The Piney Woods Rooters lived on what is known as the Kissimmee Island. A thirty-five mile long stretch of land which is bordered to the North by Lake Kissimmee, to the East by a chain of lakes (Tiger, Rosilee, Walk-in-Water, & Arbuckle), to the West the Kissimmee River, and to the South by Lake Istokpoga. The "Island" was once surrounded by water and the people could travel by small boat from one lake to another. The terrain on Kissimmee Island was prairie, piney woods, sloughs and palmetto patches. It took nerve and backbone to settle in this part of Florida. Like the west, Florida was settled by hardy men and women. They suffered hardships and long struggles with the elements and the many other dangers of a new land.

Augustus Lanier was born April 18, 1851 and died Sept 23, 1909 in Frostproof Fl. He married Laura Lamb b. Nov. 14, 1859 and d. May 7, 1939

Children of Augustus & Laura

#1 Roan Lanier
Born: April 25, 1877
Died: Oct. 1954
Spouse: Minnie Fortner

#2 Evin Lanier**Photo**
Born: July 6, 1879
Died: Sept. 13, 1967
Spouse: #1-Linnie Fortner #2-Mamie Carter
**Special thanks to Pam for her family info!

#3 Florence Lanier**Photo**
Born: Feb 29, 1880
Died: July 28, 1951
Spouse: Franklin Mathew Dossey, Sr.
**Special thanks to George Krell for his family info!
For more info on the Dosseys chick here

#4 Christopher "Columbus" Lanier**Photo**
Born: March 5, 1884
Died: July 15, 1952
Spouse: #1-unknown #2-Lena Leath

#5 "George" Washington Lanier**Photo**
Born: Feb. 16, 1886
Died: 1967
Spouse:1-Tollar Rhymes/Rimes, 2-Velma Leath, 3- Mary Rhoden

#6 Eddie Lanier**Photo**
Born: 1888
Died: about 1950's
Spouse: Carl Rhymes/Rimes (brother of Tollar Rhymes, George's wife)

#7 Gus Lanier**Photo**
Born: Jan. 18, 1890
Died: 1976
Spouse: 1-Rose Marie Bevis, 2-unknown, 3-Hettie Leath

#8 Ira Lanier**Photo**
Born: Jan 30, 1892
Died: June 18, 1974
Spouse: 1-Dollie Lawton, 2-Georgia Rhoden

#9 Benjamin "Frank" Franklin Lanier**Photo**
Born: Nov 30, 1894
Died: 1949
Spouse: Sara "Pearl" Keene
**Special thanks to Gigi for her family info!

#10 Mae Lanier**Photo**
Born: March 1, 1896
Died: Jan 25, 1980
Spouse:1-Roy Moore Sr., 2-____Shull

#11 Allie "Alberta" Lanier**Photo**
Born: April 10, 1898
Died: Mar. 25, 1979
Spouse: Henry Liscum Jordan
**Special thanks to Jim for his family info & stories!

#12 Milton Lanier
Born: abt 1900
Died: abt 1908
NOTES: Died as a child

#13 Clyde Lanier(twin)**Photo**
Born: April 12, 1902
Died: Sept. 22, 1998
Spouse: Lou Rhoden

#14 Ollie Lanier(twin)**Photo**
Born: April 12, 1902
Died: Dec. 14, 1990
Spouse: Charles Dietz

Augustus' name shows on the Polk County, Fl. census showing he paid pole tax in 1877 along with Rowan Lanier b 1847 and Albert W. Lanier b 1848. Land records show Augustus owned 160 acres in Polk County, Fl. A Homesteaders certificate was signed 11-15-1888 by President Grover Cleveland. Augustus and family are also mentioned in Doris Lewis' book, "Kissimmee Island". A detailed map of the residents of Kissimmee Island is also in the book. Doris Lewis wrote: "Laura had a good nature and would keep time on the dishpan with two sticks when George wasn't there to play the fiddle."

"When the two Lanier boys married daughters of William Rhoden, they all went to the justice of the peace together and had a double wedding. Afterwards, they all went out to Walk-In-The-Water Lake and announced it!"

If you have any information about the parents of Augustus or any of the family..
PLEASE, PLEASE EMAIL ME!