CHARLES H. LANPHIER. The name of this gentleman is widely known and honored throughout Sangamon County. He is one of Springfield's prominent and valued citizens, has been active in its political and social life and has been a potent factor in its upbuilding.

Mr. Lanphier was born in Alexandria, Va., on the 14th of April, 1820, to Robert G. and Elizabeth (Sears) Lanphier, who were born in the immediate vicinity of the birthplace of their son. Robert Goin Lanphier was the son of Goin Lanphier who was in turn the son of Thomas Lanphier who was born in Ireland, coming originally of the Huguenot stock of France. He came to this country in 1732 and located first at Accomack, Va., and afterward at Port Tobacco, Md. Tradition has it that he came to America with considerable means. After his death in 1742 his family located at Alexandria, being among its first settlers. There Goin followed the business of architect, builder and contractor which was afterward pursued by his son Robert.

When Charles H. was four years old his family removed to Washington where he had the advantages of an excellent education in private schools until he was sixteen years old. At that age he came here with William Walters who founded the State Register. Our subject entered the Register office as an apprentice and was with Mr. Walters until the latter started for the Mexican War in 1846, and was taken sick and died in St. Louis while on the way, whereupon Charles undertook the paper which he conducted with eminent ability until 1863, making it a bright, newsy paper and an influence in politics. A part of the time he was associated with George Walker.

Mr. Lanphier was elected Circuit Clerk in 1864 and served two terms until 1868, making one of the most efficient officers that ever served the people in that capacity. In 1872 he was a candidate for State Treasurer. He has been Alderman of the city of Springfield a number of times and has been very influential in bringing about needed reforms in the municipal government and has been potent in advancing the material interests of the city in various directions. He has taken a prominent part in politics and has been a Democrat all his life since casting his first Presidential vote for James K. Polk. He is now living in one of the many beautiful homes of this city, passing the declining years of a busy, honorable life in the enjoyment of the wealth that he has gathered together and surrounded by every evidence of respect and affection not only of his children, but of the entire community where so many years of his life have been passed.

By his marriage in 1846 to Margaret T. Crenshaw, Mr. Lanphier secured a noble wife who was his chief blessing during a long and serene wedded life of more than forty years duration. Mrs. Lanphier was a native of Gallatin County, Ill., and a daughter of John Hart and Francine (Taylor) Crenshaw natives, respectively, of North Carolina and Virginia. The Crenshaws were early settlers of New Madrid, Mo., and were driven away from there by the earthquake of 1811. They took up their residence in Gallatin County, Ill. Mr. Crenshaw was a poor man when he settled there but became wealthy. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Lanphier of whom five are living: Robert G. who is a farmer living on the old homestead in Gallatin County; John C., a lawyer at Springfield; Charles H., City Electrician; Francine E., wife of James W. Patton, and Margaret C., wife of George W. Chatterton. William W. died at the age of fifteen years, and Anna at the age of seventeen years.

The death of the beloved wife and mother was a sad blow to her bereaved household. From the Springfield Monitor we take the following beautiful tribute to her life and character:

LANPHIER-at the family residence on Fourth Street near Madison, October 24, 1889, Mrs. Margaret Taylor Lanphier, beloved wife of Charles H. Lanphier, in the sixty-second year of her life.

"The death of Mrs. Lanphier has been long expected. She has been an invalid for some three years and her life has been despaired of many times during the last two years, so intense has been her suffering during that period. While the many hundreds of friends of the family earnestly and deeply sympathize with her bereaved companion and sorrowing children, all of whom have ministered to her every want and wish and did everything to bring her ease from suffering that science could suggest or that could be secured by purchase or personal effort; yet how consoling amid their sorrow that a beloved wife and mother has found peace from pain and rest from long and weary weeks of suffering by the wise economy of nature voiced in the words of the sacred writer when declaring that "it hath been appointed unto man once to die." One of the kindest hearts that ever warmed a human form has ceased to pulsate; the hand that was ever open to aid, responsive to that heart's wishes, is folded over the cold and silent casket which contained the gem of soul which has left the world better for its stay in it, and fills beloved eyes with tears and hearts with sighs, when death comes and leaves naught but a cold form and a thousand clinging reminders of her life.

Mrs. Lanphier was born December 4, 1827, at Equality, Gallatin County, Ill., and was the daughter of John Hart Crenshaw, a pioneer of this State. She became the wife of Charles H. Lanphier in 1846. The family have resided in this city ever since. She was the mother of seven children, five of whom - Mrs. James W. Patton, of this city; Robert G. Lanphier, of Gallatin County, Ill.; John C. and Charles H. Lanphier, Jr., and Mrs. George W. Chatterton, of this city - survive her with their father, her devoted husband, to keep green the merits of a life worthy of emulation and sparkling with happiest memories. She pays the debt of nature; she marks the impress of her years of life as a true woman, wife and mother, upon the world; she has passed her probation and Hope cheerfully points sad eyed, sorrowing ones to