William J. Lance

As printed in 1889

JLLIAM J. LANCE is a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Hoffstat- — ' ter) Lance, and was born in Milton Township, Wayne Co., Ohio, December 10, 1834. Christopher Lance, his grandfather, a native of Germany, married in New Jersey, where Henry Lance was born, and afterward settled in Jefferson County, Ohio. In 1819 Henry and James Lance came to Wayne County, Ohio, and entered a tract of land in Milton Township, where they engaged in farming, and in connection operated a distillery. Henry Lance married for his first wife Lucy Lee, and by her had five children, three of whom are living: Christopher, Catherine (widow of Isaac Wekly), Jane (widow of Henry Zeigler), all in Milton Township, Wayne Co., Ohio. By his second wife, nee Elizabeth HofPstatter, he had children, as follows: William J.; John and Abraham, in Milton Township, Wayne Co.; Elizabeth, wife of Allen Walker, in Michigan, and Teressa, wife of Isaac Grossman, also in Michigan. Henry Lance died April 21, 1862.

William J. Lance, our subject, was educated in the schools of his township, and has always followed farming, having lived on his present farm in Milton Township since 1864. In 1862 he married Miss Clara M., daughter of Daniel Johnson, of Milton Township, Wayne County, and she died in ISS-l, leaving seven children, one of whom has since died. Those now living are Alfred D., married to Miss Hannah Chatman, and residing in Michigan; Edwin R., married to Sarah, daughter of Johnston Swagler, and residing in Milton Township; Medwin H., Winfred, Daniel Dewitt and Viva Mabel, all at home. Mr. Lance took for his second wife Mrs. Annie Swagler, widow of Jonathan Swagler. He has since served as constable for one year, trustee for five years, also school director, supervisor, etc. He is a member of Sterling Lodge No. 1818, Royal Arcanum, and is a trustee and deacon in the Baptist Church.

As printed in Commemorative biographical record of Wayne County, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families .. (1889). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.