Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-08-07

the street. Death came to him as a well
come relief from his physical infirmtes,
at least. so he regarded II, and he often
said during his last days that no was
ready and pleased 20 go.
GRACIOUS IN HIS HOME
To any one who was ever privileged to
sit by the trcside Of Colonel Tanner, the
thought OF his death is almost incon-
ceivable, and IL brings an overwhelming
solemnity No man ever diffused a more
radiant influence of life, cheerfulness, and
vigorous hope than he did beneath his
own roof He was not. indeed, a demon
strative person; he did not overflow with
efluson or cover by a boisterous heart
iness the absence Of a sincere welcome.
But he never failed to DO the right thing
iu the right way or 20 say the right
word at the right time. He was thought
ful for every one who approached him.
JIe knew by unerring intuition the ways
true grace-which flow out Of true
Kindness. He was entirely frank and
simple. bearing himself always with gen.
lie dignity. With youth, in particular,
he had a profound and comprehensive
fympathy. To the last day Of his life he
carried that mood of youth, and no one
ever heard from his lips a word of satire
or encouragement. His first and great
est impulse was sympathy. In domestic
life this displayed itself in constant
and unobtrusive solicltude for the COM
fort Of those around him, and in thou
sand courtesies that equally adorned his
conduct and comforted his associates. Yet
there was no element Of insipidity in his
character. If he preferred always to see
the most agreeable side and to speak
always the most agreeable word it was
not that he was blind TO defects. or as
s.duous TO please, or insincere, or ac-
Qusltivo Of popularity. When occasion
required IL he spoke his convictions,
whether acceptable or otherwise, fully
and firmly. and he could rebuke injustice
or IN breeding with cool censure that
was all the more implacable for its calm
ness and reserve.
4 CULTURED GENTLEMAN.
Among the old-fashioned phrases OF
eulogy there is one that long usage has
rendered conventional; but 1t IS very
expressive: He was gentleman ard a
scholar. 1t is much to deserve
those names. Colonel William f.
Tanner entirely deserved them, and
he bore them with the sweet modesty,
unconscious humility. and native win
ming gentleness of an unselhsh ma
ture lie was always thoughtful for
others; always doing acts of courtesy
and kindness His reading was large and
various. lie WAS accomplished III NAA' |
classics; he had comprehensive know !
ledge Of English literature, and he pos
sessed the French German. and Spanish !
languages
SKETCH OF HIS LIFE.
Colonel Tanner was born March 10, 1886. |
lie was, therefore. 81 years Of age at !,
the time Of his death. He first saw the |
light in New Canton, in Buckingham |
county. and his parents were John Il. |
and Harriet J.. Tanner. He came 10 |
Richmond as a little child, and was cd |
ucated at Mr.. John Claibornes boarding
school. in Buckingham; at Mr.. hlchard
Turner's school. in Richmond, ana az
the Richmond College. He married IN
1851 Miss Mary Mildred Mallory OK TINS
city. who died MAY %. 1892, and nine
children from that union survive they
are Mr. Charles W. Tanner, Mrs J.. I.
Younger, Mrs. r.. +. Lyons, Jr., Mr.. VII
liam y. Tanner, Jr., Miss Mildred Lee
Tanner. Mr. John +. Tanner, Mr.. A. y
Tanner. Mr. Il. III. Tanner, and Mr.. W.
s Tanner, all of whom reside IN ms
city. The last eight years of his lie
was a struggle against inexorable ol5-
ease. lie was q victim TO progressive
paralysis. yet, though he knew that the
end was near at hand he never faltered
but bore hts sufferings with calm ana
serene resignation and fOrtitude' oiteh
NcfldflnS thdt ne was ItduF W aus"
The final summons whenever IL might
come.
SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS CAREER.
Colonel Tanners business career was
one OF very successful achievement. his
father was member OF the firm of
Joseph X. Anderson a. Co, which built
he Tredegar IrOn-WOrks, and Colonel
Tanners first commercial experience was
COINED IN the Office OF that establishment
where he rose 10 the position OF book
heper. In 1856 he started in business on
.fsNQgn account with Mr.. Ebbitts, under
the fi fr-name Of Tanner & E5bitts. en-
- A. la the manufacture OF steam en-