CONFEDERATE BIOGRAPHY: McD. LORANCE - Smith County, TX

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Submitted by Peggy Brannon - peggybrannon@hotmail.com
16 October 2001
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TEXANS WHO WORE THE GRAY by Sid S. Johnson

McD. Lorance, of Tyler, removed to Texas with his father's family, Hiram 
Lorance, in 1844, and settled in Smith county. The family were farmers bf 
prominence and helped to build up this sparsely settled country and advance 
along the lines of civilization and good government. Although Mr. Lorance 
was a Union man, when the South became involved in the war between the 
states, he enlisted in the army and made a good Confederate soldier, 
performing his duty, although he doubted the policy of secession as the 
proper thing to do, at that time. After the war and during the days of 
reconstruction, although a republican in politics, he was a friend to the 
people.   Honest in his convictions in government affairs, and he exerted 
his best efforts to protect the people from the ruthless Federal carpet 
baggers of that remarkable and unfortunate period in the settlernent of 
existing conditions. He held the office of county clerk and a representative 
in the legislature, and the older citizens of that time can conscientiously 
say that his honesty was never questioned. He loved his people, but did not 
believe they were in the right. History should be truthful and right should 
be the judgment of mankind. He married Miss Mary Rasberry, and lived a 
peaceful and happy life, rearing three children: Quincy D. is connected with 
the postal service and resides at Tyler; Susie was the wife of John Norton, 
she dying in 1885; Sallie is the wife of Ed Evans, who is a prominent 
citizen of Tyler. He performed his duty as a Confederate soldier. A tribute 
should be paid to an honest man.