The second son of David McCance, he was born at Wellington Place, Belfast, on 2nd July 1843.  He went into the Army and was made Major in 3rd Battalion (Royal North Down Militia) Royal Irish Rifles on 27 May 1885, and Lt.Col. on 2nd Dec 1893.  He was a J.P. and County Councillor for Co. Down from 27th Jan 1880 and High Sherrif in 1890.  He married Margaret Davidson Harrison (b.1853), eldest daughter of Henry Harrison of Holywood House, Co. Down, on 24th Sep 1873.  They had three children, Elizabeth (1874), David (1876) and Henry (1885).  He died on 7th April 1922, and Margaret died on 18th Oct 1922.