James B. Vance was born December 27, 1862 in Seaton, Illinois to James and Sarah (Pearson) Vance.

The VFA Newsletter in January 2000 records this history of James B. Vance's parents:

"James Vance, farmer, son of William and Rachel Vance, was born in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, February 15, 1825. He removed with his father's family to Mercer County, Illinois, in 1833, and settled in Keithsburg township, where the village of Keithsburg now stands. After remaining there one year, the family removed to Rock Island County, Illinois, and at the end of a 12 month stay retuned to Keithsburg township, where they made farming their business. In 1847 (James Sr.)...was married to Sarah, daughter of Mark L. and Mary (Steward) Pearson. Mr. Vance removed with his wife soon after their marriage to Davis County, Iowa, wehre they remained six years. Then they removed to New Boston Township, Mercer County, Illinois, where they resided three years. From there they went to Abington Township, where Mr. Vance bought the farm on which they now live. The farm contains 170 acres of excellent land, and Mr. Vance and his family of boys have devoted most of their time tilling the soil.

Mr. and Mrs. Vance have had born to them 12 children: William R., Robert L., Josiah W., Elijah A., Nerva A., John W., Marion E., Gershan H., James B., Forbes N., Mary V., and Martha E.; the latter deceased. Politically Mr. Vance is a Greenbacker, and religiously he is a moralist. Of late years he has had rather poor health, and took a trip last summer to California, Oregon and some of the western territories, from which he received much benefit. Mr. Vance can relate many incidents in the early settlement of the country of much interest. He saw the distinguished Indian chief, Black Hawk, and six hundred of his dusky warriors.".

James Shearin found in Illinois Archives

Name: James Vance
Birthplace: Penn.
Gender: Male
Wife: Sarah Pearson
Son: James Brewer Vance

Other information in the record of James Brewer Vance
from Illinois Deaths and Stillbirths
Name: James Brewer Vance
Event Date: 31 Jul 1938
Event Place: Aledo, Mercer, Illinois
Gender: Male
Age: 75
Birth Year (Estimated): 1863
Birth Date: 27 Dec 1862
Birthplace: Donigton, Mercer, Illinois
Father's Name: James Vance
Father's Birthplace: Penn.
Mother's Name: Sarah Pearson
Mother's Birthplace: Ohio
Occupation: Farmer Retired
Spouse's Name: Rebecca Vance
Burial Date: 02 Aug 1938
Burial Place: Millersburg, Mercer, Illinois
Digital Folder Number: 4008483 , Image Number: 2400 , GS Film number: 1818884 , Reference ID: 27477