John W. Lanigan, vice president and general manager of the firm of Dillon & Douglass, wholesale dealers in butter and cheese, was born in New Haven. December 20, 1874, and attended the Eaton public and Hillhouse high schools and following his graduation with the class of 1893 he entered the employ of the firm of Dillon & Douglass on the 13th of June of that year as office boy. He rose through various positions as the result of his diligence and trustworthiness until in April, 1916, he was elected vice president and general manager of the company, which is today one of the oldest establishments in the wholesale trade in butter and cheese in New Haven. The business has become one of the important commercial enterprises of the city. Mr. Lanigan is familiar with every phase of it in principle and detail and with unfaltering energy concentrates his efforts upon the further extension of the trade relations of the house. Its business has ever been based upon the most reliable principles and progressive methods have been infused, keeping the establishment in touch with the trend of business advancement at the present day.
     On the 28th of June, 1899. Mr. Lanigan was married to Miss Louie Alling, of New Haven, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William H. Alling, and they have one child, Audrey, who was born in December, 1904. Mr. Lanigan belongs to the Quinnipiac Club and is a Mason, exemplifying in his life the beneficent teachings and purposes of the craft. He is thoroughly wide-awake, alert and energetic—a self-made man who deserves much credit for what he has accomplished, and his colleagues in business circles speak of him in terms of high regard.