VANCE, Robert Brank, (uncle of Robert Brank Vance [1828-1899] and Zebulon Baird Vance), a Representative from North Carolina; born on Reems Creek, near Asheville, Buncombe County, N.C., in 1793; attended the common schools and Newton Academy, Asheville, N.C.; studied medicine at the medical school of Dr. Charles Harris in Cabarrus County, N.C.; commenced the practice of medicine in Asheville, N.C., in 1818; held several local offices; elected to the Eighteenth Congress (March 4, 1823-March 3, 1825); unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1824 to the Nineteenth Congress and for election in 1826 to the Twentieth Congress; was mortally wounded by Hon. Samuel P. Carson, the successful candidate, who challenged him to a duel, fought at Saluda Gap, N.C., because of a derogatory remark made during the campaign of 1826, to the effect that the latter’s father had turned Tory during the Revolutionary War; died the following day near Saluda Gap, N.C., 1827; interment in the family burial ground on Reems Creek, near Asheville, N.C.
(Source: Biographical Directory of the United States 1774-present.)