Larner. Suddenly on the evening of Thursday, March 19, 1903 at 8:45 o'clock. Noble D. Larner in the 74th year of his age. Funeral services at the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church at 2 p.m., Monday, March 23. The Evening Star, March 20, 1903 Stricken in Church Noble D. Larner Died Suddenly Last Night Had Read His Report in New York Avenue Presbyterian Church His Long and Active Career in Every Phase of Civic Life -- His Masonic History Just as he had concluded reading his annual report as treasurer of the board of trustees of the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church, last night, Noble D. Larner sank into his seat and died without a word or a sign of pain. Mr. Larner was seventy-three years old and heart failure was the cause of his death. He had been accompanied to the meeting, which was held in the Sunday school rooms of the church, by Mrs. Larner and his two grand children, Nellie Larner and Noble D., jr. The young people had been the guests of their grand parents at dinner in the afternoon, and the day had been one of unusual happiness. Just before leaving for the church Mr. Larner complained somewhat of fatigue, but in accordance with his accustomed regard for duty, decided to go for the purpose of making his report in person. His Sudden End The meeting was presided over by Mr. Justice Harlan, who had asked a question of two regarding the business of the church after Mr. Larner had concluded. These had been answered by Mr. Larner without any indication of physical distress, and in his usual quiet and substantial manner. As he resumed his seat his head sank forward on his breast, his hold relaxed on his cane and his life had ended in an instant. Mrs. Larner had grasped the hand of her husband, and Dr. Charles H. Richardson, Dr. W.D. Hughes, Gen. Joseph C. Breckenridge and Mr. Brice Moses, who were seated near, all came to the assistance of the stricken man. The physicians in their hasty examination ascertained that there was no pulse and that the breathing had ceased. While the audience remained quietly seated Mr. Larner's body was removed and placed in one of the adjoining rooms from where it was shortly taken to the family residence, 937 I street northwest. Mrs. Larner was gently cared for by her many friends and accompanied to her home. Throughout his long life Mr. Larner had been prominently connected with every phase of civic citizenship in Washington. His name was a synonym for honesty and reliability in the business world, for sincerity and consistency in religious work and for felicity and comradeship in fraternal circles. Mr. Larner's strong mentality and vigorous physique made him an indefatigable worker. In each of the fields to which he turned his attention he gave the same thoroughness and enthusiasm, and in each he achieved the same degree of eminent success. Essentially a Washingtonian He was essentially and above all a Washingtonian. His father, Michael Larner, was born in this city May 18, 1803, near the site of the city hall. Mr. Larner was born January 9 1830, in a house which stood on F street near the corner of 7th. 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. Young Larner apprenticed himself to learn the printers trade to his grandfather. He soon evinced a decided liking for politics and took an active part in the local administration. He was elected a member of the board of common council and served one term, from 1862-63 During this time his father represented the fourth ward in the council, while young Larner served in the third. During this time Mr. Larner lived in a little frame house on the site of the present family residence on I street. At the expiration of his term in the council he took a clerkship in the general land office. While there he became lieutenant in the old National Rifles and during the war he enlisted in the "three months" volunteer service for the protection of the city. He served at Fort Stevens on the Potomac and in Virginia. During his service in the council he was made a member of the draft committee for his ward, and in this capacity Mr. Larner secured a substitute for President Lincoln, at the latter's request, as the executive declared he desired to set the proper example. This substitute was uniformed and equipped and then taken to the White House by Mr. Larner for the President's inspection. President Lincoln expressed his approval of his substitute and presented the latter a check for his services. After the war Mr. Larner associated himself with Charles Knapp, the well-known Pennsylvania gun founder, and George Riggs for the purpose of forming the National Union Fire Insurance Company. Mr. Larner became secretary of this company immediately, and continued in that position to the time of his death. The National Union at once became a popular concern. It has since been said that the selection of the name of that particular time had much to do with its success. However that may be, its business was prosperous from the first. His Masonic History Early in the sixties Mr. Larner became interested in Masonry. He became a member of the B.B. French Lodge. Later he left that organization to become a charter member of Lafayette Lodge, where he has retained his membership since. He went through the official chairs of the lodge and served as its master for two terms, during which time he had the