Age 72. Married. Cause of death: apoplexy. Interred December 5, 1888. Source: Elmwood Burial Records and Register of Deaths.
Memphis Appeal
November 14 1888
Died at his residence, no. 515 Shelby street, at 11 o'clock p.m., November 13, 1888, William L. Vance, in his seventy third year. Funeral from the residence at 3 o'clock this Wednesday afternoon. Friends of the family invited to attend.
Memphis Appeal
November 14 1888
A Good Old Man Gone
Col. William L. Vance, the Last, But one of the Landmarks of Memphis.
One by one the old landmarks of Memphis and Shelby County are taking their departure from this earth. Col. William L. Vance, is the last one, he having died at 11 o'clock last night, of apoplexy, at his home, No. 515 Shelby street.
If there was one man in Memphis, greater than all others in the matter of an interesting life history, that man was Col. William L. Vance, born at Clarksville, Tenn., November 26, 1816, and educated at Nashville, he landed in Memphis, February 6, 1935, more by accident than design. He was en route home from New Orleans by steamer, among the passengers on board being three agreeable gentlemen, merchants in the then new town of Memphis. They prevailed upon him to stop here and accept a business engagement, and was promptly installed as clerk in a store on Winchester street, between Main and Front row. In the fall of that year he was one of a party of Nashville gentlemen forming a horseback expedition to the then Mexican Territory of Texas. There he found an opportunity for magnificent investment in lands, and did so, a few years later selling at an advance that formed a nucleus for his future handsome fortune. While in that State he was present at the meeting called to declare its independence of Mexico, and was also amazed beyond measure by his appointment to the secretaryship of the legation to the United States, headed by his brother-in-law, George C. Childress, Minister. General Jackson was President at the time, thoroughly acquainted with all the members of the legation and extended a most cordial welcom. From Washington Minister Childress and young Vance made a tour of the principal cities of the country, and at Philadelphia, while witnessing a theatrical performance, they first learned of the victory of the Texas troops over the mexicans, whih settled forever the question of its independence. About one year later, in 1838, he was again in Memphis, and began the acquiring of landed and other business interests which have rendered his name inseparably linked with the history of this city.
He was the pioneer who took a prominent part in the erection of many landmarks of the city, some of which still stand and are ornaments. The most prominent of these is the Gayoso Hotel, which was the result of his enterprise and that of his brother-in-law, Robertson Topp. In 1844, Col. Vance was married to Miss Letitia Thompson, daughter of George C. Thompson, of Kentucky. This union was a long and remarkably happy one, out of which grew a large family of sons and daughters.
When the war broke out Col. Vance, who was then engaged in farming in Kentucky, deposited upward of $100,000 with the Barings, of London, and anxiously awaited the cessation of hostilities, though he took no active part in them, being beyond the age for military service. On the evening of April 14, 1865, he was in Washington, and attended Ford's Theater. The event that occurred on that memorable evening--the assassination of President Lincoln--and of which the subject of this was a witness, needs no elaboration. Col. Vance it was who first reached Willard's Hotel with the news, and started the flame of excitement which swept over that house, the city and country with great fury.
In 1867 he went with a commission from Gov. Bramlette, of Kentucky, to the World's Exposition at Paris, France, accompanied by his daughters, Misses Bettie and Sue. From that gay capital the party of three proceeded to Florence, Naples, Venice, Vienna, Berlin and othger capitals returning by way of London once more to American soil. In 1868 he sold his Kentucky property and returned to Memphis, where he has resided ever sine. The biographical sketch of Col. Vance, as published in Keating's "History of the City of Memphis and Shelby County, Tenn., (Syracuse, NY: D. Mason & Co.)," closes with the following: "Among the older and better men of fifty years ago, who most helped to lift Memphis on its first beginnings, were those fine characters--Marcus Winchester, Robertson Topp, Nat. Anderson, John Claybrook, J.C. McLemore, Charlie McClain and J.T. Trezevant. Of these, J.T. Trezevant and the subject of this memoir are alone left enjoying the confidence and respect of all who are proud of the present prosperity of our city."
The funeral of this truly good old man, now gone to his reward, will occur at 3 o'clock this afternoon from his late residence.
History of the City of Memphis Tennessee by John M. Keating, p. 223.
"William L. Vance was a brother-in-law of Colonel Topp's. He was born in Clarkesville, Tenn., in 1815, and was educated at the Nashville University under the REv. Dr. Philip Lindsay. After graduating, in 1835, he removed to Memphis, and thence went to Texas, where he was identified with the revolutionary movement, and was appointed secretary of legation at Washington, Gerofe C. Childress being minister to the United States from the Republic of Texas. In 1836 Mr. Vance returned to Memphis and was thereafter identified with Colonel Topp in building up and advancing the interests of the town."
