement made at the home of his father, James Mitchell, and well remembered the meeting of Cloa and Clement. Clement remarked, as they met and embraced, "Well, Cloa, I must kiss thee." She replied, "Why not, Clement, for are we not cousins? Were not our fathers brothers?" William Mitchell was a lad at the time, and the impressions received at this meeting of his grandmother on his father's side, and his great-grandfather on his mother's side, both aged, were indelibly impressed on his young mind. He also remembered frequent conversations between his father's mother, Cloa, and his mother's mother, Dorothy (limb one), as to old times in Virginia where they were neighbors. They always spoke to each other, or of each other, as cousin. Many times has he heard Cloa tell anecdotes of her "Uncle Billy," and he is positive that no one ever received any impression from her other than that he was brother of her father, Frederick, and father of Clement. David Nance, father of the author, was as intelligent as most men of his day, but he had no idea as to the name of his great-grandfather. He frequently mentioned "Uncle Billy How" in connection with some anecdote. He was under the impression that he was brother of Clement. Also that Clement had another brother, David.
The author had an abstract made of the name Nance, as found in the records of Pittsylvania County (Exhibit "I"), hoping therefrom to learn the parentage of our Clement. No light has been obtained on this point, but other matters of interest will appear at the proper place. The only time that the name of William How Nance appears is as witness to the signature to a deed. This in only valuable in that it appears with five other names of the family, including our Clement; also showing how he spelled the middle name "How".
Professor C. W. Shields, of Princeton University (twig of branch one, limb four), has had abstracts made of deed and will records of counties from Tidewater westward, seeking information on the same point, but to no purpose.
While the author has never found anyone besides William Mitchell who would venture to name the father of our ancestral head, still quite a number demur to the thought that "Uncle Billy How" was such. In the face of all these doubts and partial denials, and in the absence of any affirmations as to any other parentage, the author assumes that William Mitchell was correct, and that William How Nance was the father of our ancestral head, Clement Nance.
The abstract of deeds mentioned above is an interesting document, showing twenty-five transfers to or from Nance. These are nearly all our known family, and all are no doubt akin. Quite a number of these transfers are to or from those who had married into the family of our Clement. Our traditions agree with most of the name in America, viz: That our ancestors were driven out of France at the time of the persecution of the Huguenots; that they came to Wales, and thence to America, settling at or near Jamestown, Virginia. The date of the arrival in America is very uncertain, but must have been at a very early date, judging by the numerous number of families by the name scattered all over the South and West. The date of birth of Clement, Sr. is not known. He is said to have died at the age of seventy-two, which would place his birth in 1756. This would make him twenty at the birth of his first child. He was born in Virginia. He was also born there and all his children were born there.
The first thing we can write with confidence is, that he, with his wife and most of his children, and their children, for several of them were married in Virginia and had children there, left Pittsylvania County in 1803 and settled in Kentucky. William and Susan had preceded the father, settling in Mercer County, KY, on the Kentucky River. Mosias and family remained a couple of years in Virginia after the father had removed to Kentucky.
A goodly number of the name came with Clement from Virginia, settling in Kentucky and Tennessee. These were brothers, sisters or cousins. They have been lost to our branch of the family. No doubt they are the ancestors of many of the numerous families of the name in those states at the present time.
After remaining in Kentucky about eighteen months, Clement determined to press on to Indiana Territory. He constructed a flatboat, upon which he placed a part of his family, all the women and children, and all the household effects. Upon this boat they floated down the Kentucky and Ohio Rivers, landing just below the present site of New Albany, Indiana, and on Section 10, Township 3, Range 6. A portion of the family came overland with the cattle and horses, they being possessed of quite a number of cattle, which by browsing upon the canebrake and wild grasses that grew abundantly, kept fat. Thus he landed a large family in the wilderness, without house or even shelter. It is said the mother cried piteously when she found herself surrounded by a helpless family of children brought to this dreary, desolate region, and landed in a cold March storm of sleet and snow, without shelter of any kind. A three-sided pole shanty was soon erected, with open end from the storm, a log heap fire was soon crackling away, bringing good cheer to the cold and wet. In this little open camp, covered with only bark and brush, the family lived until a permanent cabin could be erected. They did not suffer for provisions for the cows gave milk and the woods were full of game. This landing was made on March 5, 1805. This was the second family to locate in the present limits of Floyd County -- Robert LaFollette and his new bride having preceded them the previous November 4, 1804.
Clement did not take the precaution to pre-empt his claim when he "squatted" on the same, for it was almost an unbroken forest to Vincennes, where the United States Land Office was located, and settlers were coming in so slowly that he did not fear that his claim would be "jumped".
It is claimed, but by how much authority the author is unable to say, that one Joseph Oatman, who, with his family, soon followed the Nances into the territory, fell in love with one of the Nance girls, but his suit displeasing the father, the visits to the daughter ceased. In order to "get even" with the father of the girl, Oatman slipped off to Vincennes and returned with a receipt calling for the patent to the Nance claim. Oatman's entry was dated April 28, 1807, and called for fractional section 10, township 3, range 6, containing 335.60 acres. The extreme northeast corner of this tract is cut by the stream, Falling Run, leaving a few feet only on the east side of the river's brink.
After losing this place, Clement removed to the western part of Franklin Township, two and one-half miles from the present village of Lanesville, where he continued to reside to the date of his death, dying and being buried on the same farm. His entry at the United States Land Office, at Vincennes, was dated June 25, 1807, and called for the northwest quarter section 15, township 3, range 5, 160 acres. This entry was made in less than two months after his former claim was "jumped" by Joseph Oatman.
Clement
Nance,
Sr. afterwards entered the following tracts adjoining, viz:
December 23,
1815, SW 1/4, Section 9, Township 3, Range 5, 160 acres. May
11, 1818,
NE 1/4, Section 15, Township 3, Range 5, 160 acres. and
September 24, 1821,
West half SW 1/4, Section 14, Township 3, Range 5, 80 acres.
In all making
entry to 500 acres. This tract of land is situated over the
"knobs", or
hills, as many would call them, to the westward and eight
miles from New
Albany. The original tract entered by Clement Senior, is the
prettiest
farm in all that part of the country. The sons and grandsons
continued
to make entry to the adjoining lands until the family were the
owners of
about four sections of land.
FREEING SLAVES
The following article is on record in the Harrison County records, having been made before the organization of Floyd County and when it was a part of Harrison County.
Know all men by the presents, that I, Clement Nance, of Harrison County, Indiana Territory, do this day make the following statements and commit to record in the Clerk’s Office of said county, to wit:
In the year 1799, when I was an inhabitant of Pittsylvania County, Virginia, For and in consideration of the sum of $200.00, to me in hand, paid by a certain Negro man named "Will", as a compensation to me for the services I was entitled to receive from him as a slave, and that I did then and there emancipate or set free the said Negro, "Will", who has ever since enjoyed the blessings of freedom, and the said Negro man is now a resident of this territory. I do, by these presents, confirm and establish his emancipation.
Witness
my
hand and seal this 10th day of May, 1809.
(Signed)
Clement
Nance
(Before)
Geo.
T. Pope, Clerk.
"Aunt Ped" Wolf (Branch 8, Limb 2) and Martha Harber (Branch 9, Limb 7) inform me that this Negro Man, "Will", and "Old Marge", when set free, begged to come West with the family, that they came and remained in the family till after the death of their old "Master and Missus", and were after they became too old to work, supported by the family till "Marge" became insane when she was sent to the poorhouse, where she died. She had a daughter named Mary and a son named Jeff. Will and Marge were not husband and wife. Aunt Ped also says that Clement, Sr. had a goodly number of other slaves which he freed and sent to Liberia. The author has been unable to verify this last statement. It is probably true for it was common talk in the family at early day.
Clement
Nance
and Mary Jones were probably married in 1775. Their first
child was born
March 22, 1776.
CHURCH AFFILIATIONS
Clement is said to have become a Christian at the age of seventeen, joining the Methodists (which branches is unknown), and soon began preaching for them and so continued a number of years, perhaps until 1790, in which year he was a Baptist minister, as shown by the following bond:
BOND GIVING THE RIGHT TO CELEBRATE MARRIAGE
Know all men by these presents, that we, Clement Nance and Joseph Akin, of the County of Pittsylvania, are held and stand firmly bound unto Beverly Randolph, Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and his successors in the sum of Five Hundred Pounds current money, to which payment well and truly to be made, we bind ourselves our joint and several heirs, executors and admors, jointly and severally, firmly by the presents, sealed with our seals and dated this 19th day of April, 1790.
Now the condition of the above obligation is such that the above bounden Clement Nance, who is Minister of the Gospel of the Society of Christians called Baptists, shall well and truly celebrate the rites of marriage between all persons applying to him for that purpose agreeable to the acts of assembly in that case made and provided, then the above obligation to be void else to remain in full force and virtue.
Clement
Nance
(LS)
Joseph
Akin
(LS)
Taken
in
open court, April 19, 1790.
There are no records showing that he married any couple previous to the filing of the above bond.
William Mitchell says that Clement took several trips, horseback, back to his Conference or Association in Virginia. He hid it from his daughters, Dorothy and Elizabeth, that on their father’s return from his last trip, he said to his family and intimate friends that he was going to "preach the new truth," as it was called at the time. They tried to dissuade him, telling him it would kill the church. He said, "If the truth kills, let it die." They said they never saw so much excitement. Their father would take his Bible and read to the people, showing them there could be no mistake; that they must believe the truth. So he preached, and nearly all followed him into the new faith. As one would see the truth, he would shout out, saying, "Brother Nance, we are so glad you have shown us the truth." This was the doctrine as taught by Barton W. Stone. A little later, Alexander Campbell became the recognized leader. It is said that Clement fought Mr. Campbell very bitterly at the start, but becoming convinced of the truth as taught by this great restorationist, he embraced it. The remainder of his life was devoted to the promulgation of the "new truths," as they were called by their friends, but "Campbellism," as called by their enemies. Nearly all of his children followed him into the new faith. He passed away a few months before the Campbells and their followers became a separate people.
Aunt
"Ped"
Wolf says that those of the church who did not follow our
ancestral head
into the new communion were very much embittered against him.
They prepared
a hymn, or paraphrased and old one, containing these words;
"The wolf will
rend and tear," and sang the same, referring to him as the
wolf. It was
about the same time that Clement wrote a hymn, and it was sung
by his followers
very much because of the sentiment so suited to the times and
occasion.
The author distinctly remembers when this hymn was sung at the
close of
every Lord’s day meeting, all the members passing all over the
house, shaking
hands with everyone present. Many times he has seen the whole
audience
melted to tears as this hymn was so sung. This was at Coleta,
Whiteside
County, Illinois, and covered some ten years previous to 1860.
Clement
is
said to have been a voluminous writer of hymns, but the
following is the
only authenticated one known to the author:
The Parting Hand
My
Christian
friends in bonds of love,
Whose
hearts
the sweetest union prove,
Your
friendship’s
like the strongest band,
Yet we
must
take the parting hand.
Your
presence
sweet, our union dear,
What
joy
we feel together here,
And
when
I see that we must part,
You
draw
like chords around my heart.
How
sweet
the hours have passed away,
Since
we
have met to sing and pray,
How
loath
are we to leave this place,
Where
Jesus
shows His smiling face.
O, I
could
stay with friends so kind,
How it
would
cheer my fainting mind,
But
pilgrims
in a foreign land,
We oft
must
take the parting hand.
But
since
it is God’s Holy Will,
We
must be
parted for awhile,
In
sweet
submission all as one,
We’ll
say
our Father’s Will be done.
How
oft I’ve
seen your flowing tears,
And
heard
you tell your hopes and fears,
Your
hearts
with love did seem to flame,
Which
makes
me hope we’ll meet again.
Ye
mourning
soul in sore surprise,
Who
seek
for mansions in the skies,
Do
trust
His Grace, and in that land,
We’ll
no
more take the parting hand.
I
hope you’ll
all remember me,
If
here no
more my face you see,
An
interest
in your prayers I crave,
That
we may
meet beyond the grave.
My
Christian
friends, both old and young,
I
trust you
will in Christ go on,
Press
on
and soon you’ll win the prize,
A
crown of
glory in the skies.
A few
more
days, or years at most,
And we
shall
reach fair Canaan’s coast,
When
in that
holy, happy land,
We’ll
take
no more the parting hand.
O,
blessed
day! O, glorious hope!
My
soul rejoices
at the thought,
When
in that
holy, happy land,
We’ll
take
no more the parting hand.
Clement Nance (1756 – 1828)
William Mitchell well remembered his grandmother, Cloa, telling how the family would always say that "Clem" would never go into the Revolutionary Army, that his heart was so full of preaching that he would not go where he could not preach. That he would preach every Sunday that he could find anyone to listen. I will say here that I found no evidence that William How Nance was ever in the army. This is bitter news to some of us, for we were anxious to find evidence to admit us to membership in the Sons and Daughters of the Revolution.
Mary Jones was our ancestral mother. She was the daughter of Mosias Jones of Pittsylvania County, Virginia. (See Exhibit "J" for his will.) Very little is known as to her or her life. She was living at the date of her husband’s will in 1821, but had passed away before his death in 1828.
A
pleasant
little story is told of our ancestral mother. The author will
relate it,
not because there is anything in it, but because he will be
accused of
leaving out important history if he does not put it in.
