The Lansdowne Family

James M. Lansdowne in Biographical Record of Darke County, Ohio

The full biographical sketch as printed, transcribed from the public-domain book. Spelling and wording are the original author’s; a few scanning errors may remain.

JAMES M. LANSDOWNE.

No compendium such as the province of this work defines in its essential limitations will serve to offer fit memorial to the life and accomplishment of the honored subject of this memoir, a man remarkable in the breadth of his wisdom, in bis indomitable persever- ance, his strong individuality, and yet one w hose entire life had not one esoteric phase, being an open scroll, inviting the closest

scrutiny. True, be accomplished much in life, and yet his entire accomplishments but represented the result of the fit utilization of the innate talent which was his, and the di- recting of his efforts along those lines where mature judgment and rare discrimination lead the way. He was indeed an important factor in the business and moral life of the community with which he was connected, and in his death Greenville and Darke county I' 'St one of its most valued citizens.

James Moreton Lansdowne was a native of Clermont county, Ohio, bom on the 24th of December, 1840, his parents being Dr. Zachariah M. and Mary Gray (Hoover) Lansdowne. His father was a native of Kentucky, and in childhood removed to C iermont county, Ohio, where he was reared and married Miss Hoover, a native of that county. This worthy couple became the parents of eight children, James M. being the only son and second child. About the year 1S50 his parents took their family to Cincinnati, and in 1855 came to Greenville, where Mr. Lansdowne, of this review, made his home until his life's labors were ended. In the public schools he acquired his pre- liminary education, which was supplemented by one's years study in Antioch College ; but in 1864, when not yet eighteen years of age, lie put aside all personal considerations, and responded to his country's call for troops. Prompted by a spirit of patriotism, he en- listed as a member of the One Hundred and Fifty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of hostilities, taking part in the short but active engagements oi his regiment, and remaining faithfully at his post until the starry banner of the natii >n v, as planted in the capital of the southern federacy.

After hi- return to ( heenville Mr

downe was connected with the business in- terests of the city in various clerical capaci- ties until 1869, when he accepted the posi- tion of cashier in the Greenville Exchange Eank, which position he acceptably filled un- til 1880, when the bank was closed. He ac- cepted a position with the Philadelphia Provident Life & Trust Company, which po- sition he held until the 27th of September, 1889, when he resigned in order to become the cashier of the Farmers' National Bank, in which capacity he served until his death. He contributed in no small measure to the success of both institutions* He possessed excellent business and executive ability, a discriminating mind, sound judgment and never-failing courtesy — qualities which se- cured to the banks many of their patrons. He was justly regarded as one of the ablest financiers and reliable men in western Ohio, and in business circles his reputation was un- assailable.

In private life he was equally respected and honored, for he held friendship inviola- ble, was quick to note and appreciate true worth in the individual, and in his home he could not do too much to enhance the wel- fare and promote the happiness of his wife and children.

On the 26th of September, 1876, in Greenville, Mr. Lansdowne was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Knox, who was born in this city, December 21, 1851. She was educated in Cooper Seminary, in Day- ton, Ohio, and is the only daughter of John Riley Knox, a prominent lawyer of Green- ville, now deceased. She now resides with her mother, and the two ladies enjoy the warm regard of a large circle of friends in Darke county. Mrs. Lansdowne has three children — John Knox. Harry and Zachariah.

As a citizen Mr. Lansdowne was public-

spirited and progressive, and gave a gener- ous and earnest support to all measures which he believed would prove of public benefit. His judgment of such matters was practical and reliable, and his co-operation with any movement was an indication of its worth. For many years he was a leading and- active member of the Episcopal church, and a member of its vestry. For some years prior to his death his health grad- ually failed, and for a few months he was confined to his home by tuberculosis until the end came on the 30th of October, 1899.

At a meeting of the board of directors of the Farmers' National Bank, held on the 1st of November, 1899^ the following resolu- tions were adopted :

Whereas, Our honored associate, James M. Lansdowne, has passed away; be it

Resolved, That by his death this board has lost a wise and attentive adviser and the community a trusted and public-spirited citi- zen. To us, as individuals, the loss is that of a companion and friend, and our sincere sympathy is extended to his widow and fam- ily in this affliction.

Resolved, That these resolutions be spread upon the minutes of the bank as a mark of our esteem and respect for his mem- ory, and as an expression of our apprecia- tion of his many years of valuable service as director and cashier of this bank, and that a copy hereof, signed by each member of this hoard, be presented to his widow, and that the Greenville papers be requested to publish the same.

Source: Biographical Record of Darke County, Ohio. See the original pages at the Internet Archive.