Lanyon, William Sr.
Death
1899-02-11
(aged 89 years)
Mineral Point, Wisconsin
Birth
1810-11-08
Elston (Helston?), England
Gravestone
Location
NE.05.1
Transcription
William Lanyon Sr
Born Nov 2, 1810 Died Feb 11, 1899
Mary Ann his wife
Born June 12, 1815 Died Aug 17, 1898
Biography
William Lanyon, Sr.
WILLIAM LANYON, SR., is a native of Cornwall, England, and was born Nov. 8, 1810; he grew to manhood and was engaged in business there for ten years, and transacted a large trade; he emigrated to the United States in April, 1840, and the following month he came to Wisconsin, and located in Mineral Point, and began working at the blacksmith and machinist's trade; he afterward engaged in the hardware, stove and tinware business, and carried on the business for some years, and established a very large trade. In 1849, he established his foundry and machine-shops, and carried on the business until 1875, when he gave up the active management of the business to his sons. Mr. Lanyon has lived here over forty years, and for thirty-five years has been successfully engaged in business life. He has held the offices of City Alderman and City Assessor. When he began life he had nothing, and his success is owing to his own efforts and industry. Mr. Lanyon was united in marriage, April 21, 1833, to Miss Mary Ann Bennett, a native of Cornwall, England; they have had fourteen children, nine of whom survive - William, Cyrus, Josiah, John, Simon S., Albert, Samuel, Robert H. and Edwin V. [Source: History of Iowa County, Wisconsin: Containing an Account of Its Settlement, Growth, Development and Resources..." Chicago: Western Historical Company. April, 1881. Tr. by K. Mohler] from http://genealogytrails.com/wis/iowa/biosL.html
Obituary
William Lanyon. For half a century the name of William Lanyon has been familiar to the readers of the Tribune. Few names have appeared in these columns oftener, and now with deep regret we reprint the name to record that he who bore it is but a memory. Saturday morning Feb. 11th, the spirit of William Lanyon took its flight for the undiscovered country, and Tuesday morning his mortal remains were laid beside those of his life companion, in the old Mineral Point cemetery.
Mr. Lanyon was born Nov. 8, 1810, and consequently had lived almost 89 years. His birthplace was Elston, England. There he grew to manhood, one of a family of nine sturdy brothers and sisters. He learned the trade of blacksmith and machinist, and prosecuted the business throughout the years of his active life. In 1833 he married the wife whose death was recorded only last August. In 1840 they came to America, and located in Wisconsin, which was ever after their home.
Soon after arriving here Mr. Lanyon was recognized as a forceful factor in the development of the town. Never content with what was, when he thought it could be enlarged or bettered. He took hold of any proper enterprise readily furnishing employment for men when they otherwise might have been idle, and making improvements that might not have been but for him. Such a man could but stimulate enterprise in others, accomplish much for the general good, and leave an impress upon the community in which he operated. No history of the progress of Mineral Point can be completed without the name of William Lanyon frequently therein. In business he was honorable as he was energetic, in social intercourse kind and considerate, to his adopted country thoroughly loyal and to his family strongly devoted.
Until the death of his wife he was a wonder of physical activity for so old a man. Since she was taken from him he has failed rapidly, but bore up manfully till the last, when he quietly surrendered, full of christian hope that there awaited him the rewards of a well spent, useful life.
The funeral Tuesday morning with services by Rev Thos. Kent, was attended by his brothers Robert and Samuel, his sons Cyrus, Josiah, John, Simon, Albert, and Edwin, besides a large number of other relatives, long time neighbors and friends, many of whom came great distances to pay last respects to the honored dead. Three sons were unable to attend, viz: William, Samuel and Robert.
Mineral Point Tribune Feb 16, 1899