"Governor" P. Y. Lorance (Biography)

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The Citizen
Wednesday, September 13, 1939

(Extracted from the very lengthy article "Pioneer Days)

P.Y. Lorance was one of the early residents of Elk County.  He selected two claims just east of Elk Falls, one for his brother William and one for himself, February 18, 1868.  He built a cabin on his claim that summer and began permanent settlement the next spring and has lived continously in Elk County since that time.  His brother William died in 1871.

Mr. Lorance was born in Indiana and moved with his parents to Iola, Kansas in 1867.  He was married when a very young man, his first wife living only a few months.  He was not of age when he settled on his claim, but was large and had no trouble to make people think he was.  His claim was jumped three different times but he had no particular trouble in persuading the jumpers that the climate was more salubrious somewhere else.  Among his early neighbors were Chas. S. King, R. E. Roberts, I. N. Bird, G. W. Roberts, and others soon followed.  The nearest trading place was New Albany and from there the early settlers hauled their meal.  Money was scarce, but game was plentiful and there was always "something doing" to keep one interested.

There was considerable trouble over claims, but most of the difficulties were settled without bloodshed.  Mr. Lorance distinctly remembered the trouble wherein the Anders brothers and Fletcher lost their lives.  This difficulty occurred two or three miles west of Mr. Lorance's home and created a great deal of excitement at that time.  Lorance went with the prisoner, Hall, the constable and a number of neighbors to Greenwood county where Hall's preliminary examination was held.  Mr. Lorance said the sympathy of all was with Hall, and that all were glad when the justice turned him loose.  It was his opinion that if the result of the hearing had been otherwise, Hall would have escaped on a fast horse that was close at hand for an emergency of this kind.

Governor Lorance was a factor in the early day affairs of Elk County, and there was no political, or rather county seat contest (as everything in the early days was influenced by one's leaning for or against the different towns of the county) that he was not one one side or the other.  The law of those days was enforced principally by a determination of the settlers to see that right and justice existed, and some time vigorous but just measures were used to convince the outlaws that it would be better for all concerned if they would move on.  And the citizenship was of that determined character that is was not hard to convince evildoers that Howard county was not a place where they could safely work there schemes, and they moved on.

Govenor Lorance and many of the old settlers could have told of things that would be very interesting and create a sensation, if written up, and they would not need to step outside of the truth, but often it is better to let some things of the past die.

Mr. Lorance lived on his Elk river farm until about 1876, when he purchased a farm six miles north of Howard in Paw Paw township.  Mr. Lorance acquired the title of "Governor of Paw Paw" many years ago because of his influence as a Republican in the affairs of his township.

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In some census records he is listed as "Philip" while in others, he is down as "Phelix."  In the 1900, 1910, and 1920 census' he is married and has a number of children.  In the 1920 census, he and his family are listed as living at the Elk County Poor Farm.  His age is 71, and there is a grandson living with them.

His daughter, Maude, married Alonzo McBride (see wedding story on Lorance-McBride)