Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1906-11-26
CAPTAIN JOHN JANNEY.

the antebellum steamboatmen OF this
city, died at the home of his daughter,
Mrs. ]. d. Farrell, Monday. Captain
Janney was quite advanced in year.,
being nearly so, and had been in poor
health for some time, but his mind was
lust as bright as in the halcyCn days of
youth, and with bis grandchildren
around him he used TO sit by the freside
and recount by the hour The exciting
and historical incidents that he had
passed through during his long career
Mrs. Janney died two years ago, alter
they had been t9getLer for more than
6fty years, and her loss was keeniy felt
by him. Old ale gradually overcsme
him, and slowly but steadily the sunset
of life encroached upon the once sturdy
frame, and he lapscd into the sleep
which ko0Ss no waking at 8 O'Clock
yesterday morning.
LAST night many friends called to pay
their respects to the be'eaved family,
and this forenoon at ii o'clock the
funeral s-ryices will be held under the
auspices OF the Masonic Lodge, Rev.
DR.. Burwell conducting the religious
services. The interment will be in Me-
tairie, beside the remains of his wife.
Captain Janney was born in Alexan-
dria, Va, February 25, 1927 His an
cestry was distinguished one, of Eng
lish origin, though the family had been
in Virginia almost from the earliest
times, being amongst the early settlers
of that colony. His father and mother
died 10 his early youth, and he was adopt
ed BY his uncle, John Janney, for whom
he had been named, and reared in an at
mosphere OF refinement and culture. His
uncle was member of Congress, and
10 those days members of Congress took
advantage of the week. end holidays to
accept invitations from OOngressmen liv-
ing near Washington to spend few days
in the country. Mr. JauDey's home was
the center of a brilliant coterie of such
week-enders, and Captain Jsuney used
to regals his friends with stories OF many
notable men in history, such as Clay,
Webster, Calhoun and others less dis
tinguished, who were frequent visitors to
the Janney home, and with whom the
young man became we'll acquainted. His
uncle was the intimate friend of Robert
f. Lee and presented him with the sword
which he carried during the civil war.
His cousin, Samuel NJ. Janney, wrote
the memoirs Of General Lee
He foresaw the important part which
railroads would play in the development
of the county, and early in life, at
time when the Baltimore and Ohio Rail-
road was still almost novelty, be be-
came clerk for it, and worked for seve-
raj years. Then the golden West at
tracted him, and his brother having al
ready come to New Orleans, he decided
to follow him, and making his way to
the Ohio river, took a steamboat for
New Orleans. The clerk on the boat
became incapacitsted, he volunteered his
services, which we're gladly accepted by
the captain, and thus his future career
was nodded upon this trivial Incl
dent He landed at Baton Rouge, but
crme on to New Orleans, and when he
landed was greeted by dog, which be
came frantic with JOY. 1t was pet of his
brothers, and he knew that the brother,
Phiness, was somewhere about. His
experience as clerk on the trip down
proved attractive to him, and when Cap
tain Hart offered him q berth in the
Bayou Sara steamer Luna he accept
ed, aud ran in it many years.
Then Captain I. p. Leathers offered
him position as first clerk. he
moved to Concordia Parish, and there
met Miss Johnson, of Nstchez, whom
he married IN 1853. He was elected
sheriff of that parish, and was serv-
ing in that capacity when the civil
war broke out. His allegiance was
with the southern cause, and he rem
dered Invaluable service to the Con
federacy 10 a civil capacity. He was
incapacitsted for war service on &C
count of wound received while per
forming his official duties Governor
Allen, the war governor of LOuisisDs
intrusled him with many important re-
sponsibilities, and these heeZecuted with
credit to hitnself. After the war he came
to New Orleans again, and re-entered
the steamboat business, being agent
for the Vicksburg packets, and latter
for the famous big racers, the Lee
aud Natchez. He was part owner a
one time of the Governor Allen. il
the later days of steamboating ht
was part owner with Captain Brown
In the famous steamboat Edward J
Gay, which was afterwards the Oil
yer Beirne, aud burned. Twenty year
ago be retired from stesmerboating, ant
for few years occupied position in tn
surveyors department in the Custom
House, but for twelve years he lived il
retirement, enjoying the fruits of his earl.
labors and the love OF his numerous de
sceDdants
He was Que of the charter members 0
the Pickwick Club, and was a Mason
high standing, having enjoyed the dis
tinguished honor Of being the oldest snF
viving member of Louisiana Lodge, DO
l02