Bates County Biographies
Bates County Biographies
VANCE, Edward S.
Mt. Pleasant Township - Edward S. Vance, the subject of this sketch, was born in
Washington County, Illinois, April 14, 1855. When three months old, owing to his
mother's death, he was taken to his grandmother's home at Connersville, Indiana,
where he lived until his ninth year. Then he accompanied his father to Vandalia,
Illinois, residing there till fifteen years of age, after which time he settled
in Henry County, Missouri. He completed his education at the Clinton schools,
and at the age of nineteen years began the profession of school teaching, which
he continued in Henry County until 1879. Then he was engaged as correspondent
and reporter on the Sedalia Daily Democrat, and after six months service in that
capacity, he was interested in clerical work in the recorder's office at
Clinton. After remaining so occupied for a short time he resumed his profession
of teaching. In the spring of 1880, he removed to Rich Hill, Missouri, and
commenced the study of law under Bowen, Irish & Templeton, and subsequently was
employed in the post office as clerk, remaining therein until his superiors were
removed from office. He then became special correspondent of the Rich Hill
Mining Review, which position he held until November 1, 1881, when he was
appointed deputy county clerk. This office he filled until the expiration of his
term of service, in December, 1882, having made a most capable duty. (History of
Bates County, Missouri, 1883)
VAN DYKE, V.B.
V.B. Van Dyke was born in St. Clair Co., Alabama, April 2, 1830; emigrated with
his parents to Cherokee County, Alabama, in 1837, where he attended such schools
as existed at that time - the school house was built of pine logs, with the
openings between the logs for windows. He emigrated to Bates County in 1853 and
came to Butler when the place was covered with prairie grass, where he has
resided ever since. Together with R.L. Duncan, who was then county surveyor, he
surveyed the town when the same was made the county seat in 1856, and surveyed
most of the addition made to it since. He operated as deputy county surveyor
under R.L. Duncan for four years; was appointed by the county court as assessor
of Bates County for the years 1862, '63 and '64 and was elected county surveyor
for 1866, and also was elected assessor of Mt. Pleasant Township for two years,
1889 and 1890. Worked in county clerk's office for W.E. Walton; also in
recorder's office for Capt. J.C. Martin during his term, and during his long
residence in Bates county has followed various other pursuits. Was made a member
of the Masonic fraternity in the first lodge that was established in Butler in
1858, and was also a charter member of Butler Lodge No. 254 when same was
organized in 1868, of which he is now a member. (Bates County, Missouri History,
1821-1900)