Biography of Wilson S. Dancer, pages 648 / 649.  History of De Kalb County, 
Indiana.  Inter-State Publishing Company, Chicago, 1885.

Wilson S. Dancer, son of John G. and Margaret Dancer, was born in Ashland 
County, Ohio, Oct. 9, 1842.  In 1848 his parents came to De Kalb County, and 
kept the old Parsons Hotel in Auburn the first year; then bought 240 acres 
of heavily timbered land in Jackson Township, on section 20.  His father was 
born in Washington County, Pa., April 26, 1802, and his wife, Margaret Boyce, 
in New York, April 12, of the same year.  They were married in Ohio, July 10, 
1823.  Mr. Dancer was a man of strict integrity, highly intellectual and a 
prominent citizen of the county.  His wife died April 29, 1869, and he July 
20, 1873.  They had a family of nine children---Elizabeth married John 
Duncan, who died in Ohio, and is now the widow of William Essig; John, a 
physician of Lagrange County, Ind.; William, a physician, who came to 
Indiana in 1846 and practiced in Auburn till his death; Elias went to 
Vermillion County, Ill., and there married, and enlisted in Company I, One 
Hundred and Twenty-fifth Illinois Infantry, and died in 1863.  Mary, wife 
of George Moore, of Big Rapids, Mich.; Sarah Ann, wife of Theodore Shepard, 
of Lagrange, Ind,; Elijah died in Ohio, Jan. 9, 1848, aged twenty-two years; 
Wilson S.; James died in 1850.  Wilson S. Dancer was six years of age when 
his parents came to De Kalb County, in his recollections of early advantages 
he says he was nine years of age when he was first enabled to attend school, 
which was taught by Samuel Cornell.  He made the best of his limited opportunities 
and obtained a good business education.  He was married Jan. 1, 1865, to Nora A., 
daughter of Thomas and Ellen Rowley. She died Jul 1, 1878, leaving six children---
John, James, Jessie, Charles R. Virdie and  infant Harry D., who died the 24th of 
the same month.  All save James are living with their father.  March 11, 1880, 
Mr. Dancer married Mary E. Cool, who was born Aug. 18, 1855, a daughter of 
John and Sarah Cool.   Mr. Dancer is one of the most honored citizens of 
Jackson Township.  In politics he is a Democrat, and has been elected by 
his party to several positions of trust.  He owns 115 acres of land on 
section 20, which is part of his father’s homestead.

Submitted by:
Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
Agoodwin@ctlnet.com