Laurence Vannice, knowd [sic] as "Uncle Laurence" died Saturday at the residence of his son, H. N. Vannice. Laurence Vannice was born in Kentucky June 20th, 1807. He remained at home until eighteen years of age and then served three years learning the blacksmith's trade. He then returned to the farm and for five years had charge of it. In 1828, he made a public profession of faith in Christ and united with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. July 25th, 1833, he was married to Caroline F. Adams and in October of that year he moved to Marion township, Hendricks county. At that time the country confronted the settler with difficulties of which the present generation can scarcely conceive. But in his own words: "With patience and industry we managed to have plenty to eat, and to wear and in due time some to spare."
The people of this neighborhood had preaching service now and then. In 1835 the New Winchester church was organized with Laurence Vannice and wife, P. C. Vannice and Mrs. Robert Ragan. Uncle Laurence was elected trustee and deacon. In the latter capacity he served for thirty-nine years. September 17th 1846 Mrs. Vannice died leaving six small children. In August 1848 he married Julia Hadley and to this union two sons and a daughter were born. In 1872 Mrs. Vannice died and in 1874 with his daughter, Mary, as housekeeper he moved to Danville. In 1883 he united with the Cumberland Presbyterian church of Danville at its organization. For five years or more he has been blind. In his extreme age, memory of recent events almost entirely failed him but his memory of events long ago was good. His association with the New Winchester church as its leader in song was to him in the last few years a matter of inspiration. Now and then when someone called his attention to the work of those days he seemed to live anew in those former delightful experiences. Frequently when his son suggested that they sing some of the old songs he has heartily entered into the service. His memory of religious experiences was vivid. He enjoyed telling of his associations with the ministers. His memory of things religious was much more vivid than of things secular. His life was religious in a marked degree. Some of those who attended the last birthday dinner at Mrs. Ragan's remember his words of benediction as he was presented to some. His disposition was most remarkable in its cheerfulness and submission. He grew lonely at times shut in as he was from the sight of people and the objects of nature but his happiness rose above loneliness. Since June his constant statement has been of something happy and the last word he spoke was "happy." His faith in Christ sustained him and he came to the end of life a conqueror and more than a conqueror.
He would forget at whose home he was and when told that he was at his son Harvey's, he would reply: "That is where I want to be." He had frequently expressed a desire to spend his last days at the home of his eldest son, Harvey. Although he would sometimes find it difficult to recall the names of his children, he never forgot his relationship to Jesus Christ. Friday was the only day his children remember his keeping his bed all day. Of the five brothers and sisters,the average age was eighty-three and they died in the order of their birth. In him the past and the future joined. Oblivious for the most part of the things about him he reached backward in memory and forward by faith. In his life so limited because of lack of sight and memory he revealed his true character without any effort at show or concealment, the prevailing thought of his life, happiness, that grew out of trust in God and a right life. There is a sweet sadness in thoughts of his life. He lived almost twenty-one years after the allotted three score years and ten and the hoary head was to him a crown of glory because he was found in the way of righteousness.
The funeral services were held at Cumberland Presbyterian church, the services being in charge of the pastor Rev. McKnight. The interment was at the family cemetery.
[March 10, 1898 Republican]
The people of this neighborhood had preaching service now and then. In 1835 the New Winchester church was organized with Laurence Vannice and wife, P. C. Vannice and Mrs. Robert Ragan. Uncle Laurence was elected trustee and deacon. In the latter capacity he served for thirty-nine years. September 17th 1846 Mrs. Vannice died leaving six small children. In August 1848 he married Julia Hadley and to this union two sons and a daughter were born. In 1872 Mrs. Vannice died and in 1874 with his daughter, Mary, as housekeeper he moved to Danville. In 1883 he united with the Cumberland Presbyterian church of Danville at its organization. For five years or more he has been blind. In his extreme age, memory of recent events almost entirely failed him but his memory of events long ago was good. His association with the New Winchester church as its leader in song was to him in the last few years a matter of inspiration. Now and then when someone called his attention to the work of those days he seemed to live anew in those former delightful experiences. Frequently when his son suggested that they sing some of the old songs he has heartily entered into the service. His memory of religious experiences was vivid. He enjoyed telling of his associations with the ministers. His memory of things religious was much more vivid than of things secular. His life was religious in a marked degree. Some of those who attended the last birthday dinner at Mrs. Ragan's remember his words of benediction as he was presented to some. His disposition was most remarkable in its cheerfulness and submission. He grew lonely at times shut in as he was from the sight of people and the objects of nature but his happiness rose above loneliness. Since June his constant statement has been of something happy and the last word he spoke was "happy." His faith in Christ sustained him and he came to the end of life a conqueror and more than a conqueror.
He would forget at whose home he was and when told that he was at his son Harvey's, he would reply: "That is where I want to be." He had frequently expressed a desire to spend his last days at the home of his eldest son, Harvey. Although he would sometimes find it difficult to recall the names of his children, he never forgot his relationship to Jesus Christ. Friday was the only day his children remember his keeping his bed all day. Of the five brothers and sisters,the average age was eighty-three and they died in the order of their birth. In him the past and the future joined. Oblivious for the most part of the things about him he reached backward in memory and forward by faith. In his life so limited because of lack of sight and memory he revealed his true character without any effort at show or concealment, the prevailing thought of his life, happiness, that grew out of trust in God and a right life. There is a sweet sadness in thoughts of his life. He lived almost twenty-one years after the allotted three score years and ten and the hoary head was to him a crown of glory because he was found in the way of righteousness.
The funeral services were held at Cumberland Presbyterian church, the services being in charge of the pastor Rev. McKnight. The interment was at the family cemetery.
