Vance - Fred Nelson - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

Fredrick Nelson Vance, a member of the Brown County Art Colony, died very suddenly at his home on North Van Buren Street Tuesday night. Mrs. Vance is teaching school in Indianapolis and a Mr. Ericson, another artist, was living with Mr. Vance. About 9 o’clock Fred went to his bedroom and fell suddenly to the floor. Ericson rushed to him and then called help. Carl-Graf and V. Cariani, artists were both at the Goth home adjoining and they hurried to the Vance home. A physician was called but Mr. Vance lived only a few minutes after his arrival. Death came within 15 minutes after the artist was attacked. He had been in apparent good health and had been out in town during the day. Mr. Vance was 46 years of age and veteran of the World War during which he was engaged as an interpreter because of his knowledge of the French language. About three years ago he and his wife moved to Nashville. They had just recently completed a fine residence and studio. Early in life Mr. Vance gained a reputation as a mural decorator and was associated with his father, George Vance in mural decorating work for a number of years. He received his art education at the Art Academy of Chicago and in Paris.  Mr. Vance acted as president of the Francais, a French society of Indianapolis for two years and presided at the meeting where the daughter of Clemenceau, the Tiger of France was present during the campaign for election of president of France.  In recent years Mr. Vance’s paintings have attracted much attention and he won three prizes at the last Indiana State Fair – one being first for the best landscape painting in oil. He conducted an art show at the Pettis Gallery in Indianapolis in 1925 and later made a successful exhibit at the Hoosier Art Salon in Chicago.  He formerly was secretary of the Indiana Artists’ Club.  Mr. and Mrs. Vance have a fine home at 2014 Broadway, Indianapolis and Mrs. Vance has been living there during the school season, while teaching in School 57 in Irvington. Besides the widow he is survived by his mother, Mrs. George Vance of Crawfordsville.   Funeral services and burial will be at Crawfordsville Friday where the body was taken Wednesday.