Charles W. Vance - was born in Wheeling, Ohio Co., W.Va., in the year 1858. Robert A. Vance was born in 1855. They are the sons of Robert and Harriet (McAully) Vance, old citizens of Wheeling, and highly respected members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Robert Vance, Sr., was born at Little Beaver, Penn., about the year 1818. He was a heater in the rolling mill. He enlisted in Company K, First West Virginia cavalry, in September, 1861, and served until the close of the war. He was honorably discharged at Wheeling. He did much scouting and hard marching, and was in all the engagements in which his company participated. Harriet (McAully) Vance, was born in England in the year 1823, and came to the the United States when seven years old. She was the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Asbeens) McAully, natives of England, who emigrated to this country in 1830 and settled at Pittsburgh, Penn., where the father died at the age of seventy-six. The mother is still living at the advanced age of ninety years and has remarkably good health for one of her extreme age. The grandfather of our subject, James McAully, was born in Ireland, but was soon taken to England where he lived and died. He was a weaver of fine carpets. Andrew Vance, the paternal grandfather, married Sarah Wright, and soon after settled at Beaver, Penn. They were Quakers. Andrew was a soldier in the war of 1812. His father was of Scotch-Irish birth, and also a member of the Society of Friends. Charles Vance was one of a family of seven children: Harriet, who married J. W. Davis, of Benwood; George W., married Anne Askin, of Illinois; Sarah E., deceased; Marietta married J. F. B. Wilson; Carrie married W. E. Pelly, and is now a member of the firm of Vance Bros., merchants of Benwood, W.Va. Charles Vance began life for himself at a very early age by working in the iron mills of the city, and remained in this pursuit for about thirteen years, when he formed a partnership with his brother and embarked in the mercantile business. They now operate a large retail dry goods and grocery business. Charles Vance is a member of the I.O.O.F. Both members of the firm are considered as among the substantial business men of the city, they having gained an enviable reputation for integrity and enterprise.