[March 10, 1898 Republican]
Laurence Vannice, knowd [sic] as "Uncle Laurence" died Saturday at the residence of his son, H. N. Vannice. Laurence Vannice was born in Kentucky June 20th, 1807. He remained at home until eighteen years of age and then served three years learning the blacksmith's trade. He then returned to the farm and for five years had charge of it. In 1828, he made a public profession of faith in Christ and united with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. July 25th, 1833, he was married to Caroline F. Adams and in October of that year he moved to Marion township, Hendricks county. At that time the country confronted the settler with difficulties of which the present generation can scarcely conceive. But in his own words: "With patience and industry we managed to have plenty to eat, and to wear and in due time some to spare."
The people of this neighborhood had preaching service now and then. In 1835 the New Winchester church was organized with Laurence Vannice and wife, P. C. Vannice and Mrs. Robert Ragan. Uncle Laurence was elected trustee and deacon. In the latter capacity he served for thirty-nine years. September 17th 1846 Mrs. Vannice died leaving six small children. In August 1848 he married Julia Hadley and to this union two sons and a daughter were born. In 1872 Mrs. Vannice died and in 1874 with his daughter, Mary, as housekeeper he moved to Danville. In 1883 he united with the Cumberland Presbyterian church of Danville at its organization. For five years or more he has been blind. In his extreme age, memory of recent events almost entirely failed him but his memory of events long ago was good. His association with the New Winchester church as its leader in song was to him in the last few years a matter of inspiration. Now and then when someone called his attention to the work of those days he seemed to live anew in those former delightful experiences. Frequently when his son suggested that they sing some of the old songs he has heartily entered into the service. His memory of religious experiences was vivid. He enjoyed telling of his associations with the ministers. His memory of things religious was much more vivid than of things secular. His life was religious in a marked degree. Some of those who attended the last birthday dinner at Mrs. Ragan's remember his words of benediction as he was presented to some. His disposition was most remarkable in its cheerfulness and submission. He grew lonely at times shut in as he was from the sight of people and the objects of nature but his happiness rose above loneliness. Since June his constant statement has been of something happy and the last word he spoke was "happy." His faith in Christ sustained him and he came to the end of life a conqueror and more than a conqueror.
He would forget at whose home he was and when told that he was at his son Harvey's, he would reply: "That is where I want to be." He had frequently expressed a desire to spend his last days at the home of his eldest son, Harvey. Although he would sometimes find it difficult to recall the names of his children, he never forgot his relationship to Jesus Christ. Friday was the only day his children remember his keeping his bed all day. Of the five brothers and sisters,the average age was eighty-three and they died in the order of their birth. In him the past and the future joined. Oblivious for the most part of the things about him he reached backward in memory and forward by faith. In his life so limited because of lack of sight and memory he revealed his true character without any effort at show or concealment, the prevailing thought of his life, happiness, that grew out of trust in God and a right life. There is a sweet sadness in thoughts of his life. He lived almost twenty-one years after the allotted three score years and ten and the hoary head was to him a crown of glory because he was found in the way of righteousness.
The funeral services were held at Cumberland Presbyterian church, the services being in charge of the pastor Rev. McKnight. The interment was at the family cemetery.
[March 10, 1898 Republican]
The people of this neighborhood had preaching service now and then. In 1835 the New Winchester church was organized with Laurence Vannice and wife, P. C. Vannice and Mrs. Robert Ragan. Uncle Laurence was elected trustee and deacon. In the latter capacity he served for thirty-nine years. September 17th 1846 Mrs. Vannice died leaving six small children. In August 1848 he married Julia Hadley and to this union two sons and a daughter were born. In 1872 Mrs. Vannice died and in 1874 with his daughter, Mary, as housekeeper he moved to Danville. In 1883 he united with the Cumberland Presbyterian church of Danville at its organization. For five years or more he has been blind. In his extreme age, memory of recent events almost entirely failed him but his memory of events long ago was good. His association with the New Winchester church as its leader in song was to him in the last few years a matter of inspiration. Now and then when someone called his attention to the work of those days he seemed to live anew in those former delightful experiences. Frequently when his son suggested that they sing some of the old songs he has heartily entered into the service. His memory of religious experiences was vivid. He enjoyed telling of his associations with the ministers. His memory of things religious was much more vivid than of things secular. His life was religious in a marked degree. Some of those who attended the last birthday dinner at Mrs. Ragan's remember his words of benediction as he was presented to some. His disposition was most remarkable in its cheerfulness and submission. He grew lonely at times shut in as he was from the sight of people and the objects of nature but his happiness rose above loneliness. Since June his constant statement has been of something happy and the last word he spoke was "happy." His faith in Christ sustained him and he came to the end of life a conqueror and more than a conqueror.
He would forget at whose home he was and when told that he was at his son Harvey's, he would reply: "That is where I want to be." He had frequently expressed a desire to spend his last days at the home of his eldest son, Harvey. Although he would sometimes find it difficult to recall the names of his children, he never forgot his relationship to Jesus Christ. Friday was the only day his children remember his keeping his bed all day. Of the five brothers and sisters,the average age was eighty-three and they died in the order of their birth. In him the past and the future joined. Oblivious for the most part of the things about him he reached backward in memory and forward by faith. In his life so limited because of lack of sight and memory he revealed his true character without any effort at show or concealment, the prevailing thought of his life, happiness, that grew out of trust in God and a right life. There is a sweet sadness in thoughts of his life. He lived almost twenty-one years after the allotted three score years and ten and the hoary head was to him a crown of glory because he was found in the way of righteousness.
The funeral services were held at Cumberland Presbyterian church, the services being in charge of the pastor Rev. McKnight. The interment was at the family cemetery.
[March 10, 1898 Republican]
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Son of Peter and Deborah (DeMotte) Vannice
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