WILSON VANZANT, farmer, stone and brick mason, plain and ornamental plasterer, and manufacturer of artificial stone; P. O. Allen's, was born in Bucks Co., Penn., Nov. 20, 1834, and is a son of John and Frances (Rooks) Vanzant, both natives of New Jersey; they emigrated from Pennsylvania to Ohio in 1838, locating in Johnson Township, Champaign Co., where John passed from the stage of life. Frances married for her second husband James H. George; since 1872 they have been located in Lena, where she was left a window the second time, in 1878, and still resides, at the age of 69; the children of John and Frances Vanzant were three in number, viz., Catherine (now deceased), George W. (now a practical physician in Rockford, Winnebago Co., Ill.), and our subject, who is the youngest. he was brought up to agricultural pursuits, and received a limited education; at the age of 18 he learned the trade of plasterer, which he has followed for several years, and is known far and wide as a reliable and successful mechanic; in connection with the plastering, he is a known stone and brick mason, also a manufacturer of artificial stone, which is made by a chemical process, and has been shown by service and chemists to be far superior to any sandstone yet found; this chemical stone is found very useful in trimming brick buildings and walks; flower vases of any designs are made by W. Vanzant; since 1868, he has been the owner of 80 acres of land in Sec. 6, Brown Township, Miami Co., where he resides. September, 1863, he married Miss Mary Merritt, who was born in Brown Township, Miami Co.; they have three children, viz., William A., Elmer E. and Minnie H. Mrs. Vanzant is a daughter of Joseph and Anna Merritt.