Memphis Appeal
November 14 1888
Died at his residence, no. 515 Shelby street, at 11 o'clock p.m., November 13, 1888, William L. Vance, in his seventy third year. Funeral from the residence at 3 o'clock this Wednesday afternoon. Friends of the family invited to attend.
Memphis Appeal
November 14 1888
A Good Old Man Gone
Col. William L. Vance, the Last, But one of the Landmarks of Memphis.
One by one the old landmarks of Memphis and Shelby County are taking their departure from this earth. Col. William L. Vance, is the last one, he having died at 11 o'clock last night, of apoplexy, at his home, No. 515 Shelby street.
If there was one man in Memphis, greater than all others in the matter of an interesting life history, that man was Col. William L. Vance, born at Clarksville, Tenn., November 26, 1816, and educated at Nashville, he landed in Memphis, February 6, 1935, more by accident than design. He was en route home from New Orleans by steamer, among the passengers on board being three agreeable gentlemen, merchants in the then new town of Memphis. They prevailed upon him to stop here and accept a business engagement, and was promptly installed as clerk in a store on Winchester street, between Main and Front row. In the fall of that year he was one of a party of Nashville gentlemen forming a horseback expedition to the then Mexican Territory of Texas. There he found an opportunity for magnificent investment in lands, and did so, a few years later selling at an advance that formed a nucleus for his future handsome fortune. While in that State he was present at the meeting called to declare its independence of Mexico, and was also amazed beyond measure by his appointment to the secretaryship of the legation to the United States, headed by his brother-in-law, George C. Childress, Minister. General Jackson was President at the time, thoroughly acquainted with all the members of the legation and extended a most cordial welcom. From Washington Minister Childress and young Vance made a tour of the principal cities of the country, and at Philadelphia, while witnessing a theatrical performance, they first learned of the victory of the Texas troops over the mexicans, whih settled forever the question of its independence. About one year later, in 1838, he was again in Memphis, and began the acquiring of landed and other business interests which have rendered his name inseparably linked with the history of this city.
He was the pioneer who took a prominent part in the erection of many landmarks of the city, some of which still stand and are ornaments. The most prominent of these is the Gayoso Hotel, which was the result of his enterprise and that of his brother-in-law, Robertson Topp. In 1844, Col. Vance was married to Miss Letitia Thompson, daughter of George C. Thompson, of Kentucky. This union was a long and remarkably happy one, out of which grew a large family of sons and daughters.
When the war broke out Col. Vance, who was then engaged in farming in Kentucky, deposited upward of $100,000 with the Barings, of London, and anxiously awaited the cessation of hostilities, though he took no active part in them, being beyond the age for military service. On the evening of April 14, 1865, he was in Washington, and attended Ford's Theater. The event that occurred on that memorable evening--the assassination of President Lincoln--and of which the subject of this was a witness, needs no elaboration. Col. Vance it was who first reached Willard's Hotel with the news, and started the flame of excitement which swept over that house, the city and country with great fury.
In 1867 he went with a commission from Gov. Bramlette, of Kentucky, to the World's Exposition at Paris, France, accompanied by his daughters, Misses Bettie and Sue. From that gay capital the party of three proceeded to Florence, Naples, Venice, Vienna, Berlin and othger capitals returning by way of London once more to American soil. In 1868 he sold his Kentucky property and returned to Memphis, where he has resided ever sine. The biographical sketch of Col. Vance, as published in Keating's "History of the City of Memphis and Shelby County, Tenn., (Syracuse, NY: D. Mason & Co.)," closes with the following: "Among the older and better men of fifty years ago, who most helped to lift Memphis on its first beginnings, were those fine characters--Marcus Winchester, Robertson Topp, Nat. Anderson, John Claybrook, J.C. McLemore, Charlie McClain and J.T. Trezevant. Of these, J.T. Trezevant and the subject of this memoir are alone left enjoying the confidence and respect of all who are proud of the present prosperity of our city."
The funeral of this truly good old man, now gone to his reward, will occur at 3 o'clock this afternoon from his late residence.
History of the City of Memphis Tennessee by John M. Keating, p. 223.
"William L. Vance was a brother-in-law of Colonel Topp's. He was born in Clarkesville, Tenn., in 1815, and was educated at the Nashville University under the REv. Dr. Philip Lindsay. After graduating, in 1835, he removed to Memphis, and thence went to Texas, where he was identified with the revolutionary movement, and was appointed secretary of legation at Washington, Gerofe C. Childress being minister to the United States from the Republic of Texas. In 1836 Mr. Vance returned to Memphis and was thereafter identified with Colonel Topp in building up and advancing the interests of the town."
