Watertown Daily Times, April 13, 1872

The Oldest Man in Jefferson County

McCoy Lance - 1768-1872. The subject of this sketch is a native of Poland. He was born in Oct., 1768, making this the 104th birthday of his existence. Even at this unusual old age his memory of early days is quite correct. He says he never performed a day's work until his 21st birthday. Shortly have becoming of age he was married to one of his own native "lasses" with whom he lived until he was 27 years old.

At that time he was pressed into the Austrian army to fight against Bonaparte. He never saw or heard anything of his family after being pressed into the army. He was taken prisoner by Bonaparte and afterwards sent to fight the Spaniards under Bonaparte's command. As he did not regard his oath of allegiance to Bonaparte of much account, he deserted and went over to the Spaniards, and immediately joined the Spanish army to fight against his former commander.

The Spaniards afterwards sold him to a British officer, by whom he was sent to Canada to take part in the War of 1812. He with 16 British soldiers were stationed to guard one of the islands in the St. Lawrence, when a thought betook them that this was the time to make their escape to the U.S.A., which they did. This was in 1813, since which time he has been a resident of this State, and most of the time of this county.

In the year 1820 he married the widow Rickard, and raised a family of eight children - three boys and five girls - all of whom venerate and strive to make happy the remarkable man, to whom they owe many obligations.

Although he has attained this unusual old age, he is still smart, being able to ride on last town meeting day ten miles to take a part in the election of town officers. He seems to take considerable interest in his son's affairs, often enquiring after "matters and things" which he fears have been neglected. The death of his grandson, Anson Lance, to whom he was firmly attached, was to him a sad affair, and one to which he cannot allude to without shedding tears. He is surrounded by his children of the second and third generation, many of whom are among our most respected citizens.

At the present time he resides with his son - Peter Lance - on Point Peninsula, who does everything possible to make the last days of his father his happiest. Of course the old gentleman is a pattern of temperance, frugality and regularity, and these habits date back to early youth. W.A.L.

Typist’s Note: This piece was sent to me by researcher, Richard Palmer.