A Pleasant Little Story
William Mitchell heard elder John T. Jones of Jacksonville, Illinois, make the following statement at Eureka: Mary Jones, who was my aunt, was in the presence of some British officers, when one of them remarked that the Continental Army was composed of illiterates, that even Washington could not sign his name, or words to that effect. She spoke up and said, "Well, if he cannot write his name, he can make his mark," referring to the wounded hand of the officer, said to have been received from Washington’s sword. Uncle Will reported this conversation on his arrival home, when Grandma Benson (limb ten) said, "Yes, that is correct. And that Mary Jones was my mother." The author heard this story from different branches of the family, but with variations. Being satisfied that if there was any truth to this story, that it would be found in history, he began to search for the facts. On page 137, "Barnes’ School History of United States," in a footnote, after mentioning the Battle of Cowpens, January 17, 1781, in which General Tarleton and his British Army were badly whipped, he found the following:
Colonel William A. Washington, in a personal combat in this battle, wounded Tarleton months afterwards, the British officer, while conversing with Mrs. Jones, a witty American lady, sneeringly said, "That Colonel Washington is very illiterate. I am told that he cannot write his name." "Ah, Colonel," she replied, "You bear evidence that he can make his mark." Tarleton expressed at another time, his desire to see Colonel Washington, the lady replied, "Had you looked behind you at Cowpens, you might have had the pleasure."
Whether this corroborates the family story, the author will leave each reader to determine for himself. For myself I can not account for this story getting mixed up in our family except on the ground that there is some truth to it. More than likely, this Mrs. Jones, who made the remark, was mother of our ancestral mother, Mary Jones.
To return to the public career of our ancestral head, it is claimed by some that he was the first preacher to settle in the Indiana Territory, and to have preached the first sermon ever delivered within the present limits of the state. This cannot be verified, but it is evident that he was among the first, if not the first, to spread the story of the cross.
Many of the readers of this memorial will wonder, no doubt, what kind of man in appearance was our ancestral head, and what style of oratory, as a minister, did he use. As to the former, he was tall, erect, dignified, and imposing. His hair was pure white, the latter years of his life. He stamped his personality, as well as his character, on his progeny. Cousin William Mitchell gave evidence that the photograph of the author, taken six years since, was an almost exact likeness of him. As to his manner of speech, he was both rapid and fervent – marked characteristics of his descendants.
The following quotation gives some idea as to his manner of speech under the heading of "religious matters," in "History of the Ohio Falls Counties":
"The earliest religious teachers through this, Georgetown Township, were unlettered, though like their hearers they were men of natural force of character, great energy, perseverance, and will force, as well as great physical powers. They were religious by instinct rather than by education, and often expounded their views with great force and eloquence, but with language not entirely polished. Clement Nance was among the earliest preachers in this part of the county. He has been referred to in the history of Franklin Township. Patrick Shields’ cabin, which was ever open for religious meetings, without regard to denomination, was the first preaching place in the township. To this spacious cabin the settlers came from far and near to listen to the fervent but unpolished oratory of Clement Nance; who preached in those very early days the doctrine of a sect known as the New Lights, now very nearly extinct."
An Incident
Elder James Robeson told the following in substance to William Mitchell: Barton W. Stone and Clement Nance, Sr. were starting on a preaching tour through the interior of the state. Knowing that he was contemplating entering the ministry, they invited him to accompany him. He accepted the invitation. They started from New Albany, and went as far as Crawfordsville, where John Oatman (branch six) was living. On the return trip stopped over night at the home of Clement, Senior. As was their custom wherever they stopped overnight, they had preaching. Young Robeson told the girls, of whom there were several, not to tell any one that he was a preacher, but they scattered the news far and wide. The announcement having been spread, there was a large audience present. He was pressed into service and had to preach. This was his first sermon and in the presence of Elders Stone and Nance. Thus, a lot of fun-provoking girls were the cause of the launching forth of what proved to be a long and eventful ministry. "Uncle Jimmy Robeson," as he was familiarly called, appears to have kept close touch with the Nances most of his life, one son, James W., marrying Margaret Richardson (twig five, branch two, limb ten.) In addition to his preaching and farming, Clement, Senior, early established a horse mill run by a sweep, on his farm, in which the farmer’s grists were ground for twenty years. He was ever considered one of the leading citizens of his county, holding several positions of honor and responsibility.
As Associate Judge
Upon the examination of the criminal docket of the Circuit Court of Floyd County, made September 9, 1901, the author learned that Clement Nance, Sr., was Associate Judge from May 1819 to June 1825, six years. He presumes the most important and noted case during those years was the trial of John Dahman, for the murder of Frederick Notte. Looking this matter up, he made the following copies from the docket.
May 17, 1821; John Dahman presented for the murder of Fred Notte. Jury empanelled. Some testimony taken. Adjourned to next day. May 18, 1821. Some testimony heard. Arguments made and given to jury. May 19, 1821. Saturday morning, the court met pursuant to adjournment.
(Hon.
Davis
Floyd, present
(Clement
Nance,
Senior,
Seth
Woodruff,
associates.
Jury returned verdict, "Guilty." Moved for new trial. Motion over-ruled. The sheriff was instructed to return the prisoner to the County Goal, there to remain till July 6, 1821, between the hours of twelve and four o’clock, when he is to be hanged by the neck till he is dead – dead – dead.
"Aunt Ped" informs the author that this sentence was pronounced by Clement Nance, Senior, and that when the judge said, "To be hanged by the neck till he is dead – dead – dead," that Dahman spoke up and said, "and damned." The judge added, "and may God have mercy on your soul," when Dahman replied, "and the devil too."
The author has been more particular in giving this quotation from the docket because the "History of Ohio Falls Counties." gives the credit of this judgeship to Clement Nance, Junior, a son of Clement, Senior. Aunt Ped called his attention to this error in the history, saying she was certain her father had told the children too many times about this murder trial, for her to forget who was the judge at the time.
Last Will and Testament of Clement Nance, Senior
[signed] Clement Nance
William
Wright
}
John
Smith
} Witnesses, July 28, 1821
Henry
B.
Shields }
William
Wright
} Sureties, Bond $1,500
This
will
was probated August 14, 1828.
In
September
1903, the author returned to New Albany for the second time
for a further
examination of deed, marriage and tombstone records, looking
for matters
of interest to the family. In the matter of marriages, he
gained many dates
that will make the work more nearly perfect. These dates will
appear throughout
the work but they will not show the reader the time, patience
and labor
they have cost.
Knowing
that
every item referring to our ancestral head would be hailed
with delight
by the family, when so little is known, he was careful not to
let anything
slip him. In looking over the papers filed in settlement of
the estate,
he found a sale notice, which follows:
Executor’s Sale
A Reverie
I am writing this on the old farm of my grandfather, Mosias, under the shade of a wide-spreading tree that he, no doubt, reposed under long before I was born. My father must have played under the same protecting branches in his youthful days. The place of my father’s birth is nearby, and I, too, saw light near the same spot. The remains of my grandparents repose on the brow of the hill just back of the old home. All three places are in plain sight and but a few rods apart. The farm and graves of my great-grandparents, adjoins on the south, just over the hill, sloping southward. The farm and red brick house of "Uncle Billy," lies across the little stream to the westward, in plain sight. The house is fast returning to earth from which it was taken three-quarters of a century since. It is now used for the shelter of sheep. To the south of Uncle Billy, lies the farm of "Uncle Clem." It is only partly visible. The substantial brick residence, built in 1820, stands behind the hill. It is in excellent repair and withal a seemingly modern, commodious country residence. To the south of my resting place, but to the east of Clement, Senior, lies the farm of "Uncle Giles," wholly hidden by a clump of timber. On every hand stands the tallest timber I have ever beheld. It is nearly one hundred years since these old worthies began cutting away the immense forests to make them a home and a farm. To an Illinoisan, this white soil seems absolutely worthless. But the evidence is before me that fairly good crops grow from these seeming ash heaps, owing mostly to the liberal use of "bone meal."
Not
far away
is the sight of the old school house where our parents used to
spend from
daylight to dark, six days a week for three months of the
year, learning
to "read, write and cipher." Their only reader and speller was
the New
Testament. I wonder how much of the sturdy manhood and
womanhood of our
parents is due to the study of this "book of books?" As the
twig is bent,
the tree’s inclined."
I have
been
wandering at will over these fields of hill and vale,
thinking, thinking,
thinking. I am hot. I am tired. I am resting. I am thinking of
the luscious
sweet pears on the tall symmetrical tree standing in the yard
of the old
home of our ancestral head, said to have been planted by his
own hands
from seed brought from his Virginia home. (Note: On telling of
this tree
and its fruit to Mrs. Martha Nance Harber, on my arrival home,
she remembers
both, distinctly, describing both to me, although she had been
from there
for fifty-two years.)
I am
hungry.
I must seek Cousin Lon’s and eat some more peaches. They will
taste better
than these deceptive persimmons I picked up on the farm of
"Uncle Billy."
The Author.
Clement Nance, Senior, passed to his reward in July or the first days of August, 1828, judging from the fact that his will went to probate August 14 of that year, being seventy-two years of age. He died of bloody flux, which complaint was quite fatal that year. He was buried in the orchard on the farm on which he had lived since making entry June 25, 1807. In September 1901, the author visited this farm. There is not a tree of the orchard standing. It is now a field. Even the graves are obliterated. Cousin Adeline Mosier pointed out the location of the city of the dead, from her memory, to the author, and he had no doubt but she was correct, for the rank stubble and weeds indicated less worn soil. There is nothing to mark the resting place of this man of God.
Rest
in peace
thou noble sire,
No
costly
shaft nor funeral pyre,
Shall
mark
thy resting place,
But in
the
city of thy God,
There,
thou
hast found a sweet abode,
Thy
spirit
dwelleth there.
A
word as
to the twelve children, or limbs, of Clement and Mary Jones
Nance. Dorothy
lived, died and was buried at Rockville, Indiana. Mosias lived
and was
buried on his home adjoining that of his father. Susan was the
first to
pass away, dying between 1811 and 1812. She lived near the old
home and
must have been buried in the vicinity, but the author has been
unable to
locate the site of the grave. Mary lived in New Albany, and
her remains
are buried there. William spent most of his days near the old
home, but
died at Columbus, Illinois, and is buried there. Nancy spent
the last fifteen
years of her life in Texas, dying there in 1864. Clement, like
his brother,
William, spent most of his days near the old home, but the
last year was
spent at Columbus, where his body lies. These brothers are the
only two
of the family whose dust mingles in the same cemetery. Jane
spent her days
near the old home, and is buried in the Old Salem Church Yard.
John Wesley
was the second to go, dying almost in youth, September 1821,
and is no
doubt buried near the old home where he lived and died, but
his grave is
unknown to the author. Elizabeth outlived all her brothers and
sisters,
living and dying at Eureka, Illinois. She passed away in 1872,
and is buried
at Mt. Zion Cemetery. James spent his days near the old home.
He lived,
died and is buried at Laconia, Harrison County. Giles, the
youngest, died
among strangers in Missouri, and is buried there. (Penned
note: this Giles
was my great grandfather – Mary Nance.)
The
church
affiliations of Susan and John Wesley are not known. Mosias
was a life-long
member of the "Old Christian Order," sometimes called "New
Lights." Mary
was a Presbyterian. James was a Methodist. The other seven
were members
of the Christian Church.
Picture
Joanna
Shields
Warren
January
27,
1904
Table
showing
the number of descendants of our ancestral head,
by
generations:
(Unable to reproduce table – will describe it instead)
There
is one
trunk; Clement Nance and wife, Mary Jones.
There
are
twelve limbs; Dorothy Burton, Mosias Nance, Susan Shaw, Mary
Shields, William
Nance, Nancy May Oatman, Clement Nance Jr., Jane (Richardson)
(Jordan),
John Wesley, Elizabeth (Richardson) (Long) (Walden) (Benson),
James R.
Nance, and Giles Nance.
There
are
99 branches, 484 twigs, 1105 Buds, 758 Blossoms, 32 Fruits,
for a total
of 2490 in all.
Add to
this
the ones that married into the family (864), for a grand total
of 3,354
descendants of Clement Nance.
CHAPTER
II
Dorothy Nance-Burton – Limb One
Dorothy Nance, the first born of Clement and Mary Jones Nance, was born in Virginia, March 22, 1776. She was married to Joseph Burton in Virginia, and some of their children were born there. They appear to have come to Indiana with her father’s family, arriving March 5, 1805. About 1818 they moved to Vigo County, and a few years later to Parke County, same state, and settled near Rockville, where they continued to reside during life. The husband died December 19, 1836. Mother Burton continued to reside with her sons, Clement and Joseph, until she fell asleep in Jesus, February 11, 1850. She became a Christian rather late in life, joining the Christian Church. She was ever after very devoted to her church. She was a great reader of her Bible, and good conversationalist, a good woman, kind and tenderhearted, always doing good. A niece writes of her: "She had a sweet, soft voice; was a good and kind old grandmother to us all." When sixty, she rode horse-back from Indiana to Woodford County, Illinois, to visit her sister, Elizabeth.
She
was the
mother of fourteen children, two dying in infancy. The others
are named
as follows as branches:
Clement,
Nancy,
Charles,
Lucretia,
Preston
(died
young),
William
(died
young),
Elizabeth,
Josephus,
Thomas,
Mary,
James
R.,
Wiley
C.
Clement Burton – Branch One
Clement Burton was born in Virginia, August 5, 1795. Was united in marriage to Miss Ann T. Merriweather, in Louisville, Kentucky. He is said to have opened the first grocery store ever in New Albany. He became a member of the Christian Church early in life and was always a faithful Christian. He was a Deacon in the church for many years. Moving from Rockville to Fountain Creek, same state, he found no church of his choice but was instrumental in having one started soon. The same was true when he moved to Iowa, which was in 1853. He was a farmer by occupation, dying on his farm near Clarksville, Iowa, March 16, 1864. He was the father of fourteen children, twelve by his first wife and two by his second wife, Miss Rachel Taylor. Those growing to maturity are named below as twigs. He is said to be a man without fault, loved and honored by all who knew him.
Twigs Buds Blossoms Fruit
{Frank L. w, {Charles E.
{Vashti Groggs....{
{Shell Rock, IA {Fred B.
{
William E.,w, d, {Sarah C., h, {Mamie E., h, {Royston E.
Martha Morris.....{Ross Eldon Witt..{Edw. R. Waugh...{Richard A.
{Clarksville, IA {Blairstown, MO {John H.
{ {Neal D.
{
{Adalaide, h, {Mark E.
