In every community the most substantial men lend their influence and devote their efforts towards the establishing of concerns which will give stability to the locality. Conservative policies dictate that in nothing is the public given better service than in the organization and faithful conduct of banking institutions, and Virginia owes much in this respect to Lafayette A. Angier, who, although now retired, has done much to promote the welfare of Cass County in general, and Virginia in particular. He was born just west of Virginia, in Cass County, October 1, 1852, the son of Addison G. and Anna Eliza (Wilson) Angier. The parents were born and married in Ohio, coming to Cass County soon after their marriage. Here they reared a family of eight children, as follows: Harriet, Mary Ellen, and Emma G., all of whom are deceased; Louisa, who is Mrs. E. Dygert, of Virginia; Rose and Grace, both of whom are deceased; and Lafayette and George both of whom reside at Virginia. Both father and mother are deceased and are interred in the cemetery at Virginia. For many years Addison G. Angier was president of the Centennial Bank of Virginia, and was one of its heavy stockholders at his death, and was also one of the organizers of the Farmers Bank of Virginia, and was connected with it for a number of years.
Lafayette Angier was brought up on his father’s farm, and educated in the schools of his district. For some years he farmed very successfully, and resided on his farm land, but moved to Virginia in 1892, although continuing his agricultural activities and still operates 280 acres near Virginia. There he bought a beautiful residence, which he has since remodeled, and has one of the most desirable homes at the county seat.
In 1876 Mr. Angier married Jennie B. Hill, a daughter of Charles and Martha J. (McConnell) Hill, and they became the parents of five children, namely: Grace, who is Mrs. J. L. Way, of Virginia; Harry, who died May 27, 1901, at the age of twenty-three years; Alice, who is Mrs. George Kikendall, of Springfield, Ill.; Fern, who is Mrs. William Finn, of Virginia; and Charles, who married Goldie Bingham, lives at Virginia and is associated with the firm of Finn Bros., dealers in gents’ furnishings.