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Compiled by John H. Wheeler Published in 1903 by B. F. Bowen Biography Page 180 |
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ASAPH T. VANCE
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There is no positive rule for achieving success, and yet in the life of the successful man there are always lessons which might well be followed. The man who gains prosperity is he who can see and utilize the opportunity that comes in his path. The essential conditions of human life are ever the same, the surroundings of individuals differ but slightly, and when one man passes another on the highway of life to reach the goal of prosperity before others who perhaps started out before him, it is because he has the power to use advantages which probably encompass the whole human race. Today among the prominent citizens and successful agriculturists of Clam Lake township, Wexford county, Michigan, stands Asaph T. Vance. The qualities of keen discrimination, sound judgment and a keen sense of honor enter very largely into his make-up and have been contributing elements to the material success which has come to him. Asaph T. Vance is a native of Canada, having been born in the county of Norfolk, province of Ontario, on the 11th of May, 1846, the son of Alexander and Nancy (Teal) Vance, natives also of Canada. The subject was reared upon his father's farm and was early initiated into the mysteries of successful agriculture, in the meantime being given the benefit of a good education in the common schools, a grammar school and private instruction under Robert Miller, a classical scholar. He remained with his mother until in February, 1872, when, desiring to start out on his own account, he came to Cadillac (then known as Clam Lake) and took up a homestead. During the first five or six years he passed his winters teaching, and in the lumber woods, but at length was enabled to give his attention to his farm. He set about to improve the tract and had forty acres improved and in good cultivable condition, when, in 1903, he traded his homestead for an eighty-acre tract in section 25, the same township. He has given careful attention to the cultivation of his land and raises all the crops that the climate and soil are at all capable of producing, and also pays some attention to the raising of such stock as is needed in the conduct of the farm. His farm is well improved with a modern dwelling and his outbuildings are all of substantial construction and conveniently arranged, as well as sufficiently commodious for all practical purposes. The entire place shows the careful superintendence of a skillful manager, and there are very few farms of its size in the county with which it will not favorably compare. Mr. Vance has twice been married, the first time, on the 11th day of May, 1875, to Miss Alma J. Barker, a native of Hillsdale county, Michigan. Her death occurred July 9, 1876, and on the 5th of November, 1882, Mr. Vance was married to Miss Dorcas C. Dunbar, a native of the state of New York and the daughter of Robert and Mary (Lake) Dunbar. When she was yet in young girlhood her parents removed from New York to Hancock county, Ohio, where she was reared and educated and lived until early in the seventies, when she came to Wexford county, Michigan. To her union with Mr. Vance was born one child, Asaph J., who died when ten months old. The political sentiments of the subject are in harmony with the platform and principles of the Republican party and he has been active in the interests of his party. He stands high in the confidence of his fellow citizens and for several years filled the office of clerk of his township and also several years as township supervisor, performing the duties of both positions in a manner highly creditable to himself and to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. In religion he subscribes to the creed of the Methodist Episcopal church. He aims to be progressive in what he does, is always in sympathy with enterprises having for their object the common good, and his influence is ever exerted on the right side of every moral issue. Like all men of positive character and independence of mind, he is outspoken in the defence of what he considers to be right, and his convictions are such that his neighbors and fellow citizens know well his positions on all questions of a political, moral and religious nature. His private life has been exemplary and his amiable traits of character and many virtues have made him widely popular throughout the township in which he resides. |