{R. H. Waugh......{
{Clarksville, IA {Sarah E.
----------------------------------------------
{Isabelle, h, d,
{? Townsend
{
{Clement N.
{El Reno, OK
Lucinda C., h, d, {
Wm. Bradbury..... {Melvina, h,
{? Kinney
{Monroe, OR
{
{Frank
{Albert E.
{Lafayette, IN
----------------------------------------------
{Nancy A, h,
{George Nickel
{Hartford, KS
Jamce M., w, {
1829 - 1870 {John M., 1833-1879
Mary Jane Guy.... {Sarah Ellen, {Edgar L., 1877
{1854 - 1876 {William J.
{ {Henry Guy
{Wm. H. H., w, 1857{Constance C.
{Josie Moxley...{John M.
{Burlingame, KS {Edna Alice
{Richard
----------------------------------------------
{Frank W.
{Thaney Ann, h, {Mable Shadbolt
{Reuben Ray.....{
{Clarksville, IA{Oakley
{ {Gladys
{ {George
{Emma Alice, h, d,
James M., w, {? Poisal
1829 - 1870.......{
Mary Jane Guy {Phebe Lora, h,
{? Brown
{Ottawa, KS
{
{Dorothy Jane, h,
{1867.............{Irene Allen
{Dr. Morgan Tulles{Altha Pearle
{Long Beach, CA
----------------------------------------------
Dorothy Jane, h, {No issue
Dr. Mosier, d
Homer, IL
----------------------------------------------
{Carrie, h, d...{Robert
{A. L. VanHosen {Louis
H. T. Luckey N,w,d{
{Mary, h,
{E. W. Virden
{Cedar Rapids, IA
---------------------------------------------
{James W.
{John M.
{
{Ella, h,
Lucretia C., h, {? West
Robt. T. Crowel...{Spirit Lake, IA
Spirit Lake, IA {
{William
{
{Emma, h,
{George F. Arp
{Okoboji, IA
----------------------------------------------
Rachel L., h {Cora A, h, {Minnie, h,
Wm. Poisal........{John Moore.....{Frank Hennen
Troy Mills, IA {Troy Mills, IA {Sandusky, OH
----------------------------------------------
George H., killed in battle, 1864
----------------------------------------------
Joseph Clement, w, no issue
Clarksville, IA
----------------------------------------------
Mary E., h, {H.F.L.B. Champlin
L. F. Champlin....{
Little Valley, NY {Randolph, NY
James M.
Burton,
twig, and family left Warren County, Indiana in 1866, and moved
to Bates
County, Missouri, and purchased a farm on which the family
continued to
reside until the death of the parents. The father died in 1870,
and the
mother in 1872. In 1874, the children moved in wagons to Osage
County,
Kansas, where they continued to farm.
William H. H. Burton, bud, married in 1876. He is the father of ten children. Three have passed to the "land beyond."
Edgar L. Burton, blossom, is a dentist at Osage City, Kansas.
William J. Burton is in Kansas City. The rest of the children are at home.
Dorothy Jane and Dr. Mosier, twigs above, have resided many years at Homer, Illinois. The doctor has been dead a number of years, leaving a cousin large property to care for. She has helped the author all in her power, sending her father’s picture for plate.
Nancy Burton – Branch Two
Nancy Burton was born in Virginia, March 14, 1798.
James Mitchell was born in Virginia, the son of William Mitchell and Cloa Nance. (Cloa Nance and Clement Nance, Senior, were first cousins.) They were married October 12, 1816, Clement Nance, "Minister of the Gospel," performing the ceremony. This was in Floyd County. They moved to Vigo County in 1818, and to Parke County in 1826. They moved to Woodford County, Illinois, in 1833, settling at Walnut Grove.
They
became
Christians in Parke County, joining the Christian Church,
Elder John Oatman
baptizing them. They continued to reside in and about Eureka
the remainder
of their lives, the wife dying last, on March 18, 1874. "She
was a great
homebody. Her home was her castle and she was the Queen. The
golden rule
governed her actions." She was the mother of ten children,
those growing
to maturity being named below as twigs:
Twigs Buds Blossoms Fruit
{C. Edwin, w,
{Nancy Jane, h, {Leona Kingsbury, d.....{Blanche
{Thomas Bullock.........{
{Toledo, OH {Minnie, h,
{ {Herb. Vanbibber
{
{ {William H., w,
William, w, {Henrietta, h, {Nancy Patton
1817 – 1903 {H. M. Reynolds.........{Monmoth, IL
Susan Long……............{Washington, IL {
1820 – 1888 { {Mae, at home
{
{ {William J., w, {Cyrus F. H.
{Amanda H., h, {Lydia Huston…..........{Freddie, d.
{F. E. Jennings…........{
{Truman, MN {Harvey
{Minnie Belle
{Charles J.
----------------------------------------------
{Henry Clay, w, d {Leona, h,
{Mary McKeever..........{Oscar Jewett
{ {
{2nd wife, ??? {Nellie
{
{James Ira,
Josephus, w, {1849-1860 {Sadie, h, 1872
1819 – 1888……...........{ {Nath'l Drake...........{Lorrence
Sarah Blount, d, { {
1897 { {Nellie, h, 1874
{ {M. Frederick...........{Denver D.
{ {Washington, IL
{Emma, h, {
{Charles West...........{Archie, 1877
{Eureka, IL {
{ {Almon, w, 1880
{Alice Norris...........{Richard C.
{
{Mayme, h, 1882
{Mark A. Hutson
{
{Frank, 1894
----------------------------------------------
{Mary, h, {William
Elizabeth, h, {William Fox............{Alphonzo
1821-1857………............{ {Walter
Robert C. Nance,d { {John
{Robert C.,
{lost in Civil War {Frank, w, {Floyd S.
{Florence Blockson......{Lois
{ {Walker
{
{Lorena, h, {Lena
{W. W. Barnes...........{Samuel
{ {Eva
{Neaty, h,
{G. W. Sparks
{Emely, h, {
{Thos. J. Garton… {Harley
{ {
{ {Mary, h,
{ {H. E. Nelson
{ {
{ {Ray
{ {Nora
{ {Evan
{ {Maurice
{ {Genevre
{ {Emma J.
2nd h, {
J. E. Crayton, d........{ {Ida
{Amanda, h,.............{Julia
{Warren Rucker {Orla
{
{ {Charles
{Genevra, h, {Lulu
{Frank Egbert...........{Orville
{ {Tracy B.
{
{ {Mable
{Genetta, h, {Jay
{Clarence Gould.........{Bessie
{Luther E.
----------------------------------------------
{Forest H, w,
{Hattie Driella.........{Edna
{
Frederick N., w, {Frank P., w, {Lulu
b. 1824 {May Sullivan…..........{Helen
Martha E. Heath, d......{
{Harvey H, w, {Charles
{Florence Bensmith......{Millard S.
{T. Paul
----------------------------------------------
Jas. Pleasant, w, {Harvey, b. 1881
b. 1830 {Allerton, IL
Alice Harris............{May
Sidney, IL {Flossie
----------------------------------------------
{Oakley
{Harvey, w {Ethel
{Minnie Ayers...........{Hazel
{Eureka, IL {Norma
{ {Clara
{
{ {Floyd E., w,
Mary Ann, h, { {Maud L. Shepard
b. 1833 {John M., w, {
Wm. S. Bullock..........{Emma Blanchard.........{Vida Blanche
Secor, IL {El Paso, IL {Harold
{ {Lola C.
{ {Chas. W.
{
{ {Ray, w,
{ {Jennie Pettitt
{Clara, h, {
{Thos. Spencer..........{Mary
{John W., d
{Harvey
----------------------------------------------
Eliza Jane, h {Geneva, h, {Lea M.
1837 – 1871 {Wm. H. Smith...........{Charles
John Foster.............{Metamora, IL {Glenn
{Clara Elnora
----------------------------------------------
Charles O., 1826 – 1840
John O., 1828 – 1855
Amanda, 1839 – 1848
William
Mitchell,
twig above, was born in Floyd County, Indiana, July 31, 1817.
When an infant
the family moved to Vigo County, same state. Eight years later
they moved
to Parke County, same state. In 1833 the family came to Walnut
Grove, now
Eureka, Illinois. Young William was then sixteen years of age.
While there
are five living limbs, and he but a twig, yet he has been the
oldest living
descendant of our ancestral head for many years. "Uncle Will,"
as he has
been familiarly called for a generation, by nearly all, had
Nance blood
that none of the rest of us have. He was a grandson, on his
father’s side,
to Cloa Nance Mitchell. She was first cousin to Clement Nance,
our ancestral
head. Thus he had a double portion of Nance blood.
He was united in marriage with Susan Long, March 29, 1837. Eureka and Mt. Zion, nearby, have been his home for seventy years. Farming has been his occupation. In the early winter of 1835, he and James Oatman drove 355 hogs to Dundee for Thomas Dewees, from Walnut Grove. The distance was about 150 miles. This was no small task at the time, with no roads or bridges, and but a few settlers on the way. Before reaching their destination, some forty miles northwest from Chicago, a deep snow fell which prevented the hogs from traveling. They, therefore, butchered the hogs and sold the pork to the settlers who came from all directions, including Chicago, to lay in their year’s meat. These drovers spent the greater part of the winter chopping for Joseph Oatman, and then returned on foot to Walnut Grove, bringing the money, over one thousand dollars, with which to pay for the hogs.
Uncle Will was one of the sweetest, purest, dearest old gentlemen that I have ever met. He was just like my father and so many of their cousins, whose names appear and are given credit at the proper place. But for his assistance there are many things in this book that could never have been written. He has been my chief helper.
He became a Christian in 1836, obeying the gospel with twenty others in the first large meeting ever held at Walnut Grove. He was early chosen Deacon of the Walnut Grove (now Eureka) Christian Church. When the Mt. Zion church was organized in 1855, he was chosen church treasurer, and also one of the Deacons. After a very few years, he was chosen one of the Elders, which position he held to the date of his death. He held the office of church treasurer for twenty-five years. He was a liberal supporter of Eureka College in its early days when in greatest need.
His
companion
passed away on September 30, 1888, and he was buried on the
fifteenth anniversary
of her death.
Cousin
William
passed peacefully to rest in the morning of September 28,
1903, at the
home of his daughter, Henrietta Reynolds, in Washington,
Illinois, but
a few miles from Mt. Zion where he had lived for so long. A
large concourse
of his friends and relatives gathered at the Mt. Zion Church
on the afternoon
of the thirteenth to pay the last sad rites to one whom all
loved. Singers
from four churches, ‘round about, sang the old hymns, his
favorites, and
Prof. B. J. Radford, of Eureka College, who has been the
preacher at this
church very much of the time for thirty-five years, preached a
fine sermon
from the words, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished
the course,
I have kept the faith." Among many other comforting words he
said: "I think
it was probably easier for Father Mitchell to be good than it
is for some
of us, yet we do not know how much of his goodness was the
result of constant
effort and trusting faith on his part in the early years of
his long Christian
life."
His children were all present at the last sad rites. His daughter, Ella Jennings, came from Minnesota a few hours before his demise. His daughter, Jennie Bullock, and her son, Edwin, came from Toledo, Ohio; his brother, Pleasant, from Sidney, Illinois, and his sister, Mary Bullock, and her family, from Secor, nearby. Only one brother, Frederick, was absent. There were nearly half a hundred relatives gathered around the open tomb where we lay the beloved of all, beside his life’s companion and her mother, Elizabeth Long.
We
tarried
around these graves a full hour, in family greetings. Many had
not met
in years. Some had never met. It was a sweet communion. Owing
to his habit
of attending all state conventions of his church of a
missionary nature,
most of them being held at Eureka, Elder Mitchell was probably
as well
known among the ministers of the state as any man in the
state, outside
their own ranks. Besides, of the one hundred and twenty-five
ministers
who have preached at Mt. Zion since its organization in 1855,
many were
but boys from Eureka College, making their first attempts at
preaching,
but now filling the best pulpits in the land. These all looked
upon Elder
Mitchell as their personal friend, and will so mourn his loss.
Surely
the
prayer of our Lord for His disciples, is answered in Father
Mitchell’s
life. "I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the
world, but that
thou shouldest keep them from the evil." He was kept from the
evil in a
superlative sense. Mr. and Mrs. F. E. Jennings, bud above, are
farmers
in Minnesota. They expect to retire from active farm life
after the present
season, and settle in town nearby. Of their children, William
J. is a railway
mail clerk, Harvey is a commercial traveler, Minnie is a
school teacher.
She is also a teacher of music. Charles is still in high
school. He expects
to study medicine.
Mr. and Mrs. Thos. Bullock, buds, are retired, residing with their children in Toledo, Ohio. Their son is a commercial traveler.
Mr.
and Mrs.
Reynolds, buds, reside in Washington, a quiet retired life.Of
their children,
William is a clothier, at Monmouth, Illinois. Mae is at
home.
Charles Burton – Branch Three
Charles Burton was born in Virginia, in the year 1800. He was reared in Floyd County, Indiana. Here he was united in marriage with Mitta Perkins, August 12, 1819, by his grandfather, Clement Nance, Senior. In 1825 he removed with his family to Parke County, same state, near Rockville. The county at that time was an almost unbroken forest, abounding in wild game. Here he entered a farm and soon had a substantial home, where he continued to reside till his death.
For many years he was engaged, more or less, as a shipper to New Orleans. He was a man of deep religious nature and a member of the Baptist church. He died at the age of fifty-nine, leaving a large family, the care of which rested largely upon his oldest living son, James M.
This couple were the parents of eleven children, those growing to maturity being named below as twigs:
Twigs Buds Blossoms Fruit
Thomas, d. at 22
----------------------------------------------
{Della V.,h, {Clyde
{Mary A., h {Chas. Cougleton........{Carl
Epervia, h, d {Cornelius Thompson,d...........{ {Lawrence
Francis {2nd husband, {Katie, d at 16
Cunningham, d.......{David Atkins, d {Chas. L.
