| From the New Orleans Daily Picayune |
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| May 21, 1865 |
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| Obituary |
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The Hon. HENRY J. RANNEY died in Lewisburg, parish of St. Tammany,
Louisiana, at half-past 2 o'clock on the morning of the 1st May, aged
about 58 years. |
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The deceased came to Lewisburg in impaired health. For some months his
bodily condition had not been good. It was thought and hoped that the
fresh, bracing salt air of the Lake coast would improve his health and
reinvigorate his shattered system. These hopes, however, so warmly
cherished by his numerous friends, proved fallacious; for, with some
slight intervals of improvement he gradually but steadily failed, until
death put an end to his earthly career. |
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Major Ranney was no ordinary man. He was a man of decided mark -- a man
of distinguished mind – a man of great facility of resource and
inexhaustible energy -- a man who was bound to create a deep and lasting
impression in any community in which his lot might be cast. He had
brains, and cultivation, and experience sufficient to enable him to fill
the highest of positions, usefully and honorably to those he
represented, and creditably to himself. In his lifetime he occupied many
important and responsible offices, mingled largely in public affairs,
and his duties and obligations were always discharged with scrupulous
fidelity and eminent ability. |
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In the city of his residence -- New Orleans -- Major Ranney was always
known as an enterprising, public-spirited, useful citizen. For more than
a quarter of a century his name has been prominent before the people of
that great commercial mart. For many years he represented one of the
districts of this city in the Legislature of Louisiana with unquestioned
ability, efficiency and influence. His voice was always listened to with
profound attention whenever any scheme of public improvement, having the
general interest of the whole country in view, was up for discussion and
determination. His plans were broad, statesmanlike and comprehensive,
and time almost invariably demonstrated that he was correct in his
premises and conclusions. As one of the original projectors of the old
Nashville & New Orleans Railroad, his views at that period boldly
expressed and powerfully urged notwithstanding the enterprise failed for
the time being, were afterwards carried out and triumphantly vindicated,
in the projection and completion of the New Orleans, Jackson & Great
Northern Railroad, of which he was President at the time of his death.
His services in carrying forward this great work of internal improvement
to a successful issue were invaluable, and are sufficient to enroll his
name high on the list of the benefactors of the Southwest. |
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As the leasee and manager of the New Canal in the city of New Orleans,
his memory deserves distinguished honor, and ought to be, and long will
be remembered by the citizens of that great metropolis. When he took
charge of the canal, it was not only comparatively useless to the
city; but was about bringing insolvency upon the bank itself. In a very
few years, under his capable and efficient management, a wondrous change
was wrought. The canal began to yield a princely income to the leasee, a
large revenue to the bank, and that portion of the city adjacent to
it began to thrive and prosper as it bad never done before. |
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Indeed, wherever H. J. Ranney essayed improvements, public blessings and
general benefits invariably followed. His comprehensive mind, vast and
varied experience, matured practical knowledge, indomitable energy and
rare tact, almost uniformly ensured success to any enterprise in
which he embarked or cordially supported. |
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The death of such a man at any time is a public calamity. And at this
calamitous and wretched period, when the present is full of peril and
the future. enshrouded in thick darkness -- when the country requires
the services of her ablest, discreetest and most experienced men -- the
loss is indeed irreparable. |
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Major Ranney departed this this life far from home, and his most
intimate associations. But watchful and devoted friends stood by him
through his last illness, attended to every want and necessity, left
nothing undone that could be done to promote his comfort or convenience,
and remained by him with unceasing care and vigilance, until Death
called, with inexorable summons, for his victim. He passed away without
pain and without a struggle. Indeed, so silently and peacefully did the
spirit take its flight from its tenement of clay, that the watchers by
the bedside hardly knew of the great change until it was fully
accomplished. |
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All the citizens of Lewisburg and Mandeville, ladies and gentleman,
turned out and escorted his remains to their last resting-place.
Although the funeral cortege was not so large and imposing as it would
have been in the city of his late residence, it was composed of sincere
and sympathizing hearts, and all deeply deplored the departure of a man
of rare ability and uncommon usefulness. The grave was made in a
majestic grove of live oaks; near by the waters of Lake Pontchartrain
beat upon the shores an eternal anthem; birds of rarest plumage and most
delicious melody carol forth songs of joy continually; and the choicest
and most fragrant flowers of the earth bloom and blossom perennially. |
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May the soul of our departed friend find a safe refuge in the regions of
everlasting bliss! |
| W. R. A. |
| Parish of St. Tammany, May 4, 1865 |
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