The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1921-05-20
COL. R. H. YANSANT
CALLED FROM EARTH
ONE OF kENTuckY,s NoBLEMEN
PASSES AWAY AT HOME
ASHLAND.

Col r. II. vansaat died at his home
in Ashland on Thursday of last week,
/ after an illness extending over a per.
iod of several months.
He was one of Kentucky's leading
business men and was well known
throughout the state. Also, in national
lumber circles he was recognized as
one of the authorities and leaders,
having twice been president OF the
, national organization.
Mr.. Nansant was one of the most
/ popular men In the State. His gem
erosity and kindly consideration for
all with whom he came in contact had
endeared thousands of persons to him.
Eastern Kentucky has no citizen whose
death would cause more universal sor-
row. His removal means a great loss
to his city and to the mountain people
that he loved so well. Much of his
time was denied to his great business
enterprises in order to help his friends,
and to work for every cause that
would advance the moral and material
welfare Of the State and nation.
The funeral took place Saturday af
ternoon and was attended by men from
various parts Of the State. K
The following is taken from the
Ashland Independent
"Col. Vansant had been in poor health
for year or more and knowing his
condition he had consulted the most
famous specialists In the country at
Johns Hopkins-The Mayo's in Roch-
ester and elsewhere but all TO no avail.
He also visited many of the noted
health resorts and had only recently
in company with Mrs vansant and
daughters returned from sojourn in
Florida.
Rufus Humphrey Vansant was born
in Morgan (now Elliott) county Sept.
s, 1859. He was the son OF William Fl.
and Louvisa Hunter Vansant. his faith
er coming to Kentucky from Russell
county, Va. His grandparents were of
Pennsylvania origin and he possessed,
the full energy OF his ancestors, be-
longing TO that sturdy stock which
composed the early settlers and made
that state one of the best of the whole
group of states
His father William H. vansant was
well educated, being a teacher for sew
eral years and man OF literary at
tainments and sound views. Mr.. Van
SAINTS mother was native of Tennes-
see. Mr.. r. H. vansant was carefully
educated and when mere boy, taught
school for two years in his home coun-
~. He held the confidence and esteem
of the citizens there and was when
quite young deputy clerk of the court
of Elliott county and was also circuit
court clerk from 1880 to 1886.
Mr.. Vansant was united in marriage
Dec. 8, 1879 to Anna v. Hannah, ,daugh
ter of James W. Hannah, man of
scholarly attainments.
It was while serving as clerk of Ell
lott county that he became interested
in the lumber business at Leon. pir-
chasing the lumber taken from the for
ests along the Little Sandy River. In
this way he became an extensive ium-
ber dealer and came to Ashland in
1894.
He organized the lumber company
of yansant, Kitchen & Co., and was
president of this company at the time
of his death His son, Campbell, dur
ing his recent illness has had charge
of this business and will probably sue
ceed him in the management. He also
organized the Ashland Hardwood Lum
ber Co., of which Harold Vansant, his
eldest son is PRESIDENT and manager.
He assisted in the organization OF the
Merchants Bank & Trust Co., and
was vice president when 1t merged in
to the Ashland National Bank and was
director in this bank. He was twice
president of the National Hardwood
Lumber Co. now The American Hard
wood Manufacturers Association" All
these positions of trust were filled with
competency and reflected honor on this
most capable man.
He was at one time state chairman
Of the State Central and Executive
Committee of the Democratic party and
vet while we say he was a staunch
Democrat he had friends in both par
ties and in all walks of life, and no one
ever had a more loyal friend than-w
Mr.. Vansant. He was campaign chair
man for the late James B. McCreary,
when elected as Governor the last time
and many other positions of honor and
trust were filled by him.
He was scrGpulously honest In all
his dealings and expected those with
whom he did business to be the same,
1t had been given Mr. Vansant to
WELD large and beneficient influence
in connection with public affairs in his
home city and state and his broad
minded and liberal attitude as a citi-
zen made him valuable factor in all
local affairs.
He was high Mason and member
of the M. e. Church South. The flu
neral was conducted by Rev. Paul
Powell.
Besides his wife. four children sur
vive him. all Of whom were about his
bedside when the last summons came.
They are: Make, Harold, Campbell,
and Virginia. He is also survived by
two brothers, Jonas, of this city, and
John of Elliott county and one sister,
Mrs. j. Hall Of Huntington.