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				 BIOGRAPHIES 
				Source: 
				History of Hancock County, Ohio 
				From It's Earliest Settlement to the Present Time. 
				Together with Reminiscences of Pioneer Life, 
				Incidents, Statistical Tables, and 
				Biographical Sketches 
				By D. B. Beardsley 
				Findley, O. 
				Publ. Springfield, O. 
				Republic Printing Company 
				1881 
				
				
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				The
				REV. GEO. VAN EMON, one of the purest men 
				who ever lived, may well be claimed by this township, as nearly 
				all his life in this county was spent here.  As a minister 
				he was sincere, and his words carried conviction with them.  
				As a Christian he was blameless. As a neighbor he was kind and 
				hospitable.  As a citizen he was one whose example might be 
				safely followed. 
					
					
				†Source 1: History of 
				Hancock County, Ohio - 1881  - Page 389 | 
               
              
                Findley Twp. -  
				
				WILSON VANCE was the son of 
				Joseph Colville Vance, and Sarah, his wife, whose maiden 
				name was Wilson.  Mr. Vance's father was born March 
				24, 1759, and was married April 10, 1781, in Loudon County, 
				Virginia.  He emigrated to Pennsylvania in 1783.  
				Mr. Vance's parents were both what was called Scotch Irish 
				Presbyterians.  They emigrated to Kentucky in 1788, where
				Wilson Vance was born Jan. 19, 1796, in Mason County.  
				The family came to Ohio in 1800, and settled in Old Town, Greene 
				County.  In 1804 they removed to Urbana.  In 1816 
				Mr. Vance and his brother William went to Fort Meigs, 
				on the Maumee River, where for a time they clerked for their 
				brother Joseph, who was afterwards Governor of Ohio. 
     On the 14th of March, 1820, he was married to Sarah 
				Wilson, by Rev. John Thompson, in Champaign County, 
				and returned with his wife to First Meigs, where they remained 
				until the fall of 1821, when with his wife and one child, and 
				all their earthly possessions on an Indian Pony, he came to 
				Findley, himself walking the distance.  He moved into the 
				old fort until his log cabin was completed.  The next 
				season he erected a two-story log house, and kept a tavern.  
				These buildings were situated on the south bank of the river, on 
				the east side of Main Street.  Mr. V. also farmed 
				the bottom lands along the river, and by industry and economy 
				laid the foundation of his future prosperity. 
     In 1830 he built a one-story frame house with five 
				rooms, and in 1831, he in company with John W. Baldwin, 
				opened up a dry goods store, using the south room of the house 
				as a business room.  This is the same building now occupied 
				by G. C. Barnd, in rear of the Sherman house.  
				In 1837 Mr. V. bought out the interest of Baldwin, 
				who went to New York City.  Vance was engaged 
				actively in mercantile pursuits up to 1852, when he sold out his 
				stock at auction. 
     He however did not wholly retire from business, but was 
				a partner with his sons, Miles W. and William, at 
				Bluffton, Ohio, up to the date of his death. 
     Mr. Vance was one of the first Justices in the 
				county, and officiated at the first marriage in the county.  
				He was the first Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, and the 
				first County, Treasurer of Hancock County, and the second Post 
				Master at Findley.  He superintended the building of the 
				first flouring mill in the county.  The structure was put 
				up in 1825, and belonged to Elnathan Cory, and was on the 
				site of the present Carlin Mill.  His wife did all 
				her own work, and that which was necessary in the boarding of 
				the sixteen men employed in putting up the building, digging the 
				race, and building the dam, although at that time she had three 
				little children to look after and care for. 
     Mr. Vance and his wife were of the first 
				membership of the Presbyterian Church, and I believe both were 
				still members at their decease.  The Church was organized 
				at his part in sustaining the church, and contributed liberally 
				to its various objects. 
     Mr. Vance was a good neighbor, an upright 
				citizen and an honest man.  He was a man of strong 
				convictions, not easily swerved, and whilst honest in his 
				opinions, and determined in his actions, he of course made some 
				enemies for the time being, but no one questioned his motives. 
				Mr. Vance was the father of twelve children, eight sons 
				and four daughters, all of whom are dead but three, William, 
				Horace M., and Bridget.  Wilson Vance died March 
				1st, 1866.  His children were all born in this county 
				except Joseph, who was born at Ft. Meigs, and Miles W., 
				who was born in Urbana.  William was the second male 
				child born in the county. 
					
					
				†Source 1: History of 
				Hancock County, Ohio - 1881  - Page 292 | 
               
              
                Cass Twp. -  
				JAMES VICKERS
				was 
				born in England, and came to this country in about 1825, and 
				settled in Wayne County, Ohio.  In 1833, he made his way to 
				this county, and commenced his labors on the farm now owned by 
				his son James A.  No man in the township was more 
				generally respected, than was Mr. Vickers.  
				Conscientious, honest, temperate and hospitable, kind to all, a 
				friend to the poor, and always ready to render assistance to the 
				weary emigrant.  His house was the home of the Methodist 
				itinerant, and here were held the services of the church, until 
				a suitable building for the purpose was erected on his land.  
				To the building of this house and the sustaining of the minister 
				of the church, he was a liberal contributor.  Mr. 
				Vickers was a farmer, and by the aid of his good wife and 
				his family, which was a large one, he always had a abundance.  
				He died in 1867, lamented the entire community.  His wife 
				survived him until 1881. 
					
				†Source 1: History of 
				Hancock County, Ohio - 1881  - Page 233 
				(Sharon Wick's Note:  He is found in the 1860 Census of 
				Hancock Co., Cass Twp. in Film Series M653 Roll 982 Page 265, 
				Dwelling 961 Family 937 with wife Sarah and children Mary and 
				John Francis.  His son James lives in Dwelling 960 Family 
				936 with wife and 3 children.) | 
               
               
				 
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