Thomas C. Hance
April 23, 1876-Oct. 5, 1930
Niles Daily Star, Monday, October 6, 1930, page 1, col. 1, cont. page 2, microfilm Niles District Library
THOMAS C. HANCE, FORMER POSTMASTER AND MAYOR, IS DEAD
Cashier of city National Bank and Trust Co., Passes Away Sunday Night
WAS ILL SEVERAL MONTHS
Attack of Influenza Recently Found His Health Undermined
The community was shocked by news of the death at 10:30 o'clock last night of Thomas C. Hance, cashier and trust officer of the City National Bank & Trust company, former postmaster and mayor andone of the best known and liked citizens of Niles.
Mr. Hance died in Pawating hospital where he was taken on Monday of last week when his condition became serious after an illness of several months. The immediate cause of death was Brights disease and complications. Following the retirement from the mayor's office last April he was stricken with a nervous breakdown and was ordered by his physician to take a complete rest for several months. He had declined renomination because of pres of business duties and ill health.
During the summer Mr. Hance spent most of his enforced rest at Barron lake, often going fishing. He occasionally went to the bank and about three weeks ago attempted to resume his duties as cashier and trust officer. After a few hours work at the bank each day for a few days he was again compelled to take complete rest. He had contracted a cold which developed into influenza and heart trouble. He condition became rapidly worse until he went to the hospital.
While it was known that his condition was critical his death came as a distinct shock to a host of friends and business associates. His loss is mourned by the entire community. His passing is considered a distinct and irreparable loss to this community. Always a public spirited citizen, he had long taken part in the public life of the community and was always ready to sacrifice his time and energies for the public welfare.
His efforts to serve well as mayor during the two years of his term is believed to have contributed materially to Mr. Hance breakdown. He accepted the nomination with great reluctance two years ago last march, and he was elected in a landslide of votes, that was a high testimonial to the esteem in which he was held by his fellow citizens.
Born on a farm a mile and a half west of Niles, the son of the late Benjamin M. and Georgia Smith DeCondres Hance, he was a lifelong resident of the Niles community, although are for 16 years while the filling the post of secretary to the late Congressman E.L. Hamilton. Mr. Hance was born April 23, 1876. He was an only child.
Mr. Hance spent practically all his adult life in Public and quasi-public service, including a four-year term as Niles postmaster. He was graduated from the Niles High school in 1894 and the next year attended the University of Minnesota. In 1906 he went to Washington as secretary to Congressman Hamilton and spent 16 years at the capital.
Three years after taking the Washington appointment he was married to Genevieve Corell, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George A. Corell, also a pioneer family who reside on the old Chicago road west of Niles. The Hance family was widely known in this section. The elder Hance was a vineyardist whose grapes became so well known that “Hance grapes” were in demand. The farm was located on the ridge section west a mile and half, which was known as “Vinegar Hill,” because so much vinegar was made from the grape crop there.
Mr. Hance served with Congressman Hamilton until late in 1911, when his accepted appointment of the postmastership of Niles on Dec. 30, becoming the twenty-first postmaster of this city and following Carmi R. Smith who had been postmaster from 1903 to 1912. Mr. Hance was succeeded by F.W. Richter, appointed under the democratic administration of Woodrow Wilson.
During the time that he was secretary to Congressman Hamilton, Mr. Hance was in close touch with national affairs. He was clerk of the congressional committee on territories in the year in which Arizona and New Mexico were admitted to statehood and wrote the bill which admitted Arizona.
[Illegible]. . . and known as the Niles City Bank, in January 1916, succeeding George L. Faurote. He held the position of cashier until his death. He was elected a director in 1918, and two years ago when the bank was converted into a national bank, with addition of a trust department and change of name to City National Bank & Trust company, he was given the added post of trust office.
To the marriage union were born three children, all of whom, with the widow, survive. They are Ben. M. Hance of Niles; Mrs. Allen Belknap of Chicago and Mrs. Jack Rabe of Dowagiac. Mrs. Rabe is the wife of the athletic coach of the Dowagiac High school. Also four grandchildren survive, Thomas C. Hance II and Mary Ann Hance and Diane Rabe and Ann Rabe.
Mr. Hance was a lifetime churchman and for many years been a elder and treasurer of the board of trustees of the First Presbyterian church. For many years he had been teacher of the What-So-Ever Sunday school class. He was a Mason, an Elk and a member of the Knights of Pythias in the Masons. He was treasurer of [illegible] Chapter, member of the Council and a past emminent[sic] commander of the Commandery. He joined the Elks two years ago when a large class was taken in on completion of the new temple.
During the last three years Mr. Hance was a member of an informal club of Mah Jong players, four in number and all lifelong friends who met every Monday night in winter to play. The other members were Circuit Judge Charles E. White, Floyd J. Wood and C.M. Montague. Twice each season the tally was counted the losing two paid for dinner for the winners.
The funeral will be held at 2 o'clock Tuesday from the Presbyterian church, with the Rev. Guy W. Simon, pastor and close friend of Mr. Hance, officiating. The body will lie in state at the church from 11:30 until 1:45 o'clock. Pallbearers will be Judge C.E. White, Floyd J. Wood,J. Walter Wood, Dr. L.G.Platt, Dr. Paul VanRiper of Champion, Mich., and Dr. Robert Henderson. Burial will be in Silver Brook Cemetery.
Among persons who will come from out of town will be Dr. and Mrs. Paul VanRiper of Champion,Mich., Mr. and Mrs. H.B. Corell of Lansing and Mrs. Jas. McGee of Flint.