Son of Jacob Lance and Mary Jane Marsh

Husband of Mahala Melvina Love Lance, married 24 Jul 1873 in Midway, Wasatch, Utah

Orson Hyde Lance was born in Council Bluffs, or Kanesville, Pottowattomme Co., Iowa, sometimes referred to as Winter Quarters, on 27 Nov 1850. He was the second son and third child of Jacob Lance & Mary Jane Marsh. His parents were among the Saints driven from their homes in Nauvoo and who crossed the Missouri River on the ferry in Sept. 1846.

Orson was less than two years old when they arrived in the valley of the Great Salt Lake. They moved to Midway in the spring of 1860. Midway was then called Mound City. In Midway, Orson herded cows in open fields and he says that many times he had only cornbreads and watercress for his lunch. He worked in the timber in the mountains. Orson, together with his friend, Kasper Ulser, worked on the railroad during the Union of the Central Pacific Locomotive, Jupiter, and the Union Pacific Locomotive #119. They were there on the 10th of May 1869 when the "Golden Spike" was driven, joining the two railroads.

Orson married Mahala Melvina Love, on 24 July 1873 in Midway, Wasatch Co., Utah. They later were endowed and sealed in the old Endowment House on Temple Square, in Salt Lake City, Utah on 28 November 1878, while living in Midway where they owned 40 acres of farming.

Orson Hyde was a very faithful man in his faith and to the authorities of the church and was willing to leave home and help settle communities whenever he was called to do so. At the October conference of 1880, Orson and his family along with others were called on a mission to St. John, Apache Co., Arizona by President Brigham Young with their four children. They left Midway on 14 Sept 1881. Melivna's parents, Charles Henry Love and his family were also called at the same time, and they all traveled together. There were 70 families there when they reached St. John. There were many battles in the town between the Mexicans and the cattlemen.

Orson Hyde Lance's family were released and returned to their home in Midway, in the spring of 1887. In 1888, they decided to return to Arizona. They went from there to Giles, Wayne Co., Utah instead of going on to Arizona. Orson's half-brother, Cornelius White had a home and orchard in Blue Valley, (Giles). It was called Blue Valley because of the hills and sky seemed to meet in one large spectrum of blue. Orson built his home from Cottonwood trees on the south side of the river at the upper end of the valley. Orson loved to farm and he planted and grew almost every kind of grain and vegetable.

In 1906, Orson Hyde Lance moved his family from Giles to Duchesne, where he could have more cattle. He loved being a cattleman. Orson & Mahala lived in Duchesne for 20 years. They remain faithful members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They loved the Gospel and their family was often blessed. Mahala made temple aprons for members in the different wards where they lived and for the Relief Society. And, Orson, "In Duchesne, I was a Ward Teacher for 20 years. After the family was raised, all of the children were active in the Church and had homes of their own, and Orson & Mahala moved to Greenriver, Emery Co., Utah where some of the family lived.

On 6 June 1940, Mahala Melvina Love Lance died, nearly 85 years of age, in her home at Green River. On 1 January 1941, Orson Hyde Lance died, 91 years of age, at his daughter Elvira's home in Green River. Both are buried in the Midway Cemetery, Midway, Wasatch Co., Utah.