Edwin V. Lanyon. The president of the National Bank of Pittsburg, Edwin V. Lanyon, is a dominant factor in the financial and industrial world and belongs to a family the members of which have figured conspicuously in the industrial development of Southeastern Kansas for the last quarter of a century. He is a native of Wisconsin, born at Mineral Point, December 14, 1863, and a son of Josiah and Jane (Trevorrow) Lanyon, the former a native of Mineral Point and of English descent, and the latter a native of England.
Josiah Lanyon came to Pittsburg, Kansas, in 1882, and was interested in the smelter development of this section, but later returned to Mineral Point, Wisconsin. In the public schools of that city Edwin V. Lanyon received his education, and in 1882 came to Pittsburg with his father, here assisting him to build a smelter which they operated together under the firm style of W. & J. Lanyon until 1897. They also built a large smelter at Iola, and a number of members of the Lanyon family were interested in these gigantic projects, in which thousands of dollars were involved. The Iola plant was operated under the name of Robert Lanyon & Sons Smelting Company, as was also the La Harpe plant, and these enterprises were later absorbed by the Lanyon Zinc Company. In the spring of 1899, Edwin V. Lanyon of this review became superintendent of the Lanyon Zinc Company’s smelters at Iola and La Harpe and remained in that capacity until the year 1902, when he went to Neodesha and, in partnership with his brother, Delos, and William Lanyon, Jr., built a zinc smelter which they operated about a year when it was sold to the Grady M. & I. Company, of St. Louis. He then returned to Pittsburg, Kansas, and became president of the National Bank of Pittsburg, with which he had been associated as a director for a number of years previously. This is one of the substantial banking institutions of Southeastern Kansas and many of the best known business men of this section have been interested in it for years. While Mr. Lanyon gives the banking interests the greater part of his attention, he is still interested in a number of important industrial projects. In 1906, he, with his brother, Delos, and associates, organized the Lanyon Star Smeiting Company, at Bartlesville, Oklahoma, and constructed a large plant at that place which they still operate. Mr. Lanyon was one of the organizers of the Pittsburg Zinc Company, which purchased a plant at Pittsburg in 1907, which they still operate, and of which company he is president. In 1905, with other interests, he organized the Home Light, Heat and Power Company, of which he was president, but later that concern was absorbed by an eastern company. Beside his banking interests at Pittsburg, he is interested in the Mulberry State Bank, of which he is vice president.
Although his private interests are extensive and important, Mr. Lanyon has found time to devote to the public welfare, and his public spirit has led him to be every ready to support any enterprise tending to make a greater Pittsburg. He has served as mayor of the city one term and is an active member of the Chamber of Commerce, has been vice president of the Commercial Club, and is now vice president of the Carnegie Library board. Fraternally, he is a Knight Templar Mason and a Shriner, and belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Fraternal Aid Union.
Mr. Lanyon was united in marriage November 27, 1889, with Miss Lydia, daughter of T. L. and Caroline (Neff) Scott, of Pittsburg, Kansas, where her father is a contractor and builder. Mrs. Lanyon was born in Missouri, and came to Kansas with her parents when a child. Mr. and Mrs. Lanyon have three children: Marjorie, who is the wife of T. C. Hill and resides at Pittsburg; and Edwina and Dorothy.