Biography

The deceased arrived in W.A. about 12 years before, to spend the remainder of his days with his son, Mr. John Dance, jnr., who has been established in business at Yarrie for the past 20 years. The late Mr. Dance possessed a robust constitution, enjoying splendid health throughout his long life up to a few hours before his death. On Saturday evening, he complained of feeling unwell and rapidly became worse, expiring in a couple of hours. His remains were conveyed by motor to Kookynie, where the funeral took place on Monday evening. A large number of friends were present at the graveside. An inquest into the death of Mr Dance was not deemed to be necessary and burial was ordered by the Acting Coroner, J.E. Geary, on 6 February 1922. He is buried in the non-conformist section of the Kookynie Cemetery.

The deceased's father, Edward Dance, was born about 1807 in Herefordshire, England. He married Mary Ann Thomas on 16 July 1836 in Gloucestershire, where she was born about 1811. John was the eldest of their four boys and two girls. The others were: Harriet born 1841; George born 1843; David born 1845; Thomas born 1847; Mary Ann born 1850. Their mother died on 12 January 1879 and their father 1 October 1883, both in Gloucestershire. Some family members report that John was married three times but a first marriage to Zipporah Webb in 1861 has not been confirmed. There may have been a child, Anne, born to that union. The deceased's Death Certificate reports that his marriage to Sarah Evans took place in England and the second marriage, to Margaret Hamilton, was in America. Again, neither of these marriages have been confirmed. No records have been found confirming that Mr Dance travelled to America at any time.