Was born in Callaway County, Missouri, January 1837. His parents, Allen Nance and Polly Nance, nee Wade, were both natives of Bedford County, Virginia, but migrated to Missouri in 1836. His father is still a resident of the same township, in the eighty-first year of his age. His mother was one of eleven daughters who all grew up to womanhood and had families of their own; she died in 1879. Charles was educated at the common schools, having had an opportunity of attending the same for six months; the rest of his youthful days were spent working on a farm. In 1860 he spent some time in Colorado, and then returned and for a time cared for a brother-in-law’s family and farm while lie was engaged in the Civil War, and was afterward engaged in dealing in stock. On January 14th, 1864, he married Miss Nancy J. Smith. She was a daughter of William and Amanda Smith, both natives of Kentucky, but early settlers in Missouri.
Mrs. Nance died January 16, 1871, and October 14, 1873, Mr. Nance married Miss Vitura A. Davis, a native of Randolph County, Missouri. She was the daughter of Josiah and Polly Davis, both natives of Kentucky.
Mr. Nance has made all he possesses by hard labor and care; he owns 140 acres of what is known as the model farm of Marion Township. He has a line residence and orchard and every convenience_ about his home. He is extensively known over the county and bears an enviable reputation.