BIO: Capt. William H. LANIUS, York County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Abby Bowman

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History of York County, Pennsylvania.  John Gibson, historical editor.
Chicago: F. A. Battey Publishing Co., 1886.
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Part II, Biographical Sketches, York Borough, Pg 29

CAPT. WILLIAM H. LANIUS, one of the leading representative business men of York 
County, is a descendant of Christian and Anna (Updegraff) Lanius (grandparents).  
The former was born at Kreutz Creek, York County, September 16, 1773; died in 
York, February 16, 1847.  The latter was born in York, March 16, 1774, died at 
the same place October 9, 1830.  The parents of our subject were Henry and 
Angeline (Miller) Lanius.  The former born September 20, 1809, died June 26, 
1879.  The mother was born March 28, 1822, and is still living in York.  Henry 
Lanius was a prominent business man of York and highly esteemed.  He was 
extensively engaged in the lumber trade, and continued an active business man up 
to his death.  In 1860 and 1861 he served as chief burgess of the borough, and 
was for several years a director on the school board.  He was a prominent member 
of the Moravian Church, and at the time of his death, president of the church 
council.  Eight children are descendants, viz.: Marcus C., Annie L., William H., 
Ellen A., Charles C., Sarah F., Paul and Susan H.  Capt. Lanius was born at 
Flushing, Long Island, N.Y., November 26, 1843, and when a youth, came with his 
parents to York, where he received a liberal education, attending the public 
schools and the York County Academy.  In August, 1861, he enlisted as a private 
in Company A, Eighty-seventh Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, but was 
soon after transferred to Company I, as first sergeant, remaining until the 
close of their service.  He was commissioned second lieutenant, March 1, 1863; 
first lieutenant, November 18, 1863, and as captain, June 25, 1864.  Capt. 
Lanius was with his regiment in all its engagements and battles, among which may 
be named Winchester, Mine Run, Locust Grove, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold 
Harbor, Petersburg, Monocacy, Opequan and Fisher's Hill.  He was wounded at the 
battle of Monocacy, July 9, and honorably discharged October 13, 1864, after 
over three years' faithful and active service.  Capt. Lanius embarked in 
business in York in 1867, engaging in the lumber trade, which he has continued 
up to the present time.  In 1871 he formed a business association with his 
brother, Marcus C., conducting a branch at Wrightsville until 1878, and at the 
present time has extensive lumber interests at Williamsport.  Capt. Lanius has 
also been identified with various other enterprises, and ranks as one of the 
leaders in all measures of progress.  He published in 1884 a superior map of the 
borough of York, and has laid out a valuable addition to the same in the 
Fifteenth Ward.  He is the originator and president of the West End Improvement 
Company, described in another portion of this book.  He organized the first Post 
of the G. A. R. in York County; is a member of York Lodge No. 266, A. F. & A. 
M., and a representative in the common council.  Capt. Lanius has always taken 
an active interest in political affairs, and early in life organizing the Boys 
in Blue in the campaign of 1866 at the age of twenty-two years, and was made 
president of the organization, and remaining in that position in 1868 and 1869.  
In 1884 he was a delegate to the Republican National Convention at Chicago.  In 
1867 he was united in marriage with Miss Lucy Smyser, daughter of Michael 
Smyser, of York.  They have three children: Mary S., Grace A. and Perry L.