Lanier, J. Con, 1891-1975

J. Con Lanier (1891-1975), a native of Pitt County, N.C., was a lawyer and a leading expert on tobacco. Lanier was born in Greenville, N.C. and was the son of James Council and Pattie Estelle (Peebles) Lanier. A graduate of Greenville High School, University of North Carolina and Georgetown University, Lanier started his law career after serving in France during World War I. He was a Second Lieutenant in the 34th Infantry. During the Roosevelt administration, Lanier moved to Washington, D.C. to help develop a national tobacco program working for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. After returning to Greenville, Lanier once again plunged into activities connected with tobacco. During this period, he served as Counsel for the Tobacco Association of the U.S., Executive Secretary of the Leaf Tobacco Exporters Association, and Counsel for the Leaf Tobacco Exporters Association. Lanier was also active in N.C. Democratic Party. He served as county attornery (1921-1925) and mayor of Greenville (1927-1931) and state senator of North Carolina (1941-1945). Lanier was also the president of Renfrew Printing Company. He was married to Miss Bernice Metts Taylor, February 5, 1925. Toegether, they had one child, James Conrad Lanier, Jr. Lanier was a member of the Methodist Church.