Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1876-09-07
HENRY w. ALLISON,
Sec'y Gallia Co. Council.
In MemOriam

LANGLEY-On Tuesday. August 29th died
William ii. langley; a man well known through
out this section of Ohio. The loss of such man
to the community is not so severely felt, at a
time so close to his decease, as it will be in the
future. He was an active, stirring and ener-
getic man, and one possessed of much public
spirit and enterprise. Far sighted, clear in his
judgments, well versed in human nature and
possessed of dogged determination to carry
out his projects, when once convinced they were
right. His place will be difficult to fill by anoth-
er. A more honorable or upright person it has
seldom been my lot to meet. Scorning what was
wrong, mean, Or dishonest. simply because il
was so, he pursued his way undeviatingly.
guided alone by his fine sense of Justice and
moral rectitude-a man of strong convictions
In the position lie held before the public during
the last few years of his life. he naturally gave
he was never heard to speak otherwise than re
spectfully, and even kindly, of his most de-
termined opponents.
Becoming involved in pecuniary difficulties.
some years ago. he failed in business and was
unable to meet his engagements; yet those to
whom he was indebted. without a dissenting
voice, bear the strongest testimony to his hon.
esty and strict integrity. Where can we look
for better evidence. or stronger endorseme mt
of his long and active career, than from those
who (being his creditors) would certainly seem
to be in position to pass judgment on his pro-
bity better than any others could do.
The last few years Of his life were spent in
building the Gallipolis, Macarthur and Column
bus B. This had become afavorite project Of
times when all seemed 70 be lost and no ray OF
encouragement could be discerned, he never
faltered in his work or wavered in his faith, but
pushed on diligently, laboriously. and with a
courage that no disappointment could quell lat
times without the hope OF fee or reward) work
ing day and night, in winter and in summer un-
til in the service Of the company he contracted
the disease which brought him to his death bed
Weary, worn down in body, Frustrated by sick
ness, lighting death to the last; he labored still
to accomplish his work and died with harness
on. lie lived long enough to see his work es-
tablshed on q basis of sure and speedy success,
and to find his efforts endorsed and justified by
the large vote OF stockholders at the recent
meeting, and then died, like Moses. in full view
of the promised land he had toiled to reach,
though not permitted to enter 1t. Shakespeare
says:
'The evil that men do lives after them; the
good is oft inferred with their boues.''
But now. lying in his grave, let us hope the
tongue OF calumny may cease. and that he may
be remembered only by the priceless benefits he
has conferred on this community by his untiring
land let us hope successfully efforts to complete q
work that will live forever q monument TO his
wisdom and an inestimable boon to those that
live after him. shame fall the one who remem-
bers aught but his virtues and forgets not his
faults. past all harm from envy, malice, or de-
traction.
aAfter life's itful fever ne sleeps well.n
r. r.