The Holland Society of New York - Yearbook (New York, NY)

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267 his earlier ancestor a son, Prof. Hugh Lansing, of Troy High Schgol, and four dau ht L - nette, and Maggy ETS, ueua' CafO11He..M-, J 93171- s natives of Albany He leaves GEORGE VAN WAGENEN W ,,. ofthe Holland society, Magi ijistiie fiingffgi .ia1?l13f1'Y 29, 1904, from heart disease, at his late rfisldencev NU- 171 West 97th Street, in his seven- tieth year. He was born at Rhinebeck and Came to New York as a boy, later taking up the pro- fession of engineering, and at one time being closely associated with Ericsson in the building of the M onfitor and superintending the installation of all the engines in that vessel. He Was also ,a ship chandler at No. 212, and subsequently at No, 2 3 3 West Street, a business which he continued for about forty years. His home life was exemplary and he leaves ia Wide circle of sorrowing friends and relatives. He is survived by a widow, a son, and a daughter. , PIERRE VAN BUREN HoEs was elected March 30, 1887, and Was' Vice-President of the Holland Society for Kinderhook,,1892, 1893, and 1894- He died at his home in Kinderhook, N. Y-, 011 February 5, 1904, in his sixtieth year. He Was an occasional Writer for the daily papers and C1'U?1'G11l? publications, and at the time of his death was engaged in Writing and had nearly completed a H igtmfy 0fKinde1'h0ok, from the time of the original patent to Jan T yse Goes Qone of his ancestorsj and others. He had been for years an active Worker in the Dutch Reformed Church at his home anfl in its Sunday-school, Where his loss will be fe t most keenly. His pastor inserted the following notice and eulogy: ,H 3 h' ' d news' Father, I thank Thee t 1515 5:4531 d Of God Ii' ' ' d fthis suffering 1 . L : Wheihisfilifieiifeiisfdiaih, in answer to questms that 4 , . a.. F . .QB 4 as yn- itflg' W , J '- fi ,pl 1 l YIM 1 ,l I 4 Aa 1 if gl all in il ,Q V 'W l 5 J 1 J i ,-. 1 a.

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266 Hon. JAMES LANSING, one of Troyis most fa- mous lawyers and citizens, was elected to mem- bership june 8, 1899, and died January 91, IQQ4. He was a counsellor of high standing, in active practice for nearly forty years, including a term of six years as Surrogate of Rensselaer County. He was born in Decatur, May 9, 18 34. just before reaching twenty-one he went to North Mount Pleasant, Miss., and soon afterward began teaching school at Macon, Tenn., continuing for eight years. About this time he married Miss Sarah A. Richardson, of Poultney, Vt. While teaching, he prepared for his legal career, taking up his law books at the close of school hours. When his teaching came to an end, he went to the Albany Law School, graduating in 1864. After graduation he came to Troy and began to ,practise in the law office of Warren Sz Banker, soon afterwards being appointed clerk in the Sur- rogate's office. In 1867 he formed a partnership with the late Robert McClellan, which lasted for fourteen years. He then practised alone for a number of years until he formed a partnership with William P. Cantwell, jr., which continued until Mr. Cantwell's death. Thereupon Mr. Lan- sing went into a partnership with John B. Holmes, which was but recently dissolved. He was a Democrat and ready to do everything for the suc- cess of his party. In 1889 was his successful candidacy for the Surrogate's office, but he was defeated for a re-election in 189 5. He was always accurate and took great care in the preparation ofhis cases, which may well account for his success and his large practice. He was a member of the Memorial Presbyterian Church, of which he had been trustee for twenty-two years and president of the trustees for sixteen years. He was active in. church work and 'liberal in his contributions. His earliest ancestor in this country was Gerrit Lansing from Hassel, near Zwolle, in Overyssel, 1675, his father being a native of Schodackand

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268 could not be evaded, he was told that his 'condition was 'very serious' Days and nights of excruciating anguish had preceded and others were to follow. although momentary shadows now and then dimmed his vision of his Saviour he was humbly trustful and submissive through- out, and a few moments before the end exclaimed thrice, with loud triumphant voice, ' I die a Christian' . His departure is a sore loss not only to his family and kindred and to a large circle of sincere friends, but also to the Church he dearly loved, and to his pastor who had in him a devoted and loyal friend and helper. 'I have loved you, I have loved you,' were among the wordsthe pastor will not soon forget. For the last two years nearly he was the superintendent of the Sunday School, and was thoroughly devoted to its every interest. He had a large, 'warm heart, full of kindness and gen- tleness, and most generous in its impulses. A valuable pastor's library of three hundred and fifty volumes belonging to the Church is one of many memorials of his wise and large beneficence. Everything pertaining to the welfare of the Church and the world-wide progress of the kingdom had in him a sympathetic friend, and often a liberal helper. He united with the Kinderhook Church, when he was a youth of eighteen, and though during absence for a few years he was a member and an official of the Yonkers Presbyterian Church, his heart was here, and hither he returned with a great content. He was uniformly in his place, when circumstances per- mitted, in the Church service, the Sunday School and the teachers' and prayer meetings. Pain and breathlessness that made his steps slow and required rest by the way, did not keep him from the Lord's house. And now he 'dwells in the house of the Lord forever.' We miss him sorely. May God help us that we murmur not. Hrs BEREAVED PAs'roR. In Yonkers, where he lived for some years, he was active in philanthropic work, and was also Secretary of the Sons of the American Revolution, and a member of the Yonkers Historical Society. At one of the meetings of the latter he read a care- fully prepared paper' on Reminiscences of Martin Van Buren and Old Kinderhookf' which was read again at the home of Mr. William Allen Butler at a social gathering, by Mr. Butler's special request.