The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-10-13

The death OF Mr.. A. c. Lanier, Of Mad
ison. removes the last male representa-
tive in this State of a family whose
connection with the commercial and So
ciaI life of Indiana for three-quarters of
a century was conspicuously honorable.
Madison is one Of the Oldest towns in
the State. having been first settled I'm
1905. 1t was a thriving village before
indianapolis was laid out. and a pros
porous little city while the capital was
still a struggling village With river
n steamboat advantages II was for
many years the States principal port of
entry and the gateway through which
a large immigration passed. Madison
had wholesale and jobbing houses long
before uch a thing was dreamed of in
this city. 1t was at one time one of the
try. and had the largest single killing
and packing establishment then In the
world. 1t had several of the largest
Touring mills west of the mountains,
besides other mills. foundries and fac
tories Of considerable importance. Dur
ing it's palmy days the wharves of the
city were covered with merchandise and
its streets crowded with busy people.
For many years it was by far the most
important commercial point in the State.
With this early business prosperity
came an early social development.
Many of the best families who came to
the new State settled in Madison. AS
wealth accumulated the culture of the
people increased. For many years the
society of Madison was the best to be
found in the State. and though it's COM
mercial greatness has departed. its peo-
pie are still noted for intelligence, Gull
ture and worth.
In this prosperous and refined COM
munity the Lanier family settled in 1917,
a year after Indiana was admitted to the
Union. The founder of the family.
James F.. ID. Lanier, was a lawyer, and
practiced his profession for many years.
Later ne acquired banking interests. be-
came president of the Madison branch
of the old State Bank, and in 1s4S went
to New York and established the bank
ing house of Winslow, Lanier & Co. He
was always proud of indiana and deeply
interested in the honor and welfare of
the State. His patriotism and public
spirit were often exemplified. AT the
beginning of the Mexican war Madison
furnished three companies of volunteers,
m as no adequate provision had been
made for clothing and e%quipping them
Mr.. Lanier rendered Governor Whit
comb a sum of mone sufficient for this
purpose until they should be mustered
into service. He rendered the State very
important financial services during the
late civil war n at many other times.
His patriotism was of the highest type,
and there was no limit to his public
spirit.
Alexander C.. Lanier, who has just
| died, was the son of James II. d. Born
in Madison in 1920, he lived there till
his death. A sketch of him which has
already appeared in the Journal shows
that without noise or Cstentation he
lived a noble, beautiful and useful life.
From childhood to manhood, and from
manhood to ole age. his life flowed on
steadily with ever increasing respect
from all who knew him.
And thus he bore without abuse
The grand old lame of gentleman,
Detained by every charlatan
And Soiled with all ignoble use.