HENRY B. HERMANCE, insurance and real-estate agent, and
dealer in agricultural implements at Murray, was born in Litchfield County,
Connecticut, February 13, 1830, his father, James Hermance, who is now
deceased, being a native of Kinderhook, New York, and a wagon maker by trade.
At the age of fifteen years, our subject began learning the machinist’s trade in Guilford,
Connecticut, which he made the principal avocation of his life till 1885. He
went to Cleveland, Ohio, in September, 1856, thence to Cuyahoga Falls,
and other places, subsequently locating in Salem, Ohio, where he lived till
1872. He was married October 25, 1857,
to Elizabeth A. McCave, a daughter of Daniel McCave. They have seven children –
Ivy C., Alice E., Mary M, Carrie A., Henry A., Charles E. and Cora M. During the late war Mr. Hermance enlisted in
Company H, Nineteenth Ohio Infantry, and served over three years. He
participated in the battles of Rich Mountain, Shiloh, Stone River, Kennesaw
Mountain, through the Atlanta campaign, the battles of Franklin, Nashville, and
other minor engagements. He was on detached service much of the time, acting as
scout and spy, and once was taken prisoner, but by the aid of a friendly rebel
he succeeded in making good his escape. In
1872 Mr. Hermance left Salem and located in Alliance, Ohio, and in 1874 came to
Murray, Clarke County, Iowa, where he has since made his home. Since coming to
this county he has held the office of justice of the peace for five years, and
is at present notary public and township clerk. He is a member of the Masonic
fraternity, and a comrade of the Grand Army post. In politics he affiliates
with the Republican party.
SOURCE: Biographical and Historical Record of Clarke County,
Iowa, Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois, 1886 p. 363-4
