John J. Lanphier (1854-1943)

LANPHIER

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 3/24/2022 at 17:19:20

John Joseph Lanphier
(September 27, 1854 – 1943)

Canada has furnished to the United States many bright, enterprising young men
who have left the Dominion to enter the business circles of this country with its more progressive methods, livelier competition and advancement more quickly secured. Among this number is John J. Lanphier, who is now so successfullv engaged in merchandising in Lohrville, Iowa. He was born in Middlesex County, Canada, on the 27th of September, 1854, and is a son of Anthony and Margaret Crawford, both natives of Ireland, the former born in County Tipperary, the latter in County Down. It was during their childhood that they emigrated to the new world and have since made their home in Canada. Throughout his active business life the father engaged in farming with good success, and for twenty years lived retired, enjoying the fruits of former toil, dying January 28,
1902. His home was in Middlesex County, north of London. Canada. Our subject is the fourth in order of birth in a family of six children, four sons and two daughters, namely : Thomas, now deceased ; Mary Ann, James, John J., Margaret Jane and Anthony.
In the county of his nativity John J. Lanphier was reared and educated, pursuing his studies in a little country schoolhouse, eighteen by twenty-four feet in dimensions. Its furniture consisted of ordinary wooden benches and a desk built against the wall. Our subject remained at home assisting his
father in the operation of the farm until twenty-four years of age, when he took a trip across the water on account of his health. On his return from Europe he spent two years with his father on the home farm, and then went to Hot Springs, Arkansas, where he remained a short time.
Returning to Canada, Mr. Lanphier was married in February, 1882, to Miss Catharine Carey, also a native of Middlesex County, and to them have been born six children, namely: Vernard, Cyril, Cecelia, Thomas, Basil and Kate. In March, following his marriage Mr. Lanphier came to Lohrville, Iowa, and in April, 1882, embarked in general merchandising. He has been in business here almost continuously since, though he twice sold out, and in November, 1899, he opened his present store. He carries a well selected stock of everything found in
a first-class general store, and by fair and honorable dealing has built up an excellent trade, which is constantly increasing. He is today one of the oldest business men of the place, and besides his village property owns seven hundred and twenty acres of good farm land which he rents. His possessions have all been acquired through his own well directed and energetic efforts, for he is a man of good business and executive ability and is able to carry forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes. In politics Mr. Lanphier is a Democrat, and in religious faith is a Catholic. [Source – Biographical Record of Calhoun County, Iowa, by S. J. Clarke, 1902, p.241]