Robert Johnstone VANCE, Congress, CT (1854-1902)

VANCE Robert Johnstone , a Representative from Connecticut; born in New York City, March 15, 1854; attended the common schools; moved to New Britain, Conn., in 1870; attended the high school; city clerk of New Britain from 1878 until his resignation in 1887, having been elected a Representative; became editor and publisher of the New Britain Herald in 1881; member of the State house of representatives in 1886; elected as a Democrat to the Fiftieth Congress (March 4, 1887-March 3, 1889); unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1888 to the Fifty-first Congress; resumed his former business pursuits; labor commissioner of Connecticut 1893-1895; mayor of New Britain, Conn., in 1896 and 1897; delegate to the State constitutional convention in 1902; died in Montreat, N.C., June 15, 1902; interment in Fairview Cemetery, New Britain, Conn.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present