James T. Lane(died 1890)

LANE

Posted By: Anne Hermann (email)
Date: 6/18/2008 at 07:18:10

Maquoketa Excelsior
March 29, 1890

Jas. T. Lane

The Davenport Democrat publishes a three and one-half column obituary notice on the death of Jas. T. Lane. From this we extract the following, the estimate of Judge Waterman, a Democrat, given in an interview with a reporter of that paper:

Mr. Lane, it is safe to say, had a friend in each member of the Scott County Bar; there is no one of them I think, who will not feel something of a sense of personal loss upon learning of his death. His uniform kindness and courtesy endeared him to all of his professional brethren, while his ability commanded general admiration.

He ranked among the ablest members of the bar of this state. He was equally effective before court and jury; and it was a marked characteristic, that he worked best when he had most difficulties to surmount. He seemed to possess a large reserve force, which he drew upon only as necessity demanded.

Great requirements were met by him with great responses; he was always equal to the occasion.

While success is not always the best criterion of merit in a lawyer, yet it is the test that is oftenest applied, and it is of some value; measured by this standard, Mr. Lane must be accorded a very high position, for he was exceptionally successful with the cases he conducted.

Ability always commands respect but it requires something more to inspire the affection that was felt for Mr. Lane by all who knew him intimately.

The bar of the state will regret the loss of the lawyer; we, who knew him personally while joining in this, will sincerely mourn the death of the man.