LANEY, William J., M.D.

LANEY, BRUCE

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 2/10/2014 at 18:09:08

Biography ~ William J. Laney, M.D.

"Biographical and Historical Record of
Ringgold and Decatur Counties, Iowa"
(Lewis Publishing Company (1887)), Pp. 653-54:

WILLIAM J. LANEY, M.D., of Decatur City, is the pioneer physician of Decatur County, having commenced his practice here in 1853, in partnership with Dr. G. C. Thompson, and no physician who practiced medicine then is now living in the county at the present time. Doctor Laney was born in Columiana County, Ohio, April 15, 1830, a son of John and Elizabeth Laney. He began the study of medicine in his native county, under the preceptorship of Dr. Joshua A. Calvin, and subsequently attended the Medical School at Willoughby, Ohio. In 1851, he came to Iowa, and located at Keosauqua, Van Buren County, where he commenced the practice of his profession. From there he came to Decatur County, in 1853, as before stated, locating at Leon. In the spring of 1857, he came to Decatur City, where he has since resided. He was married at Leon, May 16, 1866, to Miss Fannie Bruce, a native of Vermont, and a daughter of J. M. Bruce. They have one daughter, Flora Bell, born in April, 1868.

Dr. Laney has always been one of the favorite physicians of Decatur County, and the counties adjoining, and has had an extensive practice, his rugged health enabling him to undergo much fatigue and hard work. He has a good home, with an office near his residence, where all his pioneer friends meet with a most heartly welcome, which in turn is tendered the doctor wherever he goes, and he enjoys the confidence and esteem of all who know him. In his political views he is a Democrat. In the fall of 1857 he was elected to represent Decatur County in the General Assembly of Iowa, the first Legislature under the new Constitution, which convened at Des Moines.

NOTE: Dr. Laney died May 4, 1905, Davis City IA. Fannie (Bruce) Laney was born on November 6, 1838, and died February 24, 1914. They were interred at Old Davis City Cemetery, Davis City IA.

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, February of 2014