516 HISTOPY OF CLAY COUNTY

made the overland trip to Ohio, thence, a short time later to Indiana.
During the journey, which was made with teams, the family was obliged
to pass through extensive woods and morasses, and to cross many creeks,
the way at times being full of danger. A large part of this section of
Indiana was then a wilderness, the land being owned by the government.
and the forest were filled with an abundance of game of all kinds, forming
in a large measure the subsistence of the few inhabitants. While yet in his
teens he began to make himself useful, helping to clear the land, and to till
the soil. Succeeding, after the death of his father, to the ownership of
the homestead, he there carried on general farming until 1871. In that
year Joseph Nance removed to Crawford county, Kansas. and in 1880
located in Linn county, the same state, where he bought land, and was
engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death. February 28, 1898, aged
seventy-nine years.
    Joseph Nance married Nancy Wilson, who was born in St. Joseph
county, Indiana. December 12, 1825, a daughter of Matthew Wilson, who,
like his father, was born in Ireland, of Scotch ancestry. Mr. Wilson was
one of the early settlers of St. Joseph county, locating there at a time when
the Indians were still on their reservations, and before there were any
towns or villages in that part of the state, an occasional “Indian trading
post,” only, breaking the monotony of the wild scenery. There were, of
course, no markets, the few settlers having to haul anything they bad to
sell to Michigan City. He improved a farm, and both he and his wife
spent the remainder of their lives in that county. Mrs. Joseph Nance sur-
vived her husband, and now, a hale and hearty woman of eighty—two years.
is living in Crawford county, Kansas. She reared the following named
children Matthew Wilson, Daniel W.. Margaret Jane. Sarah Elizabeth,
Archibald J., Mary M., Ellen, Walter, and Julian.
    Completing his studies in the district schools, Matthew W. Nance
subsequently attended the Bloomingdale Academy. and at the age of
twenty years began his professional career at Bee Ridge, Dick Johnson
township, teaching there one term. He subsequently taught in Posey and
Brazil townships, this state, and in Linn and Crawford counties, Kansas.
In 1888. returning from Kansas, Mr. Nance settled on the parental home—
stead, which he now owns, and has since been successfully- and profitably
engaged in general farming.
    On September 16, 1871, Mr. Nance married Sarah Catherine Weaver,
who was born near Covington. Kentucky, December 9, 1848, a daughter
of Samuel Warren and Magdaline ( Van Corder) Weaver. Four children
were born to Mr. and Mrs. Nance, all being born in Kansas, and two are
now living, namely Lelia and Maude. Lelia married Joseph Tilly, and
has two children, Mary Catherine and Florence. Frank, the oldest child
of Mr. and Mrs. Nance, was born June 29, 1872 After his graduation
from the public schools he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits,
and followed farming until his death, August 8, 1897. Daniel W. the
second child, born September 30, 1873, was graduated from the Brazil
high School, and afterwards attended the Indiana Central Normal
School, in Danville, preparing himself for a professional life, he met
with success in his work. and was teaching his second term when he was
taken ill, and died October 26, 1894, aged twenty-one years. While a
resident of Kansas, in 1871. Mr. Nance became a member of Cherokee
Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, but is not affiliated with any
fraternal organization of Indiana.