distinction of raising 140 men in Masonry, the largest number to that time in the history of the local lodges. He became a member of Lafayette Chapter, and was made a high priest. He was connected with one of the foot commanderies, but left that organization to join in the formation of the De Molay Mounted Commandery, No. 4, of which he was made eminent commander. In 1896, when the Grand Commandery of the District of Columbia was organized, Mr. Larner became its first grand commander. In this position he signed the charters of all of the commanderies of the District, all having to take out new charters under the new organization. This honor was one which was very gratifying to Mr. Larner. Another Masonic honor conferred on Mr. Larner was that of making him grand high priest of the General Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of the United States ,the highest gift in the bestowal of the order, and a position which Mr. Larner held for three years. Mr. Larner was also president of the Washington Masonic Veterans Association, an organization composed of men who were made Masons in Washington, and who have been members of local lodges for twenty-one years. He was president for two terms of the Sons of the American Revolution. His last term expired in February of last year, and Mr. Larner's administration of the affairs of the order proved the most prosperous period in the history of the organization. At the Time of His Death Mr. Larner was always an active and energetic worker in every branch of Masonry, and one of the most highly respected members of the fraternity in the capital. He was at the time of his death chairman of the Grand Lodge committee on jurisprudence and the Grand Commandery committee on Templar jurisprudence. He was the senior past thrice illustrious master of Washington Council, No. 1, Royal and Select Masters. He was also president of the Washington Masonic Veteran Association, which but three weeks ago celebrated its anniversary with an annual dinner, at which he presided. It is a coincidence that within a few months both the Washington Masonic Veteran Association and the Masonic Veteran Association should suffer the loss of their venerable presidents, the late William Gibson, president of the latter organization, having but recently preceded President Larner to another world. Mr. Larner had the pleasure of raising his two sons as Master Masons in Lafayette Lodge, and of exalting the same gentlemen as companions of Lafayette Chapter, R.A.M., an unusual privilege. Long Church Membership For forty years Mr. Larner had been a member of the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church, in which edifice his life came to an end last night. For many years he had been treasurer of the board of trustees. In this business life Mr. Larner had been eminently successful. He was the organizer of many enterprises not one of which was a failure from any point of view. Besides his prominent connection with the National Union Fire Insurance Company, he was also secretary of the Home Plate Glass Insurance Company. He was an active member of the Washington Board of Trade, a member of the Columbia Historical Society, and other organizations. Mr. Larner leaves a widow and two sons -- Phillip F. Larner, who is assistant secretary of the National Union Fire Insurance Company, and John B. Larner, a prominent member of the Washington Bar. The arrangements for the funeral have not yet been definitely completed. The funeral will doubtless take place Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Mr. Larner will be buried in Congressional cemetery with Masonic honors. Whether the services will be held in the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church or at the residence will depend upon the condition of Mrs. Larner, and will be announced later. The Evening Star, March 21, 1903, p. 6 by Grand Master of Masons George H. Walker. Lafayette Lodge, No. 19, F.A.A.M., of which the deceased was the principal founder and worshipful master, will be in immediate charge of the arrangements, under the direction of the grand officers. Mr. Larner was a past general grand high priest, past grand commander and past grand master, and each of the grand bodies of York Masonry will participate officially in the last honors to his memory. Funeral services will be held over the remains Monday at 2 o'clock p.m. at the New HYork Avenue Presbyterian Church. At a special meeting of the board of fire underwriters of the District of Columbia, called this morning to take appropriate action on the death of Mr. Larner, who was for twentyeight years secretary of the National Union Insurance Company of this city, a committee consisting of Capt. R.W. Tyler, Simon Wolf and Samuel Cross were appointed and subsequently reported resolutions which were adopted expressing heartfelt sympathy. "We recognize him," the resolution continues, "at all times as a public spirited, high minded American citizen, a man of sincere and pure purposes, devoted to his country, to his native city, to his church, to his family and to his friends; energetic as a man of affairs, ever frank and outspoken, the oldest underwriter of our city, he was one of the founders and for seven years the president of our association; genial, hearty and sincere, he won and retained the friendship and esteem of his fellow men. His example is an