Surnames: Russell, Smith
Regions: Sacketts Harbor, New York - Milwaukee, WI
Source: Wisconsin Its Story and Biography; Vol 4; Pages 924-925
In the death of Frank L. Vance, which occurred in Atlantic City, New Jersey, December 2, 1908, not only did the transportation and insurance interests of Wisconsin lose one of their enterprising and useful workers and directors, but the city of Milwaukee lost a character it could ill afford to spare. The late Frank L. Vance was an exceptional businessman, as his position in the insurance and marine circles about the great lakes, and as vice president of the David Vance & Company, and the Vance & Joys Company at Milwaukee proves. But he will long be remembered for the possession of certain genial qualities and characteristics of true gentlehood such as adorn and refine any community. He was associated most of his business life with his brother David Vance. Frank L. Vance possessed the true courtesy of the heart, a kindly spirit in all his relations with his fellow men, and while his associations were on the upper planes of society, he always had a practical sympathy, and many close friends among men in what are popularly termed the lower walks of life. He was very young when his father died, and it was necessary for him to start to make his own living at an early age and it was no doubt this fact which gave him such close touch and sympathy with working people. Though his early school advantages were limited he educated himself liberally by extensive reading, and was a man who could talk intelligently on many subjects and departments of world's affairs, outside of his immediate business. A large circle of friends will long recall his elaborate, and at the same time comfortable hospitality extended at his beautiful home at 91 Prospect avenue.
Frank L. Vance was born at Sacketts Harbor, New York, September 9, 1847, and was therefore in his sixty-second year at the time of his death. His education was acquired in the public schools and later supplemented by study at home and in such infrequent intervals of leisure as came to him during his exceedingly busy youth and early manhood. Nearly all his life was spent in Milwaukee, where his parents, Mr. and Mrs. David Vance, settled in 1854 when he was seven years old.
In his early business career Mr. Vance was first bookkeeper and was then taken into the firm of David Vance & Company, that company being headed by his brother David. For forty years Frank L. Vance was closely identified with the insurance and Lake transportation business. His company was among the oldest insurance firms in Milwaukee. The late Mr. Vance was for a long time interested in a number of lake freighters, and his firm handles marine insurance for some of the principal lake transportation companies. By his prominent relations, Mr. Vance was known in practically all the cities bordering on the five great lakes, and he had influential membership in the various organizations of lake traffic men.
Frank L. Vance had membership in the Milwaukee Club. the Milwaukee Country Club, of which he was first vice president, the Town Club, the Chamber of Commerce, and was affiliated with Excelsior Lodge and Excelsior Chapter of the Masonic body. In politics he was a Republican.
Though known in many business circles and social and fraternal bodies, Mr. Vance was essentially a home man, and his greatest pleasures were in the atmosphere of the beautiful place on Prospect Avenue, where his widow still resides. On June 1, 1855, Mr. Vance married Miss Anna L. Russell, of Algonac, Michigan, a daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Smith) Russell. Mrs. Vance is the daughter of a prominent Michigan family, is herself highly educated and a cultured woman who enriched the life of her late husband with many fine qualities of heart and mind, and who has long been one of the leaders of Milwaukee society. Mrs. Vance is an extensive traveler and has made many trips abroad, and through America.
