New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-03-02

William II. Lyon is descended from NcW-EnS-
land ancestors and the first representative OF the
family came to this country more than $50 years
ago He was born AT Holland. Mass, on October -.
1919. At the age of fourteen he left home for
school. going TO Hartford, with the purpose of
preparing himself TO study law. But this in
tention was changed and few years later he was
teaching school in Wayne County y. Y While
principal of the Clyde High School he became
greatly interested in Professor MorSc's first
telegraph and devoted some time TO an invention
10 adapt IL to writing and printing. In lsij he
turned his attention 10 mercantile pursuits and
came 10 New-Iork where he embarked in the
wholesale dry goods trade. Two years later be
began the importation Of fancy goods and what
were then called Yankee notions. While the
Revolution OF lSls was in progress IN France he
was abroad and WAS the first American to visit
Paris after peace was proclaimed lie found an
opportunity TO buy goods nj low prices and
avaicd himself Of it 10 establish business relations
which still continue. Ills business house has
followed the movements Of the centre Of whole.
sale trade in downtown Ncw-York. being sue
ccssivcly established in Pearl, Dey and Cortland
sis. and finally in Broadway at 40 37l. in 1854.
Since 1870. however the firm Of William II. Lyon
4 Co. has occupied the large building at Nos.
4S3 and 3sj Broadway.
Chamber Of Commerce and he is honorrd and
esteemed by n wide circle Of business men. When
President Grant desired 10 appoint two eminent
Ncw-York merchants on the Board Of Indian Com
misSiOncrS composed Of ten men Of public spirit
and philanthropy. who gave their tim. and zeal
without pay 10 amcliora'Ing the condition II the
Indian tribes by promoting civilization and on
couraging education and efforts at selfsupport.
the late William f. Dodge and William II. Lyon
were selected by Secretary Chandler. Mr.. Lyon
was made one Of the Purchasing Committee OF
Indian supplies, and devoted the same close at
tention 10 these duties as had characterized him
in his conduct OF his private affairs. He aimed
TO procure the best goods AT the lowest prices
and got rid of the contractors who thought
anything was good enough for the Indians and
secured competition from the best dealers for
supplying goods. After reforming the methods
in the Indian warehouse in New York he visited
Chicago. st. Louis, 81. Paul and San Francisco
and introduced the business dealing in those |
places He aided largely in the efforts of the !
Board TO secure justice for the rcdmcn, and 10
give them good schools and industrial education. |
In his efforts 10 discharge the full duties of his
Office Mr.. Lyon spent several summers in |
visiting the various Indian tribes on several |
reservations, including the Chippcwas Sioux. |
Mandans, Poncas, utcs, BannocSs. Piutcs and |
Crows, and carefully studied their circumstances
and conditions The results of this study were
embodied in his work in the important Office he
filled with fidelity for eight years.
Mr. Lyon has long been an active Republican |
in politics, but has stcadfastly refused 10 be an
ofIiccseeller. In his absence in the West attending
10 his duties as Indian Commissioner. he !
nominated for Congress in the District in which |
lie lives in 1873. AS there Is an overwhelming |
Democratic majority in the District ne had no |
expectation of election, but he reduced the usual |
ma jOrity for his opponent by onc.half. In the |
I al lc rl
for Mayor. but defeated for the nomination
by Franklin Woodruff, who was defeated at the
polls Mr.. Lyons friends believe that he would |
have been elected had he been the candidate
In 1881 he refused 10 permit the use Of his name
as candidate for Mayor, and he has since pre-.
in public Affairs But he has continued su " to be-
identified with the Republican Association OF
the ty:fourth Ward. and one Of his sons,
who bears his fathers name, is now the president
Of that body.
Mr.. Lyon and his family occupy a handsome
house with extensive grounds NJ No, | 20 New
York-ave., in the Ocean Hill region of the city.
Among their ncighbors liz this fine residence
quarter are Major f., II: Hobbs Judge Calvin
mons. Henry IIcntz, John w Hutchinson w =
Covn, Ethan Allen Doty and l.. A. Parsons
Mr.. Lyon is identified with the Ncw,YcrI Avenue
the handsomest cdilcc In that denomination on
Long Island not far from his home. He is one Of
the cOrp0ratOrs and active members Of the New
England Society Of Brooklyn director of the
Long Island Historical Society. member of the
oxford and the Union League Clubs. and assocaf-
ed with tho management Of "a number of the
institutions OF the city. lie has aided the devcl-
opcment Of the part of the city in which he lives
by the erection of number Of fine houses and
the promotion of all projects for the public GOOD
In addition to his property interests in Brook
Ign. and New-iork Mr. Lyon has devoted con
siderable attention to the development Of Lake
City, on Lake Pepin MINI, where the principal
street is called Lyon-avc, and he also owns real
estate IN other parts OF Minnesota In personal
appearance he is commanding, being tall. portly
Of
and ten he walks crcctly and sturdily and save
for his whitcned hair he shows no sign OF age
His manner is frank and candid and he has many
friends. His advice and counsel are sought i'm
business political social and church matters
and his opinion is deferred 10 many important
subjects
ROBBIyG GRAVES OF THEIR FLOwERs.