The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-01-06
GOING BACK HOME.
Major j. X. Vance Will Hereafter
Make His Home in L~aurens--.the
Departure of a Respecfed Citizen.

Major j. X. Vance was in town last Friday
night. making arrangements with Prooat'
Judge for the sale OF the personal property o
his deceased wife at Eden Hall, near Troy.
1t was a sad mission for him. He was great
ly attached to his wife, and in his old age shs
was a great comfort to him. But since hel
death. ne has determined to sell the persona
property and move to Laurens, where he will
make his future home with his children.
The Major will not sell the real estate now
as the personal property will be more thar
sufficient to settle the Indebtedness OF the es
tate. His wife left no will, and, under the
law, he inherits one-half, and the remainder
will go TO other relatives.
Major j. X. Vance came from Laurens
County, with Judge MCGOWAN in 1896, to at.
tend the Greenwood High School, which was
taught by James L. Leslie.
After he finished his school and collegiate
education, he married Miss Laurens L. Wat.
County, when they settled on his farm near
Cokesbury in 1874, 10 whom were born thir.
teen children, ten OF whom lived 10 be grown,
and nine of whom are still living useful lives,
and of whom any parent miUht we'll be
proud.
His oldest son, DIR. J. Wistar Vance. gradua-
ted In the Medical University injEdinburgh,
Scotland, bearing off the highesthonors In a
large class. The other nine chiiiren are of
In places OF honor Of usefulness.J
In 1851 Major Vance, Judge MlGowan, and
DR.. j. w. Hearst were elected tf1the LegiSla-
ture, 1t being the first term for5each. Major
' IL e w. ycdIS Win StllTo sdIlSIdC-
lion TO the people, and after jerving three
terms declined reelection.
In the war he was over age 70, active duties
in the field. but served on Geferal Meow
ans staff as brigade commissfy, and after-
wards as aId-de-camp to General Evans. and
was finally detailed as Quartermaster of Tax
In Kind. and under his con4ol were sixty
sub-tax collectors in kind.
In 1852, he married the willow of his old
friend DR.. ]. w. Hearst. whofdied recently,
n Major Vance Is again a wHower.
Since the death Of his wild he has deter
mined to return 10 LaureIE County, the
home OF his birth.
He gave to Abbeville the b4st years Of his
life, and the people on many occasions gave
the best evidence of their high record for
him
Major Vance was always al conspicuous fig
ure and his upright course ahd kindly man.
ner commanded the respect and friendship
Of our people.
In surrendering him backto the land of his
birth Abbeville gives up al beloved citizen.
whose life n conduct poiEtted him out as O
gentleman OF the old school
Major Vance is now just entering his seven
ty-fourth year, being remarkably we'll pre-
served In health, while his, heart and mind
is as cheerful and bright Dis they were forty
ago. u.
Like all old men who have honorable rec
ords, Major Vance now lives much in the
past. and 1t Is bis pleasure to recount the stir
ring scenes Of his early life but above all,
he loves bis lineage and is proud Of his chill.
dreds who have gone before, and In his atfec-
ton for his children. While in Abbeville he
made a contract with Mr.. Wheeler, the pho
tographer, to enlarge the picture Of each of
his children, SO that he might, as he express
1T, have them once more around him.