Age 72. Married. Cause of death: apoplexy. Interred December 5, 1888. Source: Elmwood Burial Records and Register of Deaths.
Memphis Appeal
November 14 1888
Died at his residence, no. 515 Shelby street, at 11 o'clock p.m., November 13, 1888, William L. Vance, in his seventy third year. Funeral from the residence at 3 o'clock this Wednesday afternoon. Friends of the family invited to attend.
Memphis Appeal
November 14 1888
A Good Old Man Gone
Col. William L. Vance, the Last, But one of the Landmarks of Memphis.
One by one the old landmarks of Memphis and Shelby County are taking their departure from this earth. Col. William L. Vance, is the last one, he having died at 11 o'clock last night, of apoplexy, at his home, No. 515 Shelby street.
If there was one man in Memphis, greater than all others in the matter of an interesting life history, that man was Col. William L. Vance, born at Clarksville, Tenn., November 26, 1816, and educated at Nashville, he landed in Memphis, February 6, 1935, more by accident than design. He was en route home from New Orleans by steamer, among the passengers on board being three agreeable gentlemen, merchants in the then new town of Memphis. They prevailed upon him to stop here and accept a business engagement, and was promptly installed as clerk in a store on Winchester street, between Main and Front row. In the fall of that year he was one of a party of Nashville gentlemen forming a horseback expedition to the then Mexican Territory of Texas. There he found an opportunity for magnificent investment in lands, and did so, a few years later selling at an advance that formed a nucleus for his future handsome fortune. While in that State he was present at the meeting called to declare its independence of Mexico, and was also amazed beyond measure by his appointment to the secretaryship of the legation to the United States, headed by his brother-in-law, George C. Childress, Minister. General Jackson was President at the time, thoroughly acquainted with all the members of the legation and extended a most cordial welcom. From Washington Minister Childress and young Vance made a tour of the principal cities of the country, and at Philadelphia, while witnessing a theatrical performance, they first learned of the victory of the Texas troops over the mexicans, whih settled forever the question of its independence. About one year later, in 1838, he was again in Memphis, and began the acquiring of landed and other business interests which have rendered his name inseparably linked with the history of this city.
He was the pioneer who took a prominent part in the erection of many landmarks of the city, some of which still stand and are ornaments. The most prominent of these is the Gayoso Hotel, which was the result of his enterprise and that of his brother-in-law, Robertson Topp. In 1844, Col. Vance was married to Miss Letitia Thompson, daughter of George C. Thompson, of Kentucky. This union was a long and remarkably happy one, out of which grew a large family of sons and daughters.
When the war broke out Col. Vance, who was then engaged in farming in Kentucky, deposited upward of $100,000 with the Barings, of London, and anxiously awaited the cessation of hostilities, though he took no active part in them, being beyond the age for military service. On the evening of April 14, 1865, he was in Washington, and attended Ford's Theater. The event that occurred on that memorable evening--the assassination of President Lincoln--and of which the subject of this was a witness, needs no elaboration. Col. Vance it was who first reached Willard's Hotel with the news, and started the flame of excitement which swept over that house, the city and country with great fury.
In 1867 he went with a commission from Gov. Bramlette, of Kentucky, to the World's Exposition at Paris, France, accompanied by his daughters, Misses Bettie and Sue. From that gay capital the party of three proceeded to Florence, Naples, Venice, Vienna, Berlin and othger capitals returning by way of London once more to American soil. In 1868 he sold his Kentucky property and returned to Memphis, where he has resided ever sine. The biographical sketch of Col. Vance, as published in Keating's "History of the City of Memphis and Shelby County, Tenn., (Syracuse, NY: D. Mason & Co.)," closes with the following: "Among the older and better men of fifty years ago, who most helped to lift Memphis on its first beginnings, were those fine characters--Marcus Winchester, Robertson Topp, Nat. Anderson, John Claybrook, J.C. McLemore, Charlie McClain and J.T. Trezevant. Of these, J.T. Trezevant and the subject of this memoir are alone left enjoying the confidence and respect of all who are proud of the present prosperity of our city."
The funeral of this truly good old man, now gone to his reward, will occur at 3 o'clock this afternoon from his late residence.
History of the City of Memphis Tennessee by John M. Keating, p. 223.
"William L. Vance was a brother-in-law of Colonel Topp's. He was born in Clarkesville, Tenn., in 1815, and was educated at the Nashville University under the REv. Dr. Philip Lindsay. After graduating, in 1835, he removed to Memphis, and thence went to Texas, where he was identified with the revolutionary movement, and was appointed secretary of legation at Washington, Gerofe C. Childress being minister to the United States from the Republic of Texas. In 1836 Mr. Vance returned to Memphis and was thereafter identified with Colonel Topp in building up and advancing the interests of the town."
