Dr. Charles R. Pontius with David J. Vance in the "Winton" 1903 Hayes Presidential Library and Museums Sandusky County Local History Photograph Collection |
The picture in which David Vance appears is one of a
series of staged images taken in 1903 of well-known Sandusky County physician
Dr. Charles R. Pontius. Pontius was apparently thrilled with his beloved “Winton”
automobile. In addition to the "Winton,” a horse named “Kitty,” and an electric
street car are featured in the photograph. The picture was intended to show
viewers the rapid evolution in transportation that was taking place at the turn
of the century. But of course, none of this immediately of interest. It was the friend
sitting beside Dr. Pontius in the “Winton,” who was identified as Vance – the
first and only picture I had located of one of Sandusky County’s African
American Civil War veterans. I am hoping I will discover more images of these
brave men!
Vance enlisted in the 44th U. S. Colored Regiment that was formed at Chattanooga in 1864. The regiment fought at battles
near Dalton and Rome, Georgia and at Nashville. Serving a total of 19 months,
Vance was discharged in August 1865. He returned to Sandusky County where he
worked as a laborer and then a shoemaker. In 1882, he married Jane Whetzel
Keys. She was the daughter of Felix and Lavina Newsome Whetzel and was born
near McCutcheonville, Ohio.
To add to their income,he Vances rented rooms to
several boarders and Jane worked as a hair dresser. At the age of 56, David Vance
joined the local Eugene Rawson Post of the Grand Army of the Republic. He
remained a member in good standing until his death in January of 1904. Jane
lived until the age of 91. Both David and Jane are buried in Fremont, Ohio's OakwoodCemetery.
Courtesy of Find a Grave
A version of this article appeared in Lifestyles 2000.
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