inspiration, his memory a legacy." The following were appointed a committee to represent the association at the funeral; Capt. R.W. Tyler, Sam Cross, W.C. Duvall, Meyer Cohen, Henry Wells, Lem Towers, jr., E.N. Waters and H.L. Rust. Funeral of Noble D. Larner Ceremonies to Be Under Direction of the Masonic Fraternity The funeral of the late Noble D. Larner will be in charge of the Grand Lodge of Masons. The ritualistic work at the grave will b The Evening Star, Monday, March 23, 1903, p. 7 Last Rites Over Dead Tribute to Memory of Noble D. Larner Services at the Home and Later at Church--Masonic Honors at Grave The honor and esteem in which the late Noble D. Larner was held by the people of Washington, where he was born and spent his life of usefulness, was attested by the character and standing of the large number of citizens who gathered at the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church this afternoon to pay a final tribute to his memory. The Supreme Court of the United States, the army and navy, the District government, the different branches of the administration, business, fraternal and patriotic organizations were represented at the bier of this man whose death the national capital mourns. A short service was held at the residence, 937 I street northwest, at 1:30 o'clock. It consisted of prayer and a few words by Mr. Larner's pastor, the Rev. Dr. Wallace Radcliffe. Only relatives and a few near friends of the family were present. The Honorary Pallbearers. At 2 o'clock the body was taken to the church. The honorary pallbearers consisted of representatives from the Grand Lodge, F.A.A.M., two representatives of the Grand Chapter, R.A.M.; two from the Grand Commandery, Knights Templar; Justice John M. Harlan, representing the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church; Mr. Henry Orth, representing the National Union Insurance Company; Mr. F. Miller, representing the Home Plate Glass Insurance Company; Dr. J.W. Bayne, representing the Sons of the American Revolution; Mr. W.J. Acker, representing the Masonic Hall Association; Mr. S. Thomas Brown, representing the Oldest Inhabitants Association; Mr. G.Y. Atlee, representing the Washington Veterans' Association and the National Rifles of 1861; Mr. C.W. Howard, representing the fire underwriters of the District of Columbia, and Mr. Joseph A. Deeble. The active pallbearers were chosen from Lafayette Chapter, No. 5; Lafayette Lodge, No. 19, and DeMolay Mounted Commandery, No. 4. The ushers at the church were William H. Pierce, John Doyle Carmody, Henry W. Samson, Sidney Besselevire, John P. Randolph, J.P. Ernest and Philip Walker, all members of Washington Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. The National Union Fire Insurance Company of which Mr. Larner had been secretary from its inception, was represented by Capt. R.W. Tyler, Samuel Cross, W.C. Duvall, Meyer Cohen, Henry Wells, Lemuel Towers, jr., E.N Waters and H.L. Rust. Simple Services at Church The service at the church were simple. They consisted of "Nearer, My God, to Thee," and "Lead, Kindly Light," sung by a quartet of brother Masons, prayer and a brief sermon by Dr. Radcliffe, who spoke feelingly of Mr. Larner's life work for the betterment of mankind and his untiring interest in everything good. He said that the church had lost one of its firmest supporters and the city one of its noblest men. The floral offerings were many and beautiful. Chief among them were large designs of roses and lilies from the Sons of the American Revolution and the Association of Underwriters respectively, Mr. Larner having been the first president of the latter organization. Other offerings were from Almas Temple, Mystic Shrine, Royal Arch Chapter, Lafayette Lodge, F.A.A.M., and the Union Fire Insurance Company. At the grave the ceremonies were conducted by the Masonic fraternity under the charge of Mr. George H. Walker, grand master. The Evening Star, January 5, 1888 Locals Mr. Noble D. Larner celebrated the 22d anniversary of installation as worshipful master of Lafayette Lodge, No. 19, F.A.A.M. last evening with a reception at his house, which was attended by a large number of members of the order. The Evening Star, March 30, 1903, p. 2 Will of Noble D. Larner Jewel From King Bequeathed to Masonic Grand Lodge of England The will of Noble Danforth Larner, dated March 14, 1901, was filed for probate in the register of wills' office today. By the terms of the will the testator bequeathed the greater part of his estate to his wife, Ann Margaret Larner. A portion is left in trust for his grandson, Noble B Larner. Upon the death of the wife the property is to descend to the testator's sons. The jewel which Mr. Larner received as a gift from the King of England, Edward VII, as the grand represen tative of the Grand Lodge of F.A.A.M. of England to the Grand Lodge of the District, it is directed, shall be returned to the Grand Lodge of England. The executors named are Philip F. Larner and John B. Larner, sons of the deceased. A History of the City of Washington Noble D. Larner Occupying an exalted position in local matters, insurance and Masonic circles, Noble D. Larner, a Washingtonian by birth and residence, spent a life fraught with usefulness and distinction. The son of Michael and Christiana Larner, he was born on January 9 1830. He was one of the organizers of the Nation