{Cayuga, IN {Francis S. d at 21
{John, killed in Civil War
----------------------------------------------
{Marrietta, h,
{Geo. Moore
{
{Maggie, h,
Elizabeth, h, d {___ Bobo, d
John Caul, d……..........{2nd h, Stewart
{
{Sylvester
{Charles
{James
{Oskaloosa, IA
----------------------------------------------
{Charles J., w, 1867
{Lucy Ross
{Carthage, MO
{
{Jasper Franklin, w,
{1869 – 1904
{Bertha Carrol..........{2 children
{Durango, CO
{
{Sarah Jane, h, 1847 {Fredric C., w,
{Joseph Reed....................{LaCrosse, WA
{Wilcox, WA {Silas L.
{ {Wilcox, WA
{ {
{ {Benjamin R.,w,
{ {Margaret Jones
{ {Wilcox, WA
{ {
Dorothy, h, d { {Jas. Garfield
Silas Stonerock, d......{ {Wilcox, WA
{ {Burton Wiley, 1883
{ {Wilcox, WA
{
{ {Eva, h, {Ina Ruth
{ {Wm. H. Fluke...........{Harley
{ { {Edna
{Ruth, h, {Catharine, h,
{James Hays.....................{Fred Silver............{Harold
{Urbana, IL { {Ethel
{401 N. Organ St. {Fred, w,
{Mae Sewall
{
{Burton
----------------------------------------------
{Florence C., h,
2nd h, Dr. Isaac {Andrew Hunt....................{Myrtle C., 1891
Carmand.........{Cayuga, IN
----------------------------------------------
{Elmonia, an invalid
{from childhood
{
{Charles W., w, {Norwood Nutt
James M., w, 1827 {Flora L. Nutt..................{Byron James
Margaret Coffman........{Crawfordsville, IN {Naomi
Dana, IN { {Harold Nutt
{Sara Belle, h,
{Henry M. Rardin
{Dana, IN
----------------------------------------------
Coleman, w, {Henry, d
Sarah McKeen............{Ballard, d
Cayuga, IN {George F., d
----------------------------------------------
{Jane, h,
{Moses T. Kelly................{Mary Myrtle, 1884
{Rockville, IN
{
{Ellen, h,
Martha, h, {Edward Harvey.................{Hazel
Edward Brockway.........{913 E. 7th St. {Roy
{Pueblo, CO
{
{Sarah, h, 1858, d
{David Wolfe
{ {Jay Edward, 1880
{Lou V., h, {Pueblo, CO
{Aquilla F. Moore, d............{Mildred Estella, 1882
{2024 N. Alabama St. {Ethel May, 1884
{Indianapolis, IN {Clara Belle, 1886
{Members Central {Walter A., 1889
{Christian Church
----------------------------------------------
{Thomas M., single
{Silverwood, IN
{
William, w, {Fred, w,
Sarah Nunger............{Marguerite Randolph............{Carroll F.
{Silverwood, IN
{
{Flora, h,
{Dell Williams..................{Ruth
{Silverwood, IN {Chancey D.
----------------------------------------------
Mary Ellen, h,
Moses Kelly……. {no issue
James M.
Burton,
twig above, was born and reared in Parke County, Indiana. After
his father’s
death, he remained at home until the death of his mother, and
the younger
children could care for themselves. In 1861, he married Margaret
Coffman.
Her parents were from Pennsylvania and of German descent. She
was a devout
Christian, a gentle wife and loving mother, and a member of the
Christian
Church. They settled on a farm in Vermillion County, Illinois,
near Ridge
Farm. He was a frugal and industrious farmer, and as a marked
characteristic
of his family, was noted for his outspoken honesty, morality and
generous
hospitality. No more honorable name was known in his county. He
was always
interested in the church and charitable work of his community,
and generously
contributed to the same, and at the age of sixty, united with
the Presbyterian
church. At the age of fifty-five, financial reverses overtook
him and reduced
him to moderate circumstances, and his children had none of the
aids given
by wealth and high social position.
These parents are spending their reclining years at Dana, Indiana.
"Charles
W.
Burton, bud above, whose likeness is shown herewith, (none in
computer
reproduction) was born in Vermillion County, Illinois,
December 6, 1864.
His father was a farmer, and the lad was, therefore, brought
up on the
farm, attending the district school until thirteen, when he
and his sister,
Belle, entered the Grammar school in the village nearby. Only
the winter
months could be spared for school for Charles. At the age of
seventeen
he met with an accident which made him a cripple for life, and
he was compelled
to leave the farm. He taught in the public schools for three
years, and
entered Wabash College at Crawfordville, Indiana. He remained
here four
years, supporting himself through his own labor.
During
his
first summer vacation he solicited for a subscription book in
Wisconsin
and Minnesota. So wee did he succeed in this work, that he was
soon installed
with one of the largest publishing houses of the country, as a
superintendent
of agencies, which afforded him the means to defray his
college expense.
He was characterized as a diligent, earnest student, modest,
plain, and
more anxious to acquire knowledge than display learning.
At this institution he acquired the reputation of being a good debater, as well as a pleasant and forceful speaker. Here he developed those powers of analysis and argument which have served him well in his profession.
At the close of his college work, he was married to Flora Lydia Nutt, June 18, 1891. She was a devoted wife and mother, an intelligent companion, and conspicuous for her quiet and domestic nature.
Upon leaving college he first engaged in the mercantile business at Covington, Indiana, but so strong was his love for the law, he abandoned the mercantile business, at the age of twenty-eight, to enter the law office of the honorable Judge Jere West, as a student, at Crawfordville.
He
was admitted
to the Crawfordville Bar in November 1894, and at once entered
upon a successful
practice.
In
politics
he was a Democrat, but has never abandoned his profession for
that of politics.
His steadfastness of purpose, his honest desire to accomplish
that which
was for the best interest of his client, has secured for him a
large clientage
and profitable practice.
He is a prominent member in several of the secret orders, a member of the Knights of Pythias, an Odd Fellow, a member of the Grand Lodge of this Order and District Deputy Grand Master for two consecutive terms, and a Mason, having passed the several degrees to that of the rank of Knight Templar.
In 1886, he joined the Presbyterian Church, but upon his marriage he transferred his membership to that of the Methodist Church, in which his wife was a member.
To
those who
know him best, know him to be a man of strong attachments for
his friends,
bearing the truest and deepest affection toward those who had
kindred with,
or claims of friendship or gratitude upon him. The writer of
this brief
sketch has had evidence of this constantly forced upon him,
during an intimate
knowledge of the subject for years. In all, he is an honest
man. An honest
man’s the noblest work of God. His deeds are the best measure
of his life.
His works make his enduring monument. Such is a brief record
of Charles
W. Burton, one of the youngest members of a remarkable family.
The
author
has never met Cousin Charles, although he has had much
correspondence with
him. A friend has furnished the above sketch, and is used, as
it is better
than the author could write from his knowledge. There are
other members
of this branch who have been written up, but the author has
been unable
to procure the data for the same. He knows from what he has
heard in a
general way, that they are worthy, but he has not learned the
art of writing
biography without enough data from which the framework can be
formed. No
one can regret this more than himself.
Lucretia Burton-Cook – Branch Four
Lucretia Burton must have been born in Virginia, about the year 1802. Samuel Cook was born at Staunton, Virginia, but the date is not known. They were married in Floyd County, Indiana, December 10, 1818, Clement Nance, "Minister of the Gospel," performing the ceremony. They settled on a farm in Harrison County, near Lanesville, where they remained a few years, when they removed to New Albany and purchased a farm on the "knobs" near town. He erected the first brick house in town, a grocery and a dwelling. Here they lived many years, he running a grocery. They were Baptists, as I believe most of their descendants are. They were the parents of twelve children, those growing to maturity are named below as twigs. It is said the mother never had her picture taken; that of the father is shown herewith (None in computer reproduction).
The mother died at the home in New Albany, and is buried on the farm on the "knobs." Her death occurred about 1846 or 1847.
The
mother
must have been a great favorite among the Burton family,
judging from the
many Lucretia Cooks found therein.
Twigs Buds Blossoms Fruit
{Lucretia, h, {Mary, h,
{___? Simmons {Porter McKay...........{Cook
{Bolwing Green, KY......{
{ {James
{ {Martha
{
{ {Minnie, h,
{James, w, {___? Stone.............{one child
{Eliza ____?............{child #2
{Bowling Green, KY {child #3
{ {child #4
{
William, w, {Mary, h, d
Rachel Wright, d........{James Jenkins..........{Jennie
{ {William
{Emely, h, d
{___? Jenkins
{
{Rousseau, d
{
{Minnie, h,
{Al Burton..............{Mary
{Bowling Green, KY {Edwin
{
{Rachel, d
----------------------------------------------
{Laura, single
{
John, w, {Charles A., w
(lost in war)...........{Ella Lark..............{Minnie
Mary Brindley, d {New Albany, IN {Walter
----------------------------------------------
David, died in Civil War
----------------------------------------------
Josephus, w, d..........{Josephus
____ ____?
----------------------------------------------
{John H., w {Minnie
{Effie G. Bush..........{Ella L.
{Flint, MI {Emily E.
{
{Amelia A., h,
{Edward Reid............{Emily L.
James H., w, {Forest, Canada {Amelia I.
Emily Maddock...........{
Flint, MI {David J., w,
{Louise Huxley
{Effingham, IL
{
{Annie K.
{Minnie L.
{Samuel, d
----------------------------------------------
Amelia, h, {Mamie, h, {Gilbert
Chas. Stewart, d........{John Hespen............{Amelia
Eureka, IL {Bowling Green, KY {John
Mrs.
Amelia Stewart,
twig above, is living a quiet, retired life at Eureka, Illinois.
She has
been separated from her family nearly all her life, and knows
very little
about them. Cousin Amelia, as she is called in Eureka, is a true
and faithful
Christian, a member of the Presbyterian Church, adorning the
doctrine of
her Savior by a chaste walk and conversation.
Charles A. Cook, bud, is a grocer in New Albany. Is a member of the Baptist Church, and from appearances, is a fine gentleman.
A strange thing to me is, that when I visited him at his store in September 1903, in the midst of two hundred relatives, he did not know he had one in the city. He did not know he was a member of the Nance family. On the other hand, his relatives did not know he was a grandson of Lucretia Burton. I have found others almost as ignorant of their ancestry. Can anyone now doubt the utility of this work?
James H. Cook, twig above, was born in New Albany, in 1839. Went south. Served in the Confederate Army. Afterwards went to Canada, where he married. Now resides at Flint, Michigan.
Elizabeth Burton – Branch Seven
Elizabeth Burton was born May 4, 1808. She was married to Thomas Wright, July 20, 1823, by Clement Nance, and lived at Rockville, Indiana, until about 1862, when her son, Jacob, went after her and brought her to Eureka. She lived a widow many years, loved by all who knew her. She was a consistent Christian, a member of the Methodist Episcopal church nearly all her life. She died at Eureka, July 5, 1890, and was buried there. "Lost to sight, but to memory dear." She was the mother of eleven children, those growing up are named below as twigs. Mr. Wright died in Parke County in 1852.
Twigs Buds Blossoms
Dorothea, h, 1822, d {Josephine
David P. Harber, d..............{Elizabeth
----------------------------------------------
William, w,.....................{Ennis
Mary Marshall
----------------------------------------------
{Lisha, w, d
Josephus, w, {Emma Hale
1827 - 1903 {
Sarah Sibley, d.................{
Urbana, IL {Mary, h,
2nd w, Sarah Gould {Rev. W. N. Tobie...............{one child, d
{Urbana, IL {Helen
----------------------------------------------
{Eva, at home
{ {Pluma
{Theodore, w, {Eva
Sylvester, w, {Julia Foster...................{Florence
Ann Brockway....................{Pittsburg, KS {James B.
Pittsburg, KS {2nd w, Etta Reynolds
{
{Franklin, w,
{Julia Ramsey...................{Helen
{Pittsburg, Ks {2nd child
----------------------------------------------
{Sylvester, w,
{___ ___?
{Milwaukee, WI
{ {Alice
{ {
{ {Stella B., h,
{ {Chas. Kent
{ {Milwaukee, WI
{ {
John H., w, {Calvin, w, {Beulah
Frances Smith...................{Lizzie Staples.................{Clarence
Eureka, IL {West Allis, WI {Blanche
{ {Leta
{ {Leronda
{ {Adolphu
{ {Gladdis
{Elmer, w, {and three others
{Gussie Faulk
{Richmond, IN
----------------------------------------------
Jacob C, w, 1834 {Edmond M.
Nettie Robinson.................{Urbana, IL
Eureka, IL {Muriel E.
{Chicago, IL
----------------------------------------------
Lucretia C., h, {Addie, h,
1838 - 1900.....................{Chas. Dickenson
James L. Myers,d {Mary, St. Louis, MO
----------------------------------------------
Addison, died single
A soldier in the Civil War
----------------------------------------------
Amanda, h,......................{Elizabeth
Daniel McKay
----------------------------------------------
{Stella, h, {Dorothy
{Benj. White....................{Marjory
Benj. Frank, w, {
Emma Hart.......................{Winnie
Los Angeles, CA {Beulah
{Perva
{Feral, d
Josephus Wright
Josephus Wright was born near Rockville, Indiana, January 6, 1827. By his first wife, Sarah Sibley, of Rockville, he had five children. All preceded the father to the grave. His second wife was Sarah Gould, of Eureka, Illinois, whom he married in 18??. By her he had four children, but one of whom survives to cheer her mother in her declining years. Mr. Wright resided many years at Eureka. For ten years he was a clothier in El Paso, Illinois. Afterwards he made his home in Bloomington and Norman, same state, until December 1902. Having sold his home in Norman, he removed to Urbana, where his death occurred June 16, 1903. He had been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for more than forty years. His remains were brought to Eureka, and were laid away from the home of his brother, Jacob. Many of his friends of former years, as well as his relatives, attended the services, which were held at 9:00 a.m., to pay respects to his memory.
