Pope-Conway County ArArchives Biographies.....Vance, Will D. ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ar/arfiles.html ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Robert Sanchez http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00027.html#0006574 July 19, 2009, 2:56 pm Author: S. J. Clarke (Publisher, 1922) WILL D. VANCE. Will D. Vance, a native son of Arkansas, representing the third generation of the family in this state, is engaged in the abstract business in Russellville and through untiring industry and intelligently directed effort has gained a position of leadership in the field in which he specializes. He was born in Conway county, July 30, 1877, a son of W. D. and Mary F. (Brigham) Vance, who were also natives of that section of the state. There the father engaged in farming for many years, but he is now following the carpenter's trade and resides in Russellville. The paternal grandfather, Walter J. Vance, was a native of Tennessee, whence he came to Arkansas, becoming one of the pioneer farmers of Conway county, where he spent his remaining years, devoting his attention to agricultural pursuits. He was a veteran of the Civil war, serving as a soldier in the Confederate army. The maternal grandfather, John Brigham, was also an early settler of Conway county and he, too, served in the Civil war, meeting death on the battle field and leaving behind him a widow and three children in straitened circumstances. Mr. Vance is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. South, and he was formerly identified with the Knights of Honor. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party. To Mr. and Mrs. Vance were born eleven children, of whom five survive, namely: Will D.; Margie, who is employed as a stenographer and bookkeeper at Fort Smith, Arkansas; Holden, who is connected with the cotton industry at that place; Pearl, who married R. F. Richardson, a leading jeweler of Tulsa, Oklahoma; and John W., who assists the subject of this review in the conduct of his business interests. After completing his education, which was acquired in the public schools, Will D. Vance engaged in farming and also followed the profession of teaching for four years. Later he worked as a clerk and also did bookkeeping, entering the abstract business in 1908. He opened an office in Russellville and now has the most complete set of abstract books in the state, being recognized as an authority in his line of work. He displays sound judgment, enterprise and determination in the conduct of his interests and with the passing years his business has steadily developed until it has reached large proportions. Mr. Vance has been married twice. In 1903 he wedded Miss May Burris, a native of Pope county, who died in 1905, leaving one son, William B. In 1917 Mr. Vance married Mary Harden, who was born in Mississippi. They have a son, Alfred Crawford, twenty months old. They are members of the Methodist Episopal church, South, and fraternally Mr. Vance is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America, of which he served as secretary for one year. He is a stanch democrat in his political views and has been called to public office, serving as alderman for one term. His time and attention are concentrated upon his abstract business, of which he has made a comprehensive study, and his present success is well deserved, for he started out in life empty handed and has depended entirely upon his own efforts for advancement, being numbered among the self-made men and progressive citizens of Russellville. Additional Comments: Citation: Centennial History of Arkansas Volume II Chicago-Little Rock: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company 1922 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ar/pope/bios/vance264bs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/arfiles/ File size: 3.9 Kb