Vansice, John M.

VANSICE, BREWER, ROSE, MAGGARD, RICHMOND, WALKER, DEETER, WHITE, MILLARD, GIBSON, ORR

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 10/23/2009 at 07:39:47

Vansice, John M.

One of the leading live stock dealers and farm owners in Jasper County is John M. Vansice, of Independence Township. His valuable property has been acquired through his own efforts-his persistency of purpose and his determination-and the prosperity which is the legitimate reward of all earnest effort is today his, while at the same time he has been careful of his personal habits and has won and retained the undivided respect of all with whom he has come into contact. He is one of the best - known stockmen in the county.

Mr. Vansice was born in Bradford County, Pennsylvania, May 12, 1855. He is the son of Joseph and Clarinda (Brewer) Vansice, the father born in the State of New York and the mother in New York. She is now living in Bradford County, Pennsylvania, the father having died in Jasper County, Iowa, whither he had come with his parents in the year 1868 and here spent the rest of his life, becoming very well established on the farm. They were the parents of three children, namely: Josephine, who died when thirteen years of age; Mrs. Alice Rose; John M., of this sketch, who is the youngest.

John M. Vansice was thirteen years old when he left his boyhood home in the Keystone state and emigrated with his parents to Jasper County, Iowa, in 1868 and here he grew to manhood, received his education in the public schools and has continued to reside to the present time. He engaged in farming until August 26, 1891, when he moved to a very comfortable and commodious home in Baxter where he has since resided, having been engaged in buying and selling all kinds of live stock except horses, being regarded as one of the best judges of live stock in this locality. He is the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of as fine land as Independence can boast, also one hundred and seventeen acres in another farm in this township. His land has been placed under modern improvements and is very productive. He owns another dwelling house in Baxter besides his home residence. By his individual efforts, good management and honest dealings he has acquired a competency.

Mr. Vansice was married on September 3, 1875, to Malinda Richmond, who was born in Jasper County, Iowa, January 11, 1860. She is the daughter of Sims and Susannah (Maggard) Richmond, the father born in Tennessee, June 28, 1820, and the mother in Indiana, March 28, 1819. The father's death occurred in Kansas and the mother died in Jasper County, Iowa. There were six children in the Richmond family, namely: Mrs. Sarah Walker, born September 23, 1849, is deceased; Andrew Jackson, born September 2, 1851, lives in Iowa; Mrs. Martha Ann Deeter, born November 1, 1852, lives in Baxter, Iowa; Mrs. Mary White, born May 16, 1855, lives in St. Clair County, Missouri; Mrs. Elinor Millard, born December 4, 1857, lives in Newton; Malinda, wife of Mr. Vansice of this review, is the youngest.

To Mr. and Mrs. Vansice five children have been born, three of whom are living, namely: Mrs. Ella Gibson, born June 18, 1877, lives on the home farm in Independence Township; Fred, born July 28, 1883, lives and farms in Oklahoma; he married Erla Orr and they have two children, Georgia Catherine, born March 3, 1904, and Ida May, born November 11, 1909; William, born May 3, 1893, lives with his parents in Baxter; two children died in infancy. They were all born in Jasper County.

Politically, Mr. Vansice is an independent voter, preferring to cast his ballot for the man best qualified, in his estimation, for the office sought rather than for the party. In his fraternal relations he belongs to Unity Lodge No. 520, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of Baxter. They are both popular with a wide circle of friends. Past and Present of Jasper County Iowa B. F. Bowden & Company, Indianapolis, IN, 1912 Page 1272.