Mr.
Wright’s
surviving child is the wife of Rev. W. N. Tobie, pastor of the
Methodist
Episcopal Church at Urbana, Illinois.
Sylvester
Wright
was born in Indiana, about 1829. He was a dry goods merchant
in
Eureka for many years, in partnership with his brother, Frank.
They removed
to Pittsburgh, Kansas, some twenty-five years since,
continuing the same
line of business. He is now retired, leaving his sons in
charge. He is
a life-long Methodist of prominence, a good preacher, having
done much
in that line.
This community was saddened to learn of the sudden and unexpected death of Mrs. J. L. Myers, which occurred at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Addie Dickenson, in Kansas City, on Sunday, October 14, 1900.
Mrs. Myers had just returned from the morning service of her church, and had gone upstairs. When, a few minutes later, she was called to dinner, she made no answer, and investigation showed that she was dead. She had visited some weeks here this summer among relatives and friends, and seemed to be in tolerable health.
Mrs. Myers, whose maiden name was Lucretia Cook Wright, was born at Rockville, Indiana, January 4, 1838. She came with her family to Eureka in 1862, and became an active church worker, helping to organize the Methodist Church here. On April 13, 1869, she was married to J. L. Myers, and her home was here until the husband’s death, July 10, 1887. In 1889, Mrs. Myers removed with her two daughters, Addie and Mary, to Bloomington. In 1895, she went to Kansas City to make her home with her daughter, Mrs. Addie Dickenson. Funeral services were held in Kansas City, conducted by her pastor, Dr. Hughes, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and W. F. Richardson, of the First Christian Church, and the remains were brought here, where, after a short service at the home of her brother, John Wright, she was laid to rest beside her husband.
Mrs.
Myers
was an estimable Christian woman. As daughter, sister, wife,
mother and
Christian, she was conscientious, faithful and loving. The
body was accompanied
by her daughters, son-in-law, and her brother, Frank, and they
must have
been gratified and comforted by the large attendance of former
neighbors
and friends, and the universal sympathy manifested.
--Eureka
(Illinois)
Journal.
Josephus Burton – Branch Eight
Josephus Burton was born April 4, 1810. He married Amanda Watts in 1832. Lived at Rockville, Indiana until 1858, when he removed to Eureka, where he died November 8, 1878. He was a tiller of the soil; a life-long member of the Methodist Church, and a pillar of the same. The author, during his college days, frequently visited his pleasant home at the edge of Eureka. He was the father of eight children, those growing to maturity are named below as twigs:
Twigs Buds Blossoms
{Archa
{David G., w, {Vida
{Ella Hedges....................{Josephine
Sylvester, w, {Eureka, IL {Bertha, d
Eliza P. Ephlin.................{ {Edna
Eureka, IL { {George D.
{Josephus, w,
{Fannie Fewell..................{Della
{Eureka, IL {Lulu
----------------------------------------------
Elizabeth, h, {Earnest, d
A. B. Fairbanks, d..............{Mary E.
2nd h, Jno. Q. Reed {Beatrice, NE
Beatrice, NE
----------------------------------------------
{John, w,
{Ada Godfrey
{
{Ora, h,
{Otha Oldfather
Amelia J., h, d {
William Wells...................{Pearl R., h,
Lexington, NE {Fred Oldfather.................{Claude
{
{Oscar
{Frank
{Carrie, d
{Infant, d
----------------------------------------------
{Lizzie
{Cora
Marion, w, {Edward
Priscilla Gordon................{Evod
Blockton, IA {Dolly
{Nellie
----------------------------------------------
Josephus B., w, {Charles J., w,
Emma L. Chrisman................{Myrtle C. Baird
Beatrice, NE {Walter J.
----------------------------------------------
Ida, h, {Carleton E.
N. E. Washburn..................{
Marysville, KS {Carrie E.
The
family, or
branch above, deserves more of a write-up than they received.
Few families
have been more responsive as to cuts and orders for the
Memorial, as far
as reached by th author. Some of them, however, like too many
others, have
ignored the author entirely. None has furnished any data from
which can
be erected an adequate sketch. Their letters indicate bright,
intelligent
writers.
Miss Mary E. Reed, bud, is a recent graduate from
the
high school of her home city.
Thomas Burton – Branch Nine
Thomas
Burton
first married Caroline Boockway, who bore him three children.
His second
wife was Nancy Wilson, who also gave birth to three children.
He became
quite eminent as a physician. He lived many years at Eureka,
and followed
his profession. In the early 70’s, he disappeared from home
and was never
heard from or seen thereafter. The author always liked to
converse with
the doctor, for he was a fine conversationalist and well
versed in matters
in general. Those of his children growing to maturity are
named below as
twigs:
Twigs Buds Blossoms
Edmond, w, {Clara, h,
Martha Pickard............{___ Adams
----------------------------------------------
by 2nd w, {Archie
Byron, w,.................{Grace
Minerva Falkinson {Howard
{Edna
----------------------------------------------
Charles, w,
Arabella stewart..........{Vivian (or Veva)
----------------------------------------------
Ira
Mary Burton – Branch Ten
Mary Burton and William Guffey were married and were the parents of three children, named as twigs. No one has been found who could give any further information.
Twigs Buds Blossoms
John M., d
----------------------------------------------
Martha, h, {Margaret, d
Joshua McDowell.........{William after returning
{from Civil War
----------------------------------------------
George
James Reed Burton – Branch Eleven
James Reed Burton was born in Floyd County, Indiana, April 2, 1816. When James was a small child the family removed to the interior of the state. He was united in marriage with Mary Shirk, about 1841. They came to Eureka at an early day, about 1846, from Parke County, Indiana. He lived a highly honored and respected citizen until 1865, when he passed to the reward of the righteous. From all accounts he must have been one of God’s most noble men. He was an active member of the Christian Church. He was the father of eight children, those growing to maturity are named below as twigs.
The
mother
brought the children up to be true and good citizens. The
author spent
two years in the home of this family while in college, and can
say truthfully
that he never had a better, nor more pleasant home. The mother
lived to
see all her children grown and happily married.
Twigs Buds Blossoms
Sarah A., h, {Lulu, h,
Rev. B. B. Tyler.........{Rev. Errett Gates.............{Tyler
Denver, CO {Chicago, IL
----------------------------------------------
{Stella
{
{Eudora S., h,
{Walter C. Paige
{Louisville, KY
David T., w, d {
Lou Parker...............{Thomas R.
Ladoga, IN {Chicago, IL
{
{Elizabeth, h,
{Ira E. Dickinson
{Hammond, IN
{
{Mellie
----------------------------------------------
{Charles, w,
Mellie, h, {Nellie B. Smith, d............{Michael Mortimer
M. D. Coffeen............{
Chicago, IL {Olive, h,
{Howard Cook...................{Howard C.
{Chicago, IL {Olive Dorothy
----------------------------------------------
Ella, h, d {Mamie, d
S. A. Marney, d..........{Aimee
----------------------------------------------
Joseph, w, {Hattie
Lou McKnight.............{Earl
Chicago, IL
----------------------------------------------
Olive, h, {Lulu
Dr. S. W. Lakin..........{Mellie
Eureka, IL
----------------------------------------------
James Frank, w, {Ella Marguerite
Anna Harris..............{Harris
Chicago, IL
Sarah A.
Burton,
twig above, was born in Parke County, Indiana in 1845, and came
with her
parents to Illinois in 1846. Her girlhood was spent in Eureka
and vicinity.
She was educated in Eureka College. She met Young Tyler in the
classroom
in Eureka College. The result is told below; Mrs. Tyler is
bright, cheery,
free and genial with friends and acquaintances, but is cautious,
and just
a little reserved in her intercourse with strangers and casual
acquaintances.
Her timidity, when it comes to doing anything in public, is
painful. She
shrinks from doing anything in public with an almost agony of
pain. Nevertheless,
her ability, of which she seems to be altogether unconscious,
has compelled
her at times to occupy positions of prominence. She has been a
member of
the Board of Managers of the Christian Woman’s Board of
Missions.
During her residence in New York, she was, for a season, President of the Christian Woman’s Board of Missions in New York State. She is especially interested in the educational work of the Christian Woman’s Board of Missions, carried on in connection with a number of our state universities, and in Calcutta, India. When she talks on this subject, or almost any other in which the Christian Woman’s Board of Missions is interested, in private or in a meeting of friends and acquaintances, she flings her fears to the winds and waxes really eloquent.
During her residence in New York, 1883 to 1896, she was an ardent friend of the McCall Missions in France. She was the active head of a large sewing school in New York, in which girls were trained to be self-supporting. She was largely instrumental in getting up a school of instruction in parliamentary law for ladies, during this period of her life. She established, in connection with the Church of Disciples on West Fifty-Sixth Street, a station of the "Penny Provident Fund," a scheme for training the children of the poor in habits of thrift. With all this zeal in service, and efficiency as well, when she is asked to participate in public exercises, she is wont to say, "Go to my husband. He is the talker in the family. He preaches, I practice."
In the home Mrs. Tyler is the queen. There is no brighter, happier home to be found than the one in which she presides. In New York her home was always open to young people, and others, sojourning in the city and attending the church of which her husband was pastor.
In the South Broadway Christian Church, Denver, one who knows her well says, "Her influence is quiet, bright, cheery, all-pervading and thoroughly Christian. If her husband’s life has been fruitful of good, his wife is in every respect a worthy companion, and in the day of final reckoning, great will be her reward."
Mr. and Mrs. Tyler have recently purchased a fine home in Denver, and they are rejoicing that, for the first time in their lives, they are living "under their own vine and fig tree."
Benjamin Bushrod Tyler was born on a farm near Decatur, Illinois, April 9, 1840. His father was John W. Tyler, from English stock. His mother was Sarah Roney, from Irish stock. Both were born in Kentucky, but were married in Illinois. He was ordained to the work of the Baptist ministry before leaving Kentucky. As in Kentucky, so in Illinois, he combined farming, school-teaching and preaching the gospel. Soon after his removal to Illinois, he began the reading of the Christian Baptist, and later read the Millennial Harbinger, monthly publications edited by Alexander Campbell. He was pleased with Mr. Campbell’s conception and presentation of the Christian religion. Almost unconsciously, he became identified with the "Campbellites," the "Reformers," the "Disciples of Christ." Situated as he was, he had unusual success in winning not only to the Christ, but to the then new views of the Christian religion. Thus it was that his son was brought up in the faith of the Disciples, or Christians.
On July 31, 1859, in a meeting held in a grove near the old home, five or six miles east of Decatur, Benjamin Bushrod Tyler confessed Christ. His father was the preacher. The next morning he was baptized by his father, in the Sangamon River. "Those days," he says, "are full of sweetness. An experience was passed through that can never be forgotten, neither in this world, nor the world to come." At once he began to prepare for his life work. His desire was to preach. He felt that he was not good enough. He inclined for a time to the vocation of school teacher. Law received some consideration, and possessed attractions for the young man, but even in this case, if he should become a lawyer, the ministry was to be the climax. In September 1859, he entered Eureka College to prepare for the ministry. While in the college he used his talents in speaking for some of the churches ‘round about, and in 1861 he assisted the state evangelist in a meeting at Litchfield. Young Tyler did his share of preaching in this meeting, the meeting resulting in sixty-five additions to the church. On September 4, 1861, he was set apart to the work of the ministry by prayer and the laying on of hands. At once he entered the employ of the Montgomery-Macoupin County Christian Co-Operation as evangelist, his renumeration to be $20.00 per month. This continued one year and resulted in the addition of three hundred members to the churches of the co-operation.
While a student at Eureka, Young Tyler met Miss. Sarah A. Burton, twig above. They formed attachments which culminated in their marriage in Eureka, December 25, 1862.
The first pastorate of Mr. Tyler was of the Christian Church in Charleston, Illinois, of three years, from December 1864 to December 1867. The second was one of five years, at Terre Haute, Indiana, from December 1867 to December 1872. The third was at Frankfort, Kentucky, from January 1873 to May 1876. The fourth was with the First Christian Church, Louisville, Kentucky, of seven years, from May 1876 to June 1883. The fifth was in New York City, West Fifty-Sixth Street, from October 1883 to October 1896, thirteen years. His last and present pastorate, that of the South Broadway Church, Denver, Colorado, began in September 1900.
Mr. and Mrs. Tyler visited Europe in 1880. He went to London as a delegate to a World’s Sunday School Convention, from the Kentucky Sunday School Union. He became a member of the Executive Committee of the International Sunday School Association. He named the first member of the International Sunday School Lesson Committee, the late Isaac Errett. After Mr. Errett’s demise, Mr. Tyler was elected to the vacancy by the International Sunday School Convention in Pittsburgh in 1890. He has been a member of this committee from that time to the present.
The International Sunday School Convention, in Denver, in June 1902, elected Mr. Tyler its president, which position he will hold until the next Internation Convention, at Toronto, in 1905.
For ten years, during his residence in New York, he contributed a letter each week to the Christian Standard, under the heading, "New York Letter." He was a member of the Board of Managers of the American Bible Society, and served of the "Committee of Versions," with the Rev. Dr. Howard Corsby, Talbot W. Chambers and others of similar character, learning and fame.
Drake University conferred on Mr. Tyler the degree of Doctor of Divinity. He accepted the proffered honor in spite of a strong feeling among the Disciples against such titles, in the interest, as he said, of the liberty which belongs to one of Christ’s freemen. He does not fancy the title and says that he does not deserve it.
During his residence in New York he acted as President of the Christian Endeavor Union of New York and vicinity. It was the year during which preparations were in progress for the Great International Endeavor convention in New York in 1892. Just before the convention, he was prostrated from over-work, but during the convention was able to appear on the platform of the great Madison Square Garden and speak to an audience of fifteen thousand people. His recovery from the attack of nervous prostration was a surprise to his physician, Dr. W. E. Rounds of New York City. The doctor solemnly charged him to be careful and not permit a recurrence of the attack. With the beginning of 1896 there were unmistakable symptoms of similar breakdown.
