The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-12-09
DEATH CLAIMS NESTOR
OF METHODIST CHURCH
DIR. John Lanahan Ends a
Useful Life.
WAS A FRIEND OF LINCOLN
Spent Sixty-fve Years as a Preacher,
Circuit Elder, and Manager of
Boob Concern.

The Rev. John Lanahan. one Of the
most widely known clergymen of the
Methodist Episcopal Church and the
nestor OF the Baltimore conference, died
yesterday at his home in Baltimore. He
was lightweight years old. He was
born in Rockingham county, Va. He
Joined the Baltimore conference in 1883.
In 1856 he was elected a delegate to
the general conference. He was after
ward chosen delegate to every succeed
ing general conference up to 1900 This
record, with the exception of that of the
famous Peter Cartwright. is without
parallel in the Methodist Church
At the general conference of 1868, held
In Chicago, he was chosen assistant
agent of the Book Concern in New
York. DR.. Lanahan remained in New
York forSTour years.
IN the days that preceded the ci-ti
war DIT. Lanahan was the rallying point
of the anti-slavery sentiment in the Dor
Ger States. Throughout the war he WIS
very close TO President Lincoln anc his
Secretaries. and was often called upon
for counsel In matters pertaining 20
Maryland, Virginia. and the District of
Columbia He was a. brother of Thomas
NJ Lanahan, the lawyer and confiden-
His Work Unique.
DR.. Lanahans history as a Methodist
minister has been unique. Admitted to
the conference in 1888, he was the one
link in the Methodist chain that con-
nected the days of the circuit riders and
pioneers OF Methodism with the present
dav
AS a preacher he was noted for his
eIoquence. which advancing age could
not diminish, and only two years ago
he preached a sermon on Courage" at
Ocean Grove. which was pronounced the
strongest pulpit discourse heard there
that year.
DR.. Lanshan was held in the highest
regard by Presidents Hayes and Nc
Kinley, being the pastor of the former
when he was President and the latter
when he was a member OF Congress.
Dr. Lanahan's mental grasp and vigor
were undiminished until the illness
which came upon him several months
ago.
Once N Prison.
DR.. Lanahan professed religion when
eighteen years old, and a few years
afterward he was admitted TO the Bal
timOre conference. He at once took a
prc=5Tinent part in the affairs OF the
conference, and during his career he
served as presiding elder several terms
and as pastor of many Of the larger
congregations. He gained his chief fame,
however, in the part he took in TN
earthing the frauds perpetrated on the
Methodist Book Concern Of New York
while he was its agent His course
brought down on him The maIedictions
OF the parties implicated in the trans
4 g. Il
friends behind them the religious papers
OF the day teerned with articles on both
sides Of the case.
DR.. Lanahan was denounced, and so
hot did the war on him become that
he was arrested and spent a night in
the Tombs Prison. But DIT. Lanahan
stood his ground. and proved his charges
and his course vas ultimately vindicat-
ed. DR.. Lanahaa's labors in the case
We're subsequently written UP by himself
and published in book form.
OF Striking Presence.
DR.. Lanahan had a striking presence.
He was Of large physique and his hai1
was snow white. His voice vas deep
and vibrant, and his method o. speaking
convincing. He was an excellent parlia-
rnentaTian. and sticlxler for strict ad-
herence to all recognized rules in debate.
His fund OF information IN many
branches was extensive, and he had {.
fine sense Of humor. He was also a
hard student.
DIT. Lanahan was pastor Of the Foun-
dry and Asbury churches Of Washing
ton IN IS4s and 1919. He was pastor OF
the Georgetown church in 1880 and 1851.
He served the Potomac DISTRICT as pre-
siding elder from 1855 70 1888 He was
pastor Of the East Washington church
IN 1861, was presiding elder Of the Wash
ington district IN 1872 and 1873, and pas
tor OF the Foundry Church from 1875
70 1880
George B. Lyons.