My Genealogy Hound

PHILIP RANCE, who owns two hundred and twenty-six acres of land in township 45, range 25, Johnson County, is a native of Germany, and was born near Frankfort-on-the-Main, March 26, 1836. He is considered one of the enterprising and practical farmers of this locality, and has succeeded in his various undertakings far beyond his expectations.

Christian and Susan (Seymour) Rance, the parents of Philip, were also natives of the Fatherland, where the former was a stonemason by trade. They remained in Germany until 1851. In the mean time the mother died, and the father married again, after which he decided to try his fortunes in the New World. They embarked on the vessel “Wilhelmina,” December 9, 1851, and were fifty-five days en route. They were landed in the port of New Orleans, but as their destination was Missouri, they made their way up the Mississippi River, stopping for a short time in St. Louis. From that city they went to Lexington, Mo., and from there they went to Warrensburg. They had friends living in this locality, among them being one John Peter George, an old schoolmate, who was employed as a potter near Knobnoster.

After a short stay in Warrensburg, the Rance family located on the farm known as the Isaac Kimsey Place, nine miles southeast of Warrensburg. This the father rented and operated for a year, when he left our subject to take care of himself and went to St. Louis, where he obtained work at the stonemason’s trade, and lived until his decease. His second wife also passed to her reward in the latter city.

To Christian and Susan Rance there were born two children, the brother of our subject being Lawrence. He served as a Union soldier in the Civil War, and died in St. Louis in 1867, from the effects of wounds received in the battle of Richmond. At the time of the family’s removal to St. Louis, in 1855, Philip was left to care for himself. He then entered the employ of Major Russell, and by him was sent across the plains as teamster. He first went to Ft. Riley, and stopped for a while at Ft. Laramie, Ft. Bridger, Salt Lake City and Camp Floyd. He remained in the latter place until September, 1859, when he returned to this county and engaged to work for Mr. Brockman, staying with him until his marriage, which occurred February 1, 1861. The lady on this occasion was Miss Mary Ann Loun, who was born in Kelsterbach, Germany, June 6, 1841. Her parents were Philip and Anna Mary (Haas) Loun, who were also Germans by birth, and crossed the Atlantic on the same vessel which brought our subject and his father’s family. The party remained together during the journey up the Mississippi, and, arriving in Johnson County, the Louns located on a farm of eighty acres, three miles from Knobnoster. Mr. Loun later bought another eighty acres, improved all the tract, and made it his home until his death, which occurred October 18, 1861, during the Civil War. At that time he was visited at his home by several Secessionists, who asked him as a favor to show them the way across the creek. He very willingly acceded to their wish, and on reaching the creek bottom was inhumanly shot down. His family were very seriously alarmed upon learning what his errand was, and felt then that they would never see him alive again. Mrs. Loun continued to reside on the old home place for some time, and then, dividing the estate, made her home with her children until her decease, in July 1884.

During the war, our subject enlisted, in April, 1862, in Company G, Seventh Missouri State Militia, at Warrensburg, which was under the command of Col. John F. Phillips and Capt. M. U. Foster. During the three years in which he was in the service he held the position of Wagon Master, and in this capacity was kept on the move all the time, visiting almost every point in northwestern Arkansas, besides the greater portion of his own state. He was discharged at the close of the war and was mustered out May 14, 1865.

Mr. Rance returned to his home after bidding good-bye to his fellow-soldiers, and when he had spent some time in “resting up,” again took up the peaceful occupation of a farmer, and located on a rented farm in this township. He lived on this place for three years, when he came to his present estate, first purchasing sixty acres. On this he built a house, the same which his family occupies to-day, and then gave his attention to the improvement of his tract. To this he afterward made several additions, until now it is two hundred and twenty-six acres in extent. He is engaged in a general farming and stock-raising business, and in the pursuance of this, his chosen vocation, he meets with success.

To Mr. and Mrs. Rance there were born six children, one of whom, Mary Emma, is deceased. She was born June 14, 1878, and died June 4, 1880. Frank was born March 15, 1862; John Philip, born April 28, 1864, is engaged in teaching school in Texas; Nanie Christina, born August 9, 1869, is at home; William Sherman, born September 13, 1871, married Victoria Burford, and makes his home north of Warrensburg; and George J., born December 31, 1883, is also with his parents. The children obtained their education in the district school near their home, with the exception of John P., who completed his education in the normal school at Warrensburg. Mr. Rance is progressive and public-spirited, and as School Director has aided greatly in advancing the standard of scholarship in his locality. He has always voted the Republican ticket. His good wife is a member of the German Baptist Church, meeting with a congregation three miles northwest of her home.

The farm which our subject occupies has a peculiar history, having been formerly owned by the Stevensons, a gang of desperadoes. A number of years ago, however, Mr. Stevenson was killed on this farm by the Vigilance Committee, and two of his sons were killed near Warrensburg. The other members of the family thought it best to leave the neighborhood and removed to Kansas.