His resignation as pastor was tendered. The church declined to accept it. He pressed the resignation with the result that an agreement was reached that it take effect October 1, 1896. Some of the members said, "We want you to take one more vacation at our expense." And it was so. After leaving New York, some time was taken in resting and recuperating. He did, subsequently, an itinerant work among churches. He called himself "a didactic evangelist."
Mrs. Tyler’s health gave way in September 1900, rendering it impossible to continue this character of work. He went to Denver and accepted the pastorate of the South Broadway Christian Church, as told elsewhere.
Early in the year of 1903, Mr. and Mrs. Tyler visited Egypt and the Holy Land, Mr. Tyler acting as chaplain of the "cruise." The journey was called "The Bible Student’s Oriental Cruise."
If an expression of the membership of the Christian church could be taken as to the most influential family of preachers in the church at this time, I have no doubt the Tyler family would receive the meed. This, not only because of their pastoral work and record, but also because of the great activity of B. B. in the Sunday School work, and of both B. B. and J. Z. in the Christian Endeavor work. I have no doubt that B. B. Tyler would be voted the most popular preacher among us at the present day.
Luly Tyler Gates, bud above, whose likeness appears herewith (None in computer reproduction), filled a week’s engagement at the Bloomington, Illinois, Chautauqua, two successive seasons. The author had the pleasure of hearing her many times, besides on various other occasions. He is free to say that the following encomiums, selected from hundreds, are not overdrawn.
The Nance family have produced, and are producing, lawyers, doctors, preachers, writers and musicians galore, but as far as known, Mrs. Gates is the only reader and impersonator in the family. She is fast winning her way to the very front rank in her profession.
The Record-Herald in Chicago says, "Lulu Tyler Gates is a remarkable woman. In reading and recitation she gives unmistakable evidence of that indefinable something which soothes, inspires and cheers all who are fortunate enough to hear her." It is the candid opinion of the writer that Mrs. Gates possesses talents far superior to many whose names have taken first rank among the gifted readers and impersonators of the day. The strong intense nature of splendid Christian character of this most excellent woman dominate, control and charm the most critical auditor.
N. N. Riddell says, "After listening to Mrs. Gates, in six programs of nearly an hour each, in the open air, before a Chautauqua audience, I take great pleasure in commending her work to the public, and especially to managers in need of a first-class artist."
F. L. Jones, Indiana State Superintendent of Public Instruction, says, "I wish to commend most heartily Lulu Tyler Gates, of Chicago, who gives to her audiences an entertainment of very high order. In many respects she excels readers of wider repute, and gives, on the whole, the most satisfactory readings I have heard."
Leland T. Powers says, "Lulu Tyler Gates has already proven her right to a front rank in the profession. When I heard her before a Chautauqua audience at Bloomington, Illinois, her work was received with great enthusiasm by the audience, and with good reason. She is artistic, unaffected and with remarkable dramatic ability."
G. P. Coler, Professor of Biblical Literature, University of Michigan says, "I heard Lulu Tyler Gates give six readings at Fountain Park Assembly this year. Her time on the program was 4:30 to 5:30 P.M., just after the audience had listened to some noted lecturer for an hour or longer. But she held the audience day after day with growing interest, and a larger number remained to hear her each day. She is a gifted woman, her power as a reader and impersonator is very great – far beyond that of most people who appear on the platform in that role."
The Call, LaFayette, Indiana says, "Of all the splendid attractions at the Chautauqua, the readings of Mrs. Lulu Tyler Gates are probably attracting the most attention. She was scheduled to be on the afternoon program each day, but so great has been the demand of the public to hear her, that Superintendent Shaw has been forced to ask her to appear in the evenings, which she has consented to do."
(This happened a number of times at the Bloomington Chautauqua – Author.)
We shall close these quotations with one from the Pantagraph, Bloomington, Illinois, "Women and children were delighted."
Mrs. Gates was in this city January 15, with the Lulu Tyler Gates’ Concert Company, filling a number of the Wesleyan Lecture Course. The company are all artists, and delighted a very large audience. The author and his daughter enjoyed a very pleasant call on Cousin Lulu at the hotel.
Wiley C. Burton – Branch Twelve
Wiley C. Burton was born in Floyd County, Indiana, October 26, 1819. His first wife was Elizabeth Noel. She was the mother of four children. Julia Branch was his second wife. She bore him four children. He as been stock-raising in the Black Hills since 1876. His address is Elm Springs, South Dakota. He is the oldest of our family living. His children are named below as twigs:
Twigs Buds Blossoms
Joseph, w, {Joseph W.
Mary Stephens............{Scott Nance
Elm Springs, SD {Cole Noel
----------------------------------------------
Sarah E., h, d, {Blanche
E. H. Rawson.............{Slater, IA
{Edward
----------------------------------------------
{Smith
Lucretia, h, d {Bert B.
G. H. Russell............{Des Moines, IA
{Bessie E.
{Omaha, NE
----------------------------------------------
Ella C., h,
A. B. Hunter
2518 College Ave.
Berkeley, CA
----------------------------------------------
Clarence
----------------------------------------------
Albert J., w, {Nellie
Lydo Hanen...............{Earle
Pedro, SD
CHAPTER III
Mosias Nance – Limb Two
Mosias Nance was born in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, May 26, 1777. He died in Indiana, January 6, 1857.
Margaret Denton was born in Virginia, March 1, 1781, and died in Indiana, March 3, 1833.
They were married in the county of his birth, August 17, 1797. They moved to Kentucky about 1804, settling near the Kentucky River. After a few years they followed his father to Indiana, Floyd County. He secured a farm adjoining that of his father, on which he continued to reside during life. He was a man of great faith, remaining through life, true to the "old Christian order," usually called New Lights. He was a great sufferer during the last few years of his life. Losing the use of his lower limbs, he would crawl over the floor like a child. Not once was he known to lose his patience, but always exhibited the same calm, resigned, cheerful spirit, which he was known to possess. He frequently remarked, during these days of affliction, "Once a man, twice a child." He died at the home of his daughter, Elizabeth Russell, when nearly eighty, and was buried on the farm on which he had resided for half a century. Like Abraham, he "died in a good old age, an old man, full of years."
They were the parents of nine children, the first born dying in infancy. The other eight lived to have families of their own. They are named below as branches.
On
March 20,
1834, grandfather was married to Mrs. Nancy Humphrey. Later,
he was united
in marriage with Mrs. Nancy Walden, who survived him.
Clement
Denton
Nance
William
Joseph
Nance
Mosian
Nance,
Jr.
Nancy
May
Hancock
Mary..(Russell,
Routh)
Elizabeth
Jane
Russell
David
Nance
Margaret
Perkins
Wolf
Dr. Clement D. Nance – Branch One
Dr. Clement D. Nance was born in Virginia, September 17, 1802. Died December 21, 1867. Margaret Calhoun was born January 17, 1802. Died December 21, 1883. They were married August 8, 1824. Moved to Whiteside County, Illinois, about 1836.
Clement D. farmed, preached and studied medicine. About 1850, he gave up personal attention to the farm, quit preaching, and for the balance of his life, devoted himself to his large and constantly growing practice. He was eminently successful in the treatment of diseases. The goodness of his heart forbade his making adequate charges for his professional services. Many a man with his practice would have amassed a fortune. He had a farm before he began his practice. He had the same farm at the close of life, and little more. He died on the same farm on which he had lived so long, mourned by a large circle of friends. He was a member of the Chrisian church all his mature life. Eight children were reared by this couple, named below as twigs. "Uncle Clem" was a great favorite in my father’s family, especially among we children, as in fact he was wherever known. "Aunt Peggy" lived some sixteen years after the death of uncle. She lived a happy and contented retired life. It was always a joy to have her visit us.
Twigs Buds Blossoms
{Agnes
{David, w, {Leona L.
{Martha Alley...........{Eva B.
{ {Ada B.
{ {David A.
Rutha, h, { {Herbert
Benj. Tripp.............{
{
{ {Laura, h,
{ {Matt Simpson
{ {
{Margaret, h, {Edith
{Jas. A. Dunbar.........{Charles
{George
{Lida
{Ella
{James A.
{David F.
----------------------------------------------
Mosias, w, {Della, h,
Melinda Paich...........{Harry Jones............{Leonard
----------------------------------------------
William C., w, {Maud
Eliza Jeans.............{Charles, w.............{Jennie
Olin, IA {Effie Taylor {Grace
2nd w, Jane ___? {Opie
(died a young lady)
----------------------------------------------
{William, w,
{City Buster............{Clarence E
Nancy Ann, h, {
Geo. Mitchell, d........{Jennie, h, {Kittie
White Horse, OK {Jno. Woodruff..........{Clara
{ {Cecil
{Pearl, h,
{Jas. Watson............{Ralph
----------------------------------------------
{Elmer, w, {Mary E.
Elizabeth, h, d {Lizzie Grady...........{Ada
Wm. Louden..............{ {Erwin
Main Prairie, MN {Clinton, w,
{Annie St. Agnis
----------------------------------------------
John (drowned in the Mississippi
River at Fulton, IL -- July 4, 1863
----------------------------------------------
Joseph, w, d {Josie, h,
Nancy Jeans, d..........{John Miller
William J. Nance -- Branch Two
William Joseph Nance was born in Kentucky, November 4, 1804, and died February 16, 1859. He was married to Elizabeth LaFollette, July 6, 1826, by Clement Nance, Senior. After the birth of two children, the mother died. On October 25, 1833, he was married to Elizabeth Compton, who survived him several years, dying November 2, 1882.
Mr. Nance spent his entire life on the farm where the family settled, after losing the Oatman claim near New Albany.
These were all faithful and consistent members of the Christian Church.
By his second marriage there were ten children. These twelve are named below as twigs:
Twigs Buds Blossoms Fruit
{William E., w, d {Ellery R.
{Emma Gerdes.... {Arthur E.
{ {3.
{Esabinda, h, {Hattie Mae, h,
{John H. Becker.........{Chas. A. Wink
{Coleta, IL {Milledgeville, IL
{ {
{ {Arthur J.
{ {Harvey N.
{ {Johnnie Clair
{ {Chas. Ray, d
{Hattie, h, d
{John Fritz......... {Belle
Jas. Harvey, w, d { {Bowie, TX
Eleanor Smith, d........{
{Rebecca, h {Clarence
{Adam Linebaugh.........{Katie
{Sterling, IL {John
{
{Stanton, w,
{Sarah Bushman..........{no issue
{Sterling, IL
{
{Annie, h, {Harvey Daniel
{Thos. Johnson..........{Percilla Eleanor
{Astoria, IL
----------------------------------------------
Nancy May, h, d.........{no issue
David Lemuel
----------------------------------------------
{George, w, d...........{George
{Mary Lowe
John, w, { {Carrie, d
Lucy Hamersly, d........{ {Minnie
Edwardsville, IN { {George
{Sallie, h,.............{Edward
{Phil. Walker {Joseph
{St. Louis, MO {Walter
2nd w, Lydia Speakes, d {Clyde, d
3rd w, Mary Ward
----------------------------------------------
{Emma, h, {Robert
{Jack Bryant............{Mary
{Duncan, IN {Edward
{
{ {Ivan
{Annie, h, {Sherman
{Wm. Oaks...............{John
{Alexandria, IN {Bethel
{ {Mamie
{ {Orval
{William C.,Jr.,w,
Wm. Coleman,w, {Lizzie Blunk...........{Grace
Mary Criswell..... {New Albany, IN {James Joseph
New Albany, IN {
{Lou, h, {Roscoe
{Sherman Baylor.........{Virgie D.
{Little River, KS
{ {William
{McClellen, w, {John
{Nettie Garvin..........{Charles
{New Albany, IN {Catharine
{ {Julius
{John
{New Albany, IN
----------------------------------------------
{Wallace, w,............{3 children
{___? Drake
{Chalmers, IN
Harriet, h, d {
Samuel Watts............{Edgar, w,
{New Richmond, IN
{
{Wilber
{Chalmers, IN
----------------------------------------------
{Jesse, w,
{Annie Kinsley, d.......{Dallas
{Edwardsville, IN
{
{James, w,
{Ola Martin.............{Earl, d
{New Albany, IN {Guy
Alonzo Clement,w {
Jane Ayers..............{Clarence, w,
Edwardsville, IN {Mary Sillings..........{Artie
{Edwardsville, IN {Clement, 1903
{
{Edgar, w,
{Minnie O. Richert
{Utan, IN
{
{Noah F., at home
----------------------------------------------
{Pearl, h,
{Will Ford
Elizabeth, h, {Lanesville, IN
Jason Smith,d...........{
Lanesville, IN {Herbert, w,
{Stella Knittle
{
{Dallas
{Cleveland
2nd h, Wm. Brock........{Charles
{Oath Alonzo
----------------------------------------------
{Cora, h, {Alberta
Emma, h, {Grant Bowman...........{Charles
Mack Gunn { {Curtis
Lanesville, IN {Garfield
{Laura Belle
----------------------------------------------
Frank, w, {Wallace
Sallie Kepley, d........{Richard
Chalmers, IN {Phoebe, h,
{___? Drake
----------------------------------------------
{Charles
{
La Fayette, w, d {Jas. Dallas, w,
Addie Riley, d..........{ Catharine Yost........{Emmett Chester {
{ New Albany, IN
{
{Harry
----------------------------------------------
Annie, h, d.............{no issue
John W. Fowler, d
----------------------------------------------
{Hattie, h, d
{Roscoe Keith...........{Oscar
Charles, w, {
Linnie Smith............{Samuel
Edwardsville, IN {Maud
{Herbert
{Luella
James
Harvey
Nance, twig above, was born in Floyd County, about 1827. When a
young man,
he came to Illinois, Whiteside County, and purchased a farm.
Next year
he married in his native county, and came at once to the farm.
