Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1920-02-04
MEN OF STANDING PASS.
John NJ. VANCE

JOHN NJ. VANCE
The last bugle call from on high,
January %, sounded the reveille for
muster out of one of Vernon county's
veteran soldiers, and long a promin-
ent and respected citizen; one who
came in the primative days with his
sturdy parents to Bad AK county
John NJ. Vanee-who died at his home
in the town of Sterling, the location
and farm where he had lived from
childhood, his father having secured it
from the government. And in his
going the community loses a conscien-
tious christian man,one of strong char
acter, upright in all the affairs of life;
a neighbor who ever shared the trials
and sympathized with those in trouble
and affection.
Three and a half years since Mr..
Vance suffered paralytic stroks, and
he had not been able to leave his home
since, very much of the time being
as helpless as a newly born babe. He
was tenderly cared for by the dutiful
wife and loving daughters and sons.
The high esteem in which he was held
was reflected in the sympathetic gath
ernig last Friday, at the funeral and
interment at Retreat, conducted by
Rev E. Harris.
We doubt if there are half dozen
people now residents of the county
who have lived here continuously as
long as this respected man. He was
born in Indiana on August 10, 1912,
coming with his parents to Sterling
in 1S49, living continuously on the
home place for more than 20 years.
He went to war in Company /, 42d
Regiment, in 1864, mustered out a
year later. Mr. Vance had the honor
of attending the first school taught i'm
the county. Almost from the time of
reaching his majority John NJ Vance
was honored by his towrsmen in some
capacity as an official, and it may
truthfully written that he was faith
full and never neglected a trust. He
served many times as chairman, treas
urer, assessor, and the greater number
as clerk, the later he held at date of
his passing, although incapaciated to
perform its duties for almost four
years, yet the spirit of love of his fell
low townsmen thus was manifested
for him. He was also a school officer
and greatly interested in religious
work, helping to maintain Fargo Me-
thodist church during its entire ex-
istance.
For long series of years Veteran
| Vance served his comrades and their
widows and orphans as one of the
trusted soldiers relief commissioners
of the county.
Mr.. Vance was twice married. First
on March Is, 1868 to Miss Mary Cur
tbs, who died on February s, 1887. On
September 10, 1891 he was united in
marriage to Miss Sarah A. Reemann,
of Columbia county, Wisconsin who
survives him. Ten children came to
gladden. the home, two of whom pre-
coded their father in death.
JAMES F. PARKER
A kindly companionable soul was
called to it's citizenship on high when
on Friday evening, January 30, at
eight o'clock the spirit of James F.
Parker took flight, appendicitis and
pneumonia terminating the earthly ex-
| istence, after a week of illness.
James F. Parker was born in Par
is county, Illinois, April 20, 1S41. He
came to Wisconsin with his parents
when a boy, locating on a farm on
Middle Bear Creek, near LaFarge. On
August 5, 1869, he married Lucy Jane
Stebbins, who preceded him in death
October %, 1915. Four children bless
ed this union, of which two survive
Mrs. Cora Barry of this city and Mrs.
Roy Carver of Marshfield. Three
grandchildren, Beulah and Burdette
| Barry, and Mae Rust, survive.
Mr.. Parker's father was one of the
first white settlers in LaFarge vicin-
| ity and an expert wagon maker, Sc
lecting, curing and working up the
virgin timber. Mr.. Parker early in
life showed marked mechanical ability,
erecting mills, turning lathes, houses,
etc, and most of his life was spent in
doing those painstaking jobs which
require infinite patience, such as the
repairing of violins.
TIE family moved to Viroqua in
November, 1878, where he engaged in
wagon making. Mr.. Parker was very
active and proficient in both the Ma
sonic and Odd Fellow orders, the lat
ter body having charge of the funeral
held at the Christian church Sunday
afternoon. Rev Harris spoke feeling
ly of his quiet unassuming life; the
impressive Odd Fellow service was
read by Brothers F. M. Minshall and
Geo. B. Fisher. H. E. Goldsmith sang
Zone Sweetly Solemn Thought" and
Nl,H.t1