Noble Larner was born on F and 7th Street, N.W. in 1830. His mother was a daughter of Jacob Gideon, who was at the time one of the wealthiest men in Washington, a publisher, and well known throughout the country as the printer of the Congressional Record.

In April 1861, Mr. Larner answered President Lincoln's first call for troops for ninety days' service and served until the expiration of this term of enlistment. Some time after Mr. Larner had been discharged from the army he was drafted to serve for three years under a call by the President. Sometime after this, he, in connection with others formed what was known as the Third Ward Draft Club, its object being to secure money to purchase substitutes for those citizens of the third ward that might be drafted. In this effort the club was so successful as to procure substitutes enough to relieve all that were drafted in that ward except the last two who were sent to the army.

Some time afterwards President Lincoln decided that he would place in the army a substitute to the credit of the District of Columbia, and communicated his desire to the provost marshal general of the District, with the request that he select the gentleman who should fulfill his wishes. The provost marshal general sent for Mr. Larner, stated to him the President's wishes and placed the matter in his hands. After considerable trouble, substitutes being scarce, he succeeded in getting one. He was sworn in, dressed in uniform, taken to the White House and introduced to the President, who spoke very pleasantly to him as to the duties of a soldier. President Lincoln subsequently sent Mr. Larner a check on Riggs Bank in this city in payment of the price he had paid for the substitute.