Memphis Appeal
November 14 1888
Died at his residence, no. 515 Shelby street, at 11 o'clock p.m., November 13, 1888, William L. Vance, in his seventy third year. Funeral from the residence at 3 o'clock this Wednesday afternoon. Friends of the family invited to attend.
Memphis Appeal
November 14 1888
A Good Old Man Gone
Col. William L. Vance, the Last, But one of the Landmarks of Memphis.
One by one the old landmarks of Memphis and Shelby County are taking their departure from this earth. Col. William L. Vance, is the last one, he having died at 11 o'clock last night, of apoplexy, at his home, No. 515 Shelby street.
If there was one man in Memphis, greater than all others in the matter of an interesting life history, that man was Col. William L. Vance, born at Clarksville, Tenn., November 26, 1816, and educated at Nashville, he landed in Memphis, February 6, 1935, more by accident than design. He was en route home from New Orleans by steamer, among the passengers on board being three agreeable gentlemen, merchants in the then new town of Memphis. They prevailed upon him to stop here and accept a business engagement, and was promptly installed as clerk in a store on Winchester street, between Main and Front row. In the fall of that year he was one of a party of Nashville gentlemen forming a horseback expedition to the then Mexican Territory of Texas. There he found an opportunity for magnificent investment in lands, and did so, a few years later selling at an advance that formed a nucleus for his future handsome fortune. While in that State he was present at the meeting called to declare its independence of Mexico, and was also amazed beyond measure by his appointment to the secretaryship of the legation to the United States, headed by his brother-in-law, George C. Childress, Minister. General Jackson was President at the time, thoroughly acquainted with all the members of the legation and extended a most cordial welcom. From Washington Minister Childress and young Vance made a tour of the principal cities of the country, and at Philadelphia, while witnessing a theatrical performance, they first learned of the victory of the Texas troops over the mexicans, whih settled forever the question of its independence. About one year later, in 1838, he was again in Memphis, and began the acquiring of landed and other business interests which have rendered his name inseparably linked with the history of this city.
He was the pioneer who took a prominent part in the erection of many landmarks of the city, some of which still stand and are ornaments. The most prominent of these is the Gayoso Hotel, which was the result of his enterprise and that of his brother-in-law, Robertson Topp. In 1844, Col. Vance was married to Miss Letitia Thompson, daughter of George C. Thompson, of Kentucky. This union was a long and remarkably happy one, out of which grew a large family of sons and daughters.
When the war broke out Col. Vance, who was then engaged in farming in Kentucky, deposited upward of $100,000 with the Barings, of London, and anxiously awaited the cessation of hostilities, though he took no active part in them, being beyond the age for military service. On the evening of April 14, 1865, he was in Washington, and attended Ford's Theater. The event that occurred on that memorable evening--the assassination of President Lincoln--and of which the subject of this was a witness, needs no elaboration. Col. Vance it was who first reached Willard's Hotel with the news, and started the flame of excitement which swept over that house, the city and country with great fury.
In 1867 he went with a commission from Gov. Bramlette, of Kentucky, to the World's Exposition at Paris, France, accompanied by his daughters, Misses Bettie and Sue. From that gay capital the party of three proceeded to Florence, Naples, Venice, Vienna, Berlin and othger capitals returning by way of London once more to American soil. In 1868 he sold his Kentucky property and returned to Memphis, where he has resided ever sine. The biographical sketch of Col. Vance, as published in Keating's "History of the City of Memphis and Shelby County, Tenn., (Syracuse, NY: D. Mason & Co.)," closes with the following: "Among the older and better men of fifty years ago, who most helped to lift Memphis on its first beginnings, were those fine characters--Marcus Winchester, Robertson Topp, Nat. Anderson, John Claybrook, J.C. McLemore, Charlie McClain and J.T. Trezevant. Of these, J.T. Trezevant and the subject of this memoir are alone left enjoying the confidence and respect of all who are proud of the present prosperity of our city."
The funeral of this truly good old man, now gone to his reward, will occur at 3 o'clock this afternoon from his late residence.
History of the City of Memphis Tennessee by John M. Keating, p. 223.
"William L. Vance was a brother-in-law of Colonel Topp's. He was born in Clarkesville, Tenn., in 1815, and was educated at the Nashville University under the REv. Dr. Philip Lindsay. After graduating, in 1835, he removed to Memphis, and thence went to Texas, where he was identified with the revolutionary movement, and was appointed secretary of legation at Washington, Gerofe C. Childress being minister to the United States from the Republic of Texas. In 1836 Mr. Vance returned to Memphis and was thereafter identified with Colonel Topp in building up and advancing the interests of the town."
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