Today in Wheeling History: June 26—James N. Vance Sr. dies in Wheeling and is buried in Greenwood Cemetery (1913).
James Nelson “Jet” Vance Sr. (1829–1913) became one of Wheeling’s most influential industrial leaders during the city’s rise as a national iron and steel center. Born on his family’s farm near the intersection of National Road and Bethany Pike, he attended local schools before entering the iron and hardware business on Monroe Street in 1853. His early success led to a partnership with O.C. Dewey and W.H. Russell, forming Dewey, Vance & Co., operators of the Wheeling Iron and Spike Works. The firm expanded significantly during the Civil War, supplying iron products essential to railroads and wartime industry.
Following the war, the company evolved into Riverside Iron Works, where Vance served as president for roughly twenty‑five years. Under his leadership, Riverside constructed major facilities in Benwood and Steubenville and installed West Virginia’s first Bessemer converter in 1884, a technological milestone that positioned the region as a competitive steel producer. Vance also became a prominent figure in Wheeling’s financial sector, serving as president of several banks and helping organize the Security Trust Company.
Deeply committed to civic and religious life, he funded the construction of Vance Memorial Presbyterian Church in honor of his parents. Vance died in Wheeling on June 26, 1913, and was buried in Greenwood Cemetery, leaving a legacy that shaped the city’s industrial, economic, and religious identity.
To learn more: Ohio County Public Library - Wheeling Hall of Fame: James Nelson Vance (https://tinyurl.com/3k8bdern), Ohio County Public Library - Vance Memorial Presbyterian Church (https://tinyurl.com/ms2utksj), Find a Grave - James Nelson "Jet" Vance Sr. (https://tinyurl.com/3ysf4yuv), National Currency Foundation - James Nelson Vance (https://tinyurl.com/3rtjknxh)
Today in Wheeling History: June 26—James N. Vance Sr. dies in Wheeling and is buried in Greenwood Cemetery (1913).
James Nelson “Jet” Vance Sr. (1829–1913) became one of Wheeling’s most influential industrial leaders during the city’s rise as a national iron and steel center. Born on his family’s farm near the intersection of National Road and Bethany Pike, he attended local schools before entering the iron and hardware business on Monroe Street in 1853. His early success led to a partnership with O.C. Dewey and W.H. Russell, forming Dewey, Vance & Co., operators of the Wheeling Iron and Spike Works. The firm expanded significantly during the Civil War, supplying iron products essential to railroads and wartime industry.
Following the war, the company evolved into Riverside Iron Works, where Vance served as president for roughly twenty‑five years. Under his leadership, Riverside constructed major facilities in Benwood and Steubenville and installed West Virginia’s first Bessemer converter in 1884, a technological milestone that positioned the region as a competitive steel producer. Vance also became a prominent figure in Wheeling’s financial sector, serving as president of several banks and helping organize the Security Trust Company.
Deeply committed to civic and religious life, he funded the construction of Vance Memorial Presbyterian Church in honor of his parents. Vance died in Wheeling on June 26, 1913, and was buried in Greenwood Cemetery, leaving a legacy that shaped the city’s industrial, economic, and religious identity.
To learn more: Ohio County Public Library - Wheeling Hall of Fame: James Nelson Vance (https://www.ohiocountylibrary.org/history/5446) (https://tinyurl.com/3k8bdern), Ohio County Public Library - Vance Memorial Presbyterian Church (https://www.ohiocountylibrary.org/history/vance-memorial-presbyterian-church/3680) (https://tinyurl.com/ms2utksj), Find a Grave - James Nelson "Jet" Vance Sr. (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/72018443/james-nelson-vance) (https://tinyurl.com/3ysf4yuv), National Currency Foundation - James Nelson Vance (http://www.nationalcurrencyfoundation.org/signature-James-Nelson-Vance-867) (https://tinyurl.com/3rtjknxh)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; Find a Grave, Wikimedia Commons
James Nelson “Jet” Vance Sr. (1829–1913) became one of Wheeling’s most influential industrial leaders during the city’s rise as a national iron and steel center. Born on his family’s farm near the intersection of National Road and Bethany Pike, he attended local schools before entering the iron and hardware business on Monroe Street in 1853. His early success led to a partnership with O.C. Dewey and W.H. Russell, forming Dewey, Vance & Co., operators of the Wheeling Iron and Spike Works. The firm expanded significantly during the Civil War, supplying iron products essential to railroads and wartime industry.
Following the war, the company evolved into Riverside Iron Works, where Vance served as president for roughly twenty‑five years. Under his leadership, Riverside constructed major facilities in Benwood and Steubenville and installed West Virginia’s first Bessemer converter in 1884, a technological milestone that positioned the region as a competitive steel producer. Vance also became a prominent figure in Wheeling’s financial sector, serving as president of several banks and helping organize the Security Trust Company.
Deeply committed to civic and religious life, he funded the construction of Vance Memorial Presbyterian Church in honor of his parents. Vance died in Wheeling on June 26, 1913, and was buried in Greenwood Cemetery, leaving a legacy that shaped the city’s industrial, economic, and religious identity.
To learn more: Ohio County Public Library - Wheeling Hall of Fame: James Nelson Vance (https://tinyurl.com/3k8bdern), Ohio County Public Library - Vance Memorial Presbyterian Church (https://tinyurl.com/ms2utksj), Find a Grave - James Nelson "Jet" Vance Sr. (https://tinyurl.com/3ysf4yuv), National Currency Foundation - James Nelson Vance (https://tinyurl.com/3rtjknxh)
Today in Wheeling History: June 26—James N. Vance Sr. dies in Wheeling and is buried in Greenwood Cemetery (1913).
James Nelson “Jet” Vance Sr. (1829–1913) became one of Wheeling’s most influential industrial leaders during the city’s rise as a national iron and steel center. Born on his family’s farm near the intersection of National Road and Bethany Pike, he attended local schools before entering the iron and hardware business on Monroe Street in 1853. His early success led to a partnership with O.C. Dewey and W.H. Russell, forming Dewey, Vance & Co., operators of the Wheeling Iron and Spike Works. The firm expanded significantly during the Civil War, supplying iron products essential to railroads and wartime industry.
Following the war, the company evolved into Riverside Iron Works, where Vance served as president for roughly twenty‑five years. Under his leadership, Riverside constructed major facilities in Benwood and Steubenville and installed West Virginia’s first Bessemer converter in 1884, a technological milestone that positioned the region as a competitive steel producer. Vance also became a prominent figure in Wheeling’s financial sector, serving as president of several banks and helping organize the Security Trust Company.
Deeply committed to civic and religious life, he funded the construction of Vance Memorial Presbyterian Church in honor of his parents. Vance died in Wheeling on June 26, 1913, and was buried in Greenwood Cemetery, leaving a legacy that shaped the city’s industrial, economic, and religious identity.
To learn more: Ohio County Public Library - Wheeling Hall of Fame: James Nelson Vance (https://www.ohiocountylibrary.org/history/5446) (https://tinyurl.com/3k8bdern), Ohio County Public Library - Vance Memorial Presbyterian Church (https://www.ohiocountylibrary.org/history/vance-memorial-presbyterian-church/3680) (https://tinyurl.com/ms2utksj), Find a Grave - James Nelson "Jet" Vance Sr. (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/72018443/james-nelson-vance) (https://tinyurl.com/3ysf4yuv), National Currency Foundation - James Nelson Vance (http://www.nationalcurrencyfoundation.org/signature-James-Nelson-Vance-867) (https://tinyurl.com/3rtjknxh)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; Find a Grave, Wikimedia Commons
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