Biography - Edward Lane
HON. EDWARD LANE. The Buckeye State has given to Montgomery County, Ill., many estimable citizens, but she has contributed none more highly respected, or, for conscientious discharge of duty in every relation of life, more worthy of respect and esteem than Hon. Edward Lane, a prominent lawyer of Hillsboro. He is at present Congressman of the Seventeenth District of Illinois, and is discharging the duties of his office with ability, fidelity and excellent judgment. At an early age he was left an orphan, and it was through his own efforts that he acquired a good education, his entire career being such as to win him the respect and esteem of all who are favored with his acquaintance. He is a self-made man in every sense of the term, and although his experience in life has been a varied one, it is at the same time one that reflects only credit upon him as a man.
Mr. Lane is a native of Cleveland, Ohio, as were also his parents, John and Catherine Lane, both of whom are now deceased, the father dying when a young man, or in 1846. He was a very successful business man, and was engaged in merchandising in his native city at the time of his death. Five children were born to their union three daughters and two sons and all grew to manhood and womanhood. When but four years of age, our subject was left an orphan, and he drifted along, caring for himself, until he carne to Montgomery County, Ill., this being when he was about sixteen years of age. He first found employment in a livery stable in Hillsboro, and then worked in a brickyard for some time. Realizing that a better education was necessary, this ambitious young gentleman entered Hillsboro Academy, and by the money obtained by day work, attended the school for four years, thus laying the foundation for his subsequent prosperous career.
When twenty-two years of age, young Lane commenced the study of law, and at the same time taught a country school, to furnish him with the necessary funds to carry on his legal studies. On the 1st of February, 1865, he was admitted to the Bar, and commenced practicing in Hillsboro, where many able and eminent lawyers graced the Bar. Thus surrounded, the young lawyer saw the difficulties in his path, but with a zeal, earnestness and perseverance rarely equaled, he applied himself to the intricate labors of his profession, and soon became one of the ablest lawyers in the district. His superior abilities being recognized, he was elected City Attorney in 1867, and held that position several years. Two years later, he was elected County Judge, and held that position for four years. He not only acted as Judge, but he was a Judge in every true acceptation of the term firm, dignified and courteous to the members of the Bar, and polite, impartial and just to litigants. It is safe to say that no County Judge in Illinois ever commanded more respect, or filled the office with more distinguished ability. His decisions on legal questions always commanded the highest respect, and his clear, strong intellect and excellent command of the English language enabled him to make the simplest understand the principles enunciated.
In the capacity of practitioner, Judge Lane is eminently successful. Fluent, easy and strongly argumentative, his speeches to courts and juries rarely fail to carry conviction. In 1874, he was elected Supervisor, filled that office one term, and in 1886 was elected to Congress, and is now serving his third term. He is an eminent man, and an ornament to the Bench and Bar of Illinois, whose sky is studded with so many luminous names. Neither during his early struggles for an education, nor in subsequent years, has Judge Lane ever gone in debt, and one of his familiar sayings is. "Debt makes a slave of a man." he has a beautiful residence in Hillsboro, a large two-story brick, of modern architecture, with a lovely lawn and everything to render one comfortable and happy. This charming residence is presided over by his most estimable wife, formerly Miss Tucie Miller, who became his wife in October, 1870. She is a daughter of Samuel K. Miller, of Lawrenceville, Ill. To Judge and Mrs. Lane have been born two interesting children, a son and a daughter, Guy C. and Bessie.
Extracted 04 Dec 2016 by Norma Hass from 1892 Portrait and Biographical Record of Montgomery and Bond Counties, Illinois, pages 150-152.
