My, my, what big ears you have! When William H Washington Lance was born on September 21, 1855, in Upshur, West Virginia, his father, Jacob Lance, was 24 and his mother, Sena Post, was 22. Unfortunately, William was only 7 years old when his father was shot in 1862. Will was likely raised by his mother with presumably help from both families.
He married Medora “Dora” Emma Armstrong on October 7, 1880, in Upshur County. They had five children in 10 years – all girls! In order of birth: Carrie, Grace, Cora Marie, Reka, and Lelah.
William was a farmer and managed well enough to have a sizable property in Meade District of Upshur County with a beautiful Victorian style home. William and Dora did well enough that her parents lived with them in their later years. There are lots of family reunion photos that tell the story of a loving and close family.
He died in 1936 in Upshur, West Virginia, at the age of 81, and was buried in Point Pleasant Cemetery in Abbott near their home.