Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Vance, George Livermore 1840 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com May 5, 2007, 10:19 am Author: Portraits & Bio Sketches, 1890 GEORGE LIVERMORE VANCE. One of the most elegant business blocks of Joliet stands as a monument to the industry and energy of Mr. Vance, who erected it in 1888, and utilizes all of it for the sale of furniture and other articles in that line. He is one of the leading business men of the city, occupying a good position, socially and financially. He is of stanch New England stock, a Vermonter by birth, first opening his eyes to the light in Caledonia County, Groton Township, March 13, 1840. His immediate progenitors were Aaron and Lucinda (Tucker) Vance, who were likewise natives of the Green Mountain State. They traced their ancestry to England. Aaron Vance, in addition to being engaged as a boot and shoe dealer, also carried on farming. The parental household included eight children, all of whom are living and of whom the subject of this notice was the eldest born. David E. is a practicing attorney of Winona, Minn.; William A. is the postmaster at Houston, that State; Albert N. is merchandising in Decorah, Iowa; Nicholas W. is a banker in Wolsey, S. D.; Nancy A., Mrs. Dyen is the wife of a merchant in Houston, Minn.; Abby, Mrs. Calvin Vance, is a resident of Money Creek, that State, and Aaron E. lives in Joliet. The parents celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their wedding May 3, 1888, at their home in Money Creek, Minn. The occasion was one of general rejoicing, and at which were convened a large number of relatives and friends. Mr. Vance was reared to manhood in his native State, acquiring a good education, and upon approaching manhood engaged in teaching district schools four years. Later he went to Rutland and was occupied in the boot and shoe business two years. We next find him in the United States Treasury department at Washington, D. C, where he held a clerkship from 1864 to 1870. During this time he devoted his leisure hours to the study of law, and was graduated from the Columbia in the law department, and was admitted to the bar by the supreme court of the District of Columbia. Deciding now upon seeking his fortunes in the West, Mr. Vance emigrated to Minnesota and was engaged in the mercantile business at Money Creek until January 1, 1873. During that year he came to Joliet and established himself in the furniture trade, which he has prosecuted successfully and thereby accumulated a competency. Politically, he is a pronounced Republican, and while in Minnesota served as Postmaster and Justice of the Peace. While sojourning at the national capital Mr. Vance formed the acquaintance of Miss E. K. Fowler, and the mutual attachment which followed resulted in their marriage May 30, 1868. Of this union there were born two children: George A., teller of the Will County Bank, and Grace Fowler, who is attending the High School at Winona, Minn. Mrs. Vance was a native, of Virginia, and departed this life at her home in Joliet, November 6, 1873. Mr. Vance on the 19th of July, 1877, contracted a second marriage with Miss Jennie, daughter of William and Keziah Lewis. This lady was born March 18, 1843, in England, and spent her early years in a comparatively uneventful manner under the home roof, acquiring a good education in the common schools. Of her union with our subject there have been born two children, one deceased, Beulah A. the survivor. Socially, Mr. Vance is identified with the Masonic fraternity, being a Knight Templar,is Prelate therein and also belongs to the Royal Arcanum. For three years he was President of the Young Men's Christian Association, and is now its Vice President. His religious views coincide with the doctrines of the Baptist Church. He is President of the Will County Sunday- school Association, and takes an active interest in the religious training of the young. The various enterprises calculated for the good of the community receive his cordial and uniform support. He has been for some time connected with the Will County Bank, in which he now holds the office of Vice-President. Additional Comments: Portrait and Biographical Album of Will County, Illinois, Containing Full Page Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens of the County; Chicago: Chapman Bros., 1890 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/will/bios/vance437gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/ilfiles/ File size: 4.8 Kb