Here he
resided through life, himself and wife dying a few years since;
loved and
respected by all who knew them. They were ever faithful, earnest
Christians,
members of the Christian Church, as also are their children.
John Nance, twig above, is a farmer and fruit grower, adjoining the old homestead. He is one of the most intelligent fruit growers with whom I have conversed. He and family are also members of the Christian Church.
Alonzo Clement Nance, twig above, is also a farmer and fruit grower on the old homestead. He and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Charles Nance, twig above, is a farmer, residing on and owning the homestead of our grandfather, and also owner of most of the farm of his father. This family are also Methodists.
Mosias Nance – Branch Three
Mosias Nance, Junior, was born April 3, 1807. He married Catherine Chamberlain, January 10, 1828, in Floyd County, Clement Nance performing the ceremony. They moved to Whiteside County, Illinois, in the early 30’s, where he died before many years. Two children were born to this union, one dying in infancy. The mother returned with her son to Floyd County, Indiana. The son is named below as a twig.
In 1853, Elder John Yager, a prominent preacher and Elder in the Christian Church in Northern Illinois for over a half century, went to Indiana, married the widow, and brought her back to Whiteside County, Illinois, where they lived happily until 1863, when she passed away, mourned by all who knew her. "Aunt Kate" was one of the brightest conversationalists the author has ever known. Whether defending the faith of the Christian Church or the Democratic Party, she was more than a match for any one she ever met.
Twigs Buds Blossoms
{Emma D., h, 1861-1883 {Raymond Ward,
{J. V. Brazie...........{died at 16
{ {Adda, d
Francis Marion, w, { {Fred E.
1829 -- 1901 {Lucy, h
Isabinda Stanley........{Edgar Bagley...........{Lyndon Harold
Harlan, IA { {Russell Oran
{Katherine, h,
{Rev. W. A. Moore
{
{Sarah, h,
{Clifton G. Warren
Francis
Marion
Nance was born in New Albany, Indiana, June 21, 1829. In his
young manhood
he was engaged in the river trade, being engineer on various
boats plying
between New Orleans and St. Louis, and up the Ohio to
Louisville. These
were years when steamboating was in its palmiest days. During
"low water"
in the summer, he would come to Illinois, Whiteside County,
Genesee Grove
Township, now Coleta, to see his mother. These visits were
seasons of pleasure
to the younger of the kin who loved Cousin Frank and his river
stories.
It was during these visits that he met Miss Isabinda Stanley,
the recognized
belle of the township, whom he married, September 29, 1857. He
left the
river at once, and settled on a farm he had purchased in the
vicinity.
Here they lived until 1864, when they moved to Washington
County, Iowa.
In 1872 they settled at Harlan, Iowa, where he became a large
land owner.
He died at home, September 1, 1901, of paralysis, aged seventy-two years. Seven daughters were given to this delightful couple, but three were taken away in infancy, and one at the age of twenty-two. Those growing to maturity are named above as buds.
Mrs. Isabinda Nance has always been a great worker in church and Sunday school. She continues to reside at Harlan, where they spent the last thirty years of their married life. Her life is a benediction to any church or community in which she lives.
One daughter, "Kittie," has done considerable work as singing evangelist. She is said to be a very fine singer. She is the wife of W. A. Moore, a sketch of whose life, see below.
They are all members of the Christian Church, and reside at Harlan, Iowa.
William Atwell Moore, named above, was married to Miss Katharine Nance, at Harlan, Iowa, April 23, 1895. Not having a personal acquaintance with Mr. Moore, I will allow "Our Young Folks" of St. Louis, in its issue of June 6, 1900, to speak of him:
"William A. Moore is the popular pastor of Hammett Place, which is one of the most promising Christian Churches in St. Louis. Of course he was reared in the country – almost all of our best preachers were. He was born near Coon Rapids, Guthrie County, Iowa, July 24, 1869. The life of a country lad, with its close contact with health-giving, invigorating nature, built for him a splendid robust frame, which entitles him to be called a large, strong and well-proportioned man. He graduated at the Guthrie County High School. He then entered Drake University. After graduation he taught school at his old home for one year, preaching on Lord’s days in the same school house.
In 1893, he began pioneer work for our cause, at Lewis, Cass County, Iowa. Here he labored for four years. When he began, we had neither congregation nor building; when he finished his work we had a first-class article of each.
In 1897, he received an urgent call to the large and active church at Webster City, Iowa. This he accepted, very much against the wishes of the church of his planting at Lewis.
Under his direction the work at Webster City grew rapidly in all the essentials of a really spiritual organization, the church and Bible school becoming the leading ones of the city, and second to but few in the state of Iowa, outside of Des Moines. Brother Moore has never forgotten that he was a boy (perhaps it would be more correct to say ‘is a boy’), and his sympathy with, as well as his labors for, the boys, have made him well known in his native state. In June 1898, he was elected Brigadier-General of the Boy’s Brigade in Iowa. His earnest work and intelligent methods in the Bible school, won for him the distinction of State Superintendent of Bible School Work in 1899. Both of these positions, as well as that of beloved pastor of the splendid church at Webster City, he surrendered to take up the work at Hammett Place Church, St. Louis, Missouri, January 1, 1900. The inducements held out to him to make this change, were not a finer church building, a larger congregation, a better salary, or greater honors, but simply a more needy field. It took the congregation at Webster City six months to ‘let go’ of him."
The same paper of March 25, 1903, has this additional to say: (A small portion of the article is all I have room for.)
"On the first page of this issue we reproduce a picture of W. A. Moore, of St. Louis, who has just resigned the pastorate of the Hammett Place Church, after an incumbency of over three years. He leaves to accept the position of General Evangelist, or Association Corresponding Secretary of the Missouri Christian Sunday School Association, a position for which he is admirably fitted. His ministry at Hammett Place has been eminently successful, and his departure is lamented by every man, woman and child in the church and Sunday school, but he conscientiously felt that it was a divine call to what may prove to be a larger and more fruitful field.
On Monday evening, March 2, and audience that taxed the church building to its utmost capacity, gathered for a parting meeting. In addition to the members of the church, school and society, representatives were present from several other churches of the city. There was a brief program of prayers, songs and testimonials. The chairman spoke on behalf of the official board of the church, superintendents of the two Sunday schools for their constituencies; their president for the Endeavor Society, and the president of the Christian Woman’s Board of Missions for that organization, all testifying of the great service the pastor had rendered in their respective fields of labor, and expressing the regret of all at his departure. The chairman of the Christian Ministerial Association, of the city, was present, and testified of the high esteem in which he is held among his ministerial brethren.
We have seldom, if ever known a case in which the relationship existing between a pastor and his people was so cordial. It will require a large man in more senses than one, to fill the place which his departure leaves vacant."
The author wishes to call special attention to this family, noting that not only is every descendant of Uncle Mosias named, but also the likeness of every one living is given. "Aunt Kate" was his dearest aunt, and Frank a little the nearest cousin in affection. Besides, his wife was a member of the leading family in the church and community, and her brother, Ellis, now Elder E. J. Stanley, of Champaign, Illinois, has, from childhood, been the best life-long bosom companion and chum he has ever had.
Nancy May Nance – Branch Four
Nancy May Nance was born November 16, 1809. Married James Handcock, September 17, 1826, by Clement Nance. Died February 2, 1832. She lived all her life in Floyd County, Indiana. One child was born to this union, named below as twig:
Twigs Buds Blossoms
{Lafayette, (single)
{Norman, IL
{
{Harvey, w, 1851-1904
{Bettie McCone..........{Alberta May
{Bristol, IL {Roy
{
{ {Edith
{William, w, {Clarence R.
{Margaret Gasney........{Retser
{Butler, MO {Edna
{ {Nina
Isabelle, h, 1830-1871 { {Fay
Charles W. Russell......{Maria Abigail, h,
She was born Nov. 14, {___ Manor..............{no issue
1830. Married May 30, {
1849. Moved to Wood- {Nancy May, h
ford Co, IL, near {Al Bolin...............{Bertha
Secor, in 1855, and {Normal, IL {Leota
lived near there until {
she died Dec. 15, 1891 {Hawley, w,
Was a member of the {Belle Eads.............{no issue
Christian church, & {Hanna City, IL
died in the faith. {
She was the mother of {Charles Lee, (single)
ten children, eight of {
whom survive her. {Isabelle, h, 1865 {Charles Jessie
{Chas. Stevens..........{Lester Lee
{Secor, IL {Anna Leah
Mary (Polly) Nance-(Russell)(Routh) – Branch Five
Mary (Polly) Nance was born in Floyd County, Indiana, August 1, 1812. She was married to Anthony Russell, June 3, 1830. By him she had three children, when she was left a widow. On June 16, 1836, she married Joseph Routh, by whom she had five children. These eight children are named below as twigs. Aunt "Pop" passed away December 30, 1876, in the township where she was born, and in which she had lived nearly all her life.
Twigs Buds Blossoms
{Mary F., h,
{C. J. Frederick........{Randall J.
{New Albany, IN
{
{William A., w, {1.
William N., w, {Effie Armstrong........{2.
Martha A. Sinex.........{New Albany, IN {3.
New Albany, IN {
{Martha May, h, {Horace
{Jno. B. Sweeney........{William C.
{Denver, CO {Sarah Fern
{
{John L., single, at home
----------------------------------------------
{William
Charles, w, {
Eliza Mann..............{Belle, h,
West Baden, IN {___? Harmon............{4 children
{2nd h, ___? Jackson
----------------------------------------------
{Mary E., h, {Georgie
{C. Trotter.............{Flora
Mosias N. Routh, w, d {Titus, IN {Jessie
Nancy A. Kirk, d........{William J., w
{Anna Easley............{Lona
{St. Louis, MO
----------------------------------------------
{Joseph E., w, {Walter
{Mattie Duncan..........{Mary G.
Margaret, h, d..........{Louisville, KY {Evan
Jas. W. Twomey, d { {James
{Edward T.
{Cloverdale, IN
{Charles
{Cloverdale, IN
{Effie P., h,
{Geo. McCarthy..........{Stella Alice
{Jeffersonville, IN
{
{Bertha May, h, {Chas. Homer
2nd h, Phil R. Smith, d.{Wm. Ellison............{Ethel
{Jeffersonville, IN
{
{Virgie C., h
{Geo. Murphy
{Jeffersonville, IN
----------------------------------------------
Henry H., w {William H, w, 1864 - 1894
Amanda Fitch............{Nellie Bowman
Salem, IN {
{Eugene S.
----------------------------------------------
{Mary A., h, {Herbert
{Geo. M. Harritt........{Ethel May
{Lanesville, IN {William
{ {Ruth
Theodore F., w, {John H., w,
Amanda Reunbley........ {Rella Beard............{Edna Minnie
Lanesville, IN {Lanesville, IN {Newman L., d
{
{Minnie May, h
{John Budd
{New Albany, IN
----------------------------------------------
Eperva, h, d {Mary C., h,
Thos. F. Busby, d.......{Harry Hindmarch........{Daisy June
{New Albany, IN
{Charles T., w,
2nd h, Chas. T. Stockdale.{Mary Granger.........{Harry H.
{
{John B., w,
{Lena Burgh
William
Harry
Routh, bud above, was born in New Albany, Indiana, January 8,
1864. When
eleven years of age, his parents moved to Salem, Indiana, where
he spent
the remainder of his years. He was married in 1866. The
following is taken
from a local paper, concerning his sickness and death. He died
October
17, 1894:
"He and his wife were on a short visit to East St. Louis when he was stricken with peritonitis, which took him away in less than three weeks.
If death can be robbed of his sting; if the pathway to the tomb can be smoothed, surely Harry Routh goes to the grave in ‘ways of peace and paths of pleasantness.’ He did not fear death, but met it like a brave soldier. Often he told his loving friends he was ready to die; that he was leaning on the arms of Jesus, who would safely conduct him across the dark sea. Pure in life, prepared for death, the name of Jesus was on his lips to the last. He had been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for eight years. No one could view the concourse who met him at the depot, without being deeply impressed with the fact that Harry Routh was beloved by everybody. The grief of all classes was universal, because a friend of his race was being borne away to the dark shadows of the grave."
Elizabeth Jane Nance-Russell – Branch Six
Elizabeth Jane Nance was born June 30, 1815. Hawley Russell was born February 16, 1808. They were married February 22, 1832. They lived all their lives in southern Indiana. They died in Floyd County; Aunt "Bet" in October 1881, and Uncle Hawley in April, 1882. The author never saw this couple after he grew up, but has always heard so much about them that they seem like old friends.
Three children were born to this union, named below as twigs. This family were members of the United Brethren Church.
Twigs Buds Blossoms
{Ulysses G., w, {Jessie
{Annie L. James..........{Allie May
Margaret, h, d {Pekin, IN {Arthur G., Jr.
John W. Speake..........{
{Arthur, w,
{Seppie Wells............{Ferrell
{Pekin, IN
----------------------------------------------
Nancy May, h {Jos. Alonzo, w {Violet May
Phillip Pectol, d.......{Hattie J. Doughten......{Corrinne
{Galena, IN {Ira A.
{Mary A.
2nd h, John S. Norman...{Lennie E., h,
Galena, IN {Jesse L. Schwartz.......{Irma
{Galena, IN
----------------------------------------------
{Lilly, h,
Francis M., w {Albert Deich............{Clyde Dale
Cally Crotts {
Bedford, IN {William
{Ella
{Jessie
David Nance – Branch Seven
David Nance was born in Franklin Township, Floyd County, Indiana, January 1, 1818. He died at Harvey, Illinois, November 30, 1894. Julia Ann Chamberlain was born in the same township, April 22, 1816. She died at Harvey, Illinois, July 8, 1894. They were married September 3, 1840, in the township in which they were born.
In 1847, they moved, with their children, to Whiteside County, Illinois, which county continued to be their home most of the time, until 1882, when they moved to Beadle County, South Dakota. In 1891, they moved to Harvey Illinois, where they remained during life, surrounded by all their family. During mother’s long decline, lasting nearly two years, father was constantly at her side. He could not be persuaded to leave her but a few minutes at a time. After six months persuasion, it was only the last day of the great World’s Fair, October 31, 1893, that he would leave her to visit the fair.
