Biographies
For
Muscatine County Iowa
1889



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 497

WILLIAM S. LANE, who resides on section 26, Wapsinonoc Township, is numbered among the pioneer settlers of Muscatine County, of which he became a resident inf the fall of 1839. In those early days he endured the trials and hardships of frontier life, aided in developing the prairies into well-cultivated farms and assisted in the growrth and prosperity. He was born in Harrison County, Va., in 1827, and is a son of John G. and Elizabeth ( Springstone ) Lane, both of whom were natives of that State. In 1839, accompanied by his family, Mr. Lane emigrated from Virginia to Iowa, making the trip in a wagon. On reaching Muscatine County he entered 240 acres of raw land in Wapsinonoc Township, and upon that farm our subject began his life in this county. The land was entirely uncultivated, but with the help of his children Mr. Lane broke prairie, planted his crops, and in the course of time had a well-developed farm. For only two short years the mother was permitted to enjoy her new home, her death occurring in 1841. She was a member of the Episcopal Church, a most estimable lady, and was beloved by all who knew her. Five children were left to mourn her loss : William S. of this sketch ; Ellen, who is now the wife of Mr. Bottenfield, of Washington County, Iowa ; Elizabeth, wife of Clinton Bozarth, who resides in Black Hawk County, Iowa ; Mary, who died at the age of nineteen years, and Gilbert, who died at the age of twenty-three years.

After the death of his first wife Mr. Lane was again married, becoming the husband of Jane Lathrope, and to them were born two children. He continued to reside upon the farm which he entered on his arrival in this county until called from this earth by death. Politically, he was a supporter of the Democratic party, and religiously, was a member of the Methodist Protestant Church.

Our subject was reared to farm life, and remained under the parental roof until nineteen years of age, when he left home and began working as a farm-laborer for $10 per month. The advantages of public schools were not afforded him, but saving his earnings from his labors of the summer, with it Mr. Lane would pay his tuition during the winter term of school, and in this way received his primary education, which has since been supplemented by reading and observation. The discovery of gold in California attracting his attention, in 1850 he started for the mines, sailing down the Mississippi River, and then boarding a Pacific steamer, which, after forty days, landed in California. Spending sixteen months on the Pacific Slope, engaged in mining, satisfied his taste in this direction, and he returned home, coming by way of New York City. The following year, in 1852, he purchased a farm of 120 acres in Cedar Township, continuing its cultivation for three years, when he sold out and once more came to Muscatine County, purchasing 160 acres of land on section 26, Wapsinonoc Township,where he has since continued to reside. To the original tract he has added eighty acres, and is now thw owner of one of the best farms in the township, it being well improved and under a high state of cultivation. By his own unaided efforts, his industry, good management and economy, he has gained all that he now possesses, and may truly be called a self-made man.

In 1854 Mr. Lane was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Hunter, a native of Pennsylvania and a daughter of Samuel Hunter. Four children graced their union : Henry, who is now a resident of Lone Tree, Iowa ; Fred, whose home is in Ft. Worth, Tex.; Freeman, who was accidently killed, in 1875, and Edwin, who is at home. The death of the mother occurred in 1865, after which Mr. Lane was again married, Miss Rosanna Wilkins, a native of Somerset County, Pa., becoming his wife. To them have been born an interesting family of three children, namely :Nettie B., Maud E., and Blanche W. Socially Mr. Lane is a member of the I.O.O.F. In his early life he was strongly opposed to the institution of slavery, and advocated abolition during the stirring times when it took a man of nerve to acknowledge his stand on that question. When a political party was organized, stating in its platform its opposition to slavery, he joined its ranks, and has since been a stalwart supporter of Republican principles. His first Presidential vote was cast for John C. Fremont, and to this day his allegiance to the Republican party has been unquestioned. Mrs. Lane is a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at West Liberty.


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