Lang, John

Lang, John an eminent minister of the Society of Friends, was born at Vassalborough, Maine, in 1790. He felt a special interest in the North American Indians, and about 1840 was appointed one of a deputation sent out by the New England Yearly Meeting to the Indians west of the Mississippi River, with a view of suggesting and maturing plans for their improvement. President Grant appointed him on the Board of Indian Commissioners, a position which he held till his death. "Both as a commissioner and as a private citizen he served the government several times in missions of great delicacy and difficulty, accomplishing the service to the satisfaction of the government, and securing amicable relations with the tribes visited." He is represented as having been "a man of splendid physique and great vigor, both of body and mind, yet gentle and unassuming in manner, genial and sympathetic, most appreciative of others, and forgetful of self ill his efforts for the good of his fellows." He died at his native place, May 25, 1879. See Friends' Review, 32:681. (J.C.S.)