After listening daily for six months to the tales of wonderful sights to be seen but twelve miles away, when he did go, he was amazed at the show, saying the half had never been told. It has ever been a happy thought of my life that I spent that whole day showing father the sights that I thought he would most enjoy. It is safe to say that father saw more of the real worlds of progress that day than all his life besides.
After mother had passed to the beyond, father had no desire to live any longer. He prayed earnestly to be released from mortal clay, that he might be with the loved ones gone before. When the summer came, he passed away without an ache or pain, or a moment’s sickness, in full possession of all his powers to the very last breath.
Father was the noblest man I ever knew. I never heard a vulgar, obscene or profane word pass his lips. I do not believe the person lived who ever spoke a word derogatory to the life or character of David Nance. O, that the world had more such.
Mother was a member of the Christian Church from girlhood, joining Park Church, Lower Third and Market Streets, New Albany, Indiana. Father was a member from about 1848, and was made a Deacon almost from the first.
Of my earliest recollections, the sight of father starting off Sunday mornings with a little basket containing the loaf and cup, for the weekly communion, for a four mile trip, often on foot, fair or foul, is among the most vivid. As a Deacon, it was father’s duty to look after the needy. Often I have seen him hitch up his ox team, place in the wagon a ham or meat, a measure of meal or flour, a bushel of potatoes, or whatever he could best spare, and start the rounds of the farmers, picking up what each could spare, spending the day thus, at night arriving at the home of the needy with supplies for a month or more.
Eleven children came to bless the home of this worthy couple, three dying in infancy. Those growing up are named below as twigs:
Twigs Buds Blossoms
George W., w {Olive Linola
Cora B. Demorest........{David Demorest, d
----------------------------------------------
James Dallas, w, {Addie Bell
Hattie Wildes...........{Julia
{New Albany, IN
----------------------------------------------
{Elmer C.
{Nettie May
{Dora Myrtle
{
{Frank E., w,
Minerva Jane, h, {Mabel May Williams.....{Hazel Mae
Martin O. Hurless.......{
Chicago, IL {Howard L., w,
1193 Tripp Ave. {Loretta M. Brennan
{
{Lester C.
{Ralph Jay
{Guy C.
----------------------------------------------
{Cora, h, {Reuben
{Eugene Noyes...........{John
{Green, KS {Wallace
{ {James
{
{Oscar, w, {Maud
Sarah Catharine, h, d {Myrtle James...........{Ralph
Wm. Wallace.............{
Kingfisher, OK {Bertha
{Harry L., d
{Edgar J.
{Charles D.
{Leo A.
{Lula M., d
----------------------------------------------
Margaret Priscilla, h,..{Josia David
Wm. H. Nichols, d {Harvey, IL
----------------------------------------------
Frank Pierce, w, {Cora Edna
Mellie Smith............{Nettie May
Terre Haute, IN {James Grant
----------------------------------------------
Freman Albert, 1855-1093 (never married)
----------------------------------------------
Arthur Allison, w,
Belle Baker
Colorado Springs, CO
George
Washington
Nance, twig above, and author of this book, was born in Floyd
County, Indiana,
September 28, 1842. At the age of four, his parents moved
to Illinois,
settling in Genesee Grove Township, Whiteside County, where he
grew to
man’s estate, attending country school in winter, and working on
the farm
in summer. In 1864, he enlisted in the 140th Regiment, Illinois
Infantry,
serving six months. He afterwards taught several terms of
school. In 1866,
he entered Eureka College, with the ministry in view. Owing to
eye troubles,
he left college in 1871, before graduating. He at once began a
business
career, entering the mercantile house of E. Brookfield, at
Coleta, in the
township in which he was brought up. He remained several years,
until Mr.
Brookfield sold out and removed to Rock Falls, same county, and
went into
the banking business, George going with him. At the death of Mr.
Brookfield,
the businessmen of Rock Falls asked George to continue the
banking business
in his own name, but he said, "I have little capital." They had
such trust
in his honor and integrity, they told him to open his bank and
commence
business on their deposits, which offer he accepted, and the
Exchange Bank
of Rock Falls was the result.
In connection with the banking business, he added that of fire insurance and real estate. He soon called his brother, Jas. Dallas, to his assistance. He prospered in business, and wealth was in sight. In 1882, not knowing when he had a good thing, he sold his banking interest, and with a friend, opened the Bank of Huron, Huron, South Dakota. This prospered for a time, but reverses came, and he was financially ruined. Four years of farming on the Dakota plains followed with little results. In 1888, he returned to Illinois, settling his family in Elgin. After a year, he opened a business in the new town of Harvey, a suburb of Chicago. Here he dealt in real estate, lumber, coal and building materials, until September, 1899, when he settled in Bloomington, and began the practice of optics, having previously graduated from the Chicago Ophthalmic College. He subsequently took a course in the National College of Optics, receiving the degree of Doctor of Optics.
George became a Christian in 1861, at the age of eighteen, uniting with the Christian Church, Lexington, Illinois. In his Christian life he has ever been faithful and consistent. In the organization of the church at Sterling, Illinois, he took a leading part, and became a member of the first Board of Elders. In settling at Elgin, he was instrumental, with his wife, in organizing the church, the first meetings being held in their parlors. He was their elder from the first. He also assisted in the organization of the church at Harvey, although at the time holding membership at Elgin. He subsequently became elder at Harvey.
He and his family are now members of the Second Church at Bloomington, a congregation recently established, but one with an enviable reputation already, for aggressive work and accomplishment.
George was married to Miss Cora B. Demorest, at Aurora, Illinois, October 22, 1879, President H. W. Everest, of Eureka College performing the ceremony.
While a resident at Harvey, Brother George served two terms as member of the City Council, elected on the anti-license ticket.
The foregoing tribute was written by Brother James Dallas, the author using his prerogative in cutting out some too eulogistic matter.
He wishes to mention just three things in his life not treated elsewhere, that have contributed no little to the happy, and not entirely worthless life he has been permitted to live.
First, his four years spent in Eureka College. To breathe the atmosphere, spiritual atmosphere, of Eureka is, to a soul longing for a higher and holier life, what the salt-laden sea breeze is to the physical man – invigorating, life preserving. Besides the associations formed in those years, and the many, many returns to Alma Mater, have made him intimate with many of the most prominent ministers, writers, and workers in the church throughout the English speaking world, to say nothing of the missionaries throughout heathendom. These associations have made the literature of the church interesting and helpful.
Second, from the fact that he has spent nearly all of his life in new, weak and small churches, he has been thrown almost constantly with young people, as they always predominate in such churches. He has never been in a church where the young people have not counted him as one of their number. Even since coming to Bloomington, four years ago, he has served two years as president of the Young People’s Society of Christian Endeavor, composed almost entirely of the young people of the church. This is a favor that any person with the frost of sixty winters on his locks should appreciate.
Third, the greatest event that has ever happened to the author, was the leading to the hymeneal alter the lady who there became his bride. She was born and reared in Canada, but educated in Aurora, Illinois. She is a member of an old and prominent Huguenot family. Her father, David L. Demorest, spent fifty-five years tracing the genealogy of his family and that of his wife. His tree, in real tree form, contains twenty thousand names, and covers eleven generations. But for his persistence, the author should never have known or cared much for his family history.
The family were, and are, prominent in Methodism. Her twin sister, Mrs. L. C. Burling, with her husband and two sons, served time in Africa on the Congo, in a self-supporting mission under Bishop Taylor. They returned in time to save their lives. He is now presiding elder over the Freeport District of the Rock River Conference. It might be considered presumption for the author to say that he taught Mrs. Nance "the way of the Lord more perfectly." Be that as it may, she was the first to "stir the waters of Baptism" in the new church at Sterling, a few months after the nuptials.
James Dallas Nance, twig above, was born in the same township as his father and mother, October 18, 1844. Father being a Democrat, named his new arrival for President Polk and Vice-President Dallas, who were elected two weeks after his birth. Dallas received a good country school education, chiefly in Genesee Township, Whiteside County, Illinois. About the time he was grown, he went to Sterling, same county, to begin a business career. He spent some time in a hotel office. Afterwards he became a Singer Sewing Machine agent, which position he held for a number of years. He quit this to accept a position in the bank of the author, as bookkeeper and assistant cashier, in Rock Falls, Illinois. In 1883, he moved to Huron, South Dakota, and took the same position in the Bank of Huron. From this he farmed a few years in South Dakota until starved out by the drought. He then, in 1888, moved to New Albany, Indiana. Most of the time since then he has been in the employ of A. J. Ross & Son, grocers, Louisville, Kentucky, as bookkeeper. He has ever been a faithful employee, and always deserved a better salary than he received. Brother Dallas, or "Dal," as he is nearly always called in the family, became a Christian at the age of sixteen, uniting with the Christian Church at Lexington, Illinois. It is not too much to say he has been a faithful Christian ever since making confession of his faith. The first meetings looking to the establishment of a Christian Church in Sterling, were held in his home, himself and wife and the author being three of the seven taking part. To us was left the selection of an evangelist to hold the meeting. We made selection of Knowles Shaw, the "singing evangelist." The strong Sterling Church is the result. In 1870, Brother Dallas visited the place of his birth, and while there met, and was captured by Miss Hattie Wildes, of Louisville, Kentucky. He returned in 1874, and they were married by the celebrated Dr. Hopson. Two girls were born to this union. Their mother has been an invalid for some years, the girls remaining at home to care for her. Dallas and family are members of the Park Christian Church, New Albany, where our mother was a member more than sixty-five years ago. Dallas is one of the deacons of Park Church. He held the same office in the church at Sterling.
Margaret P. Wolf – Branch Eight
Margaret Perkins Nance was born in Floyd County, Indiana, June 26, 1821. Hamilton Wolf, M. D., was born March 30, 1819. They were married September 19, 1839. The doctor was a surgeon in the Union Army in the War of the Rebellion. They lived many years at Washington, Indiana, where the doctor had a large and lucrative practice. The last few years they have been making their home in New Albany, with their daughter, Versalia Palmer. "Uncle Ham’ is as jovial an old gentleman as one will often see. He is as full of pranks as a young kitten. "Aunt Ped" is one of the happiest old ladies I have ever met. She is just like my father, and they say, like their father.
They were the parents of nine children, those growing to maturity being named below as twigs.
Aunt has been a Christian most of her life, a member of the United Brethren Church. I will close this sketch with the recital of a very rare event as related in the Louisville Herald, Saturday, September 19, 1903. The article was accompanied by very fair likenesses of the dear old couple:
"An event seldom ever witnessed in any community, a sixty-fourth wedding anniversary will be celebrated today in New Albany by Dr. and Mrs. Hamilton Wolf. Dr. and Mrs. Wolf were married September 19, 1839, at the home of the bride’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Mosias Nance, near Lanesville, eight miles west of New Albany. Both the bride and the groom came from sturdy pioneer Floyd County stock, who came west to make a home for themselves and their children. The parents of Mrs. Wolf were from Virginia, and the parents of Dr. Wolf were Pennsylvanians.
A few years after their marriage they moved to Washington, Indiana, where, for more than fifty years, Dr. Wolf engaged in the practice of medicine. Eight years ago they returned to New Albany to make their home with their daughter, Mrs. Versalia Palmer, at 523 Vincennes Street, where the anniversary will be held today. It will be in the nature of a surprise to the aged couple. Dr. Wolf is eighty-four years of age and his wife is eighty-two.
Dr. Wolf is a graduate of the Kentucky School of Medicine, and the Medical Department of the University of Kentucky. He obtained diplomas from both of these schools sixty years ago. He is by no means a back number in the practice of medicine, but keeps abreast of the times, and reads the late medical journals with deep interest. Despite the weight of years, he walks erect, and his mind is clear as the average man of sixty. Time has also dealt gently with Mrs. Wolf. Her eighty-two years have made few wrinkles, and her hair is not as gray as most women of sixty. She possesses and amiable disposition, culture and refinement. She numbers among her friends many young folks."
The author and his daughter were in New Albany at the time, and of course, were at the anniversary. There were nearly one hundred guests, two daughters, "Neva" and "Lora," coming from Washington, Indiana, and a granddaughter, Etta Hunter, from Houston, Texas. Aside from the venerable couple, but one person is believed to be living who was at the wedding, Dr. H. S. Wolf, of New Albany, and he was present at the anniversary. He was seven years of age when at the wedding.
Twigs Buds Blossoms
Versalia, h, {Etta B., h,
Sardis R. Chase, d......{Geo. D. Hunter
{Houston, TX
2nd,h,Jno. J. Palmer,d..{Jesse H. Palmer
New Albany, IN {New Albany, IN
----------------------------------------------
{William H.
{
{Lillie, h,
{Thos. Lawson
{
Alcesta A., h, d {James A.
Jas. A. Dale............{
{Dennie, h,
{E. W. Steen............{Lotus Mildred
{Auburn, IL {Eunice
{
{Dora, h, d
{Wilbert Choate
----------------------------------------------
{Charles
{
{Thaddeus, w,
Veneva E., h, {Alla Hurless...........{Jas. Thaddeus
Jas. Stevens, d.........{Washington, DC
Washington, IN {
{Ida, h,
{Calvin Barnes..........{Chester
{Canton, OH
----------------------------------------------
(Hamilton, w,
Emma J., h, {Alma ___?
Geo. R. Dale, d.........{Hartford City, IN
{
2nd h, ___? Treat, d {Robert, d
3rd h, ___? Goodwine {Claude, d
Wellington, IL
----------------------------------------------
Mary Ella, h, {Enola
Wm. G. Allen, d.........{
{Robert F.
2nd h, E. S. Fugit, d
New Albany, IN
----------------------------------------------
Abalora D., h
Benj. E. Franklin, d
2nd h, Sam'l L. Hopkins
Washington, IN