Member Biography

Henry Edward “Harry” Lanius 

Member
Sessions Office Position District Party
1923-1924       28 Democrat
1925-1926       28 Democrat
1927-1928       28 Democrat
1929-1930       28 Democrat
1931-1932       28 Democrat
1933-1934       28 Democrat
1935-1936       28 Democrat
1937-1938       28 Democrat
1939-1940       28 Democrat
1941-1942       28 Democrat
1943-1944       28 Democrat

COUNTIES: York  


Biography

02/13/1882 - 05/30/1943


Henry Edward “Harry” Lanius (D28) York County 1923-1943

Early Life:

Henry Edward “Harry” Lanius, born February 13, 1881, York County, Pennsylvania; son of Marcus Chester and Catherine M.  Vonknodte Lanius; York Public School education; elected, Democrat, Pennsylvania State House of Representatives, 1913-1920, elected, Minority Floor Leader, 1919-1920, not a candidate for reelection, 1920; elected, Democrat, Pennsylvania State Senate, 1923-1943; appointed, Local Government Commission, 1941-1942; executive secretary, Pennsylvania Association for the Blind, 1927; married, Cora Elizabeth Nace Lanius, son Marcus Charles Edward Lanius; died, May 30, 1943 (age 62 years, 3 months, 17 days), while in office of Senate, North Codorus Township, York County, Pennsylvania; interment, Saint Peter’s Church Cemetery, Spring Grove, York County, Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania Politics:

Elected, Democrat, Pennsylvania State House of Representatives, 1913-1920, elected, Minority Floor Leader, 1919-1920, not a candidate for reelection, 1920. 

Elected, Democrat, Pennsylvania State Senate, 28th district, York County, 1923-1943; appointed, Local Government Commission, 1941-1942; died, May 30, 1943, while in office of Senate, Guy Leader elected November 2, 1943, to fill vacancy.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives Biography:

Official Website - PA House Archives Official Website (state.pa.us)

Legacy:

An industrial accident caused blindness, 1903. Draft application of September 1918 indicates he had both eyes removed. Learned braille and was a champion for the blind in the State Assembly.

Cited:

Cox, Harold. "Senate Members "L""Wilkes University Election Statistics ProjectWilkes University.

Henry Edward “Harry” Lanius (1881-1943) - Find a Grave Memorial