George J. Lane, one of the oldest settlers in Trivoli Township, has resided therein since his first year. Although he has passed through many a hard time and received many a hard knock in the battle of life, he has won success in the accumulation of property, and still better, is held in good repute and is well liked by those who know him. His fine estate consists of one hundred and sixty acres on section 20, and two hundred and forty acres on section 30, all improved except the timber land, and devoted to the purposes of general farming and stock-raising, to the latter of which it is well adapted, being situated at the head of Copperas Creek.
Grandfather Lane, whose given name was James,was the son of an Irishman, and was a farmer and distiller in North Carolina, his native State, until 1814 (sic), when he removed to Gallatin County (sic), Tenn. There he devoted his attention to farming and stock-raising, holding the office of Sheriff of the county several terms. In 1818 he removed to Hamilton County, Ill., opening up a farm on Government lands, and operating it until he retired from active life, and coming to Peoria County, died here at the age of seventy-seven years. He was High Sheriff of Hamilton County.
The father of our subject, Thomas Lane, was born in North Carolina (sic) April 1, 1807. His early years were spent upon a farm, and when of a suitable age he began working at trade, having a strong inclination for all mechanical employment and being occupied at different times in carpenter and cooper work. He was married in Hamilton County, this State, and buying a farm, attempted to make a living at agriculture there, but failed. In the fall of 1834 he started for Peoria County with an ox team and covered wagon, bringing his wife and child. He traveled in company with others, camping out by the wayside and reaching his destination with twenty-five cents in his pocket. He located on section 30 Trivoli Township, buying forty acres and later adding eighty acres. He build a log house, covered with clapboards, and by dint of arduous exertion conquered fortune.
In 1848 Mr. Lane erected a good brick house, the material for which had been made by him the preceding year. While in Hamilton County he began preaching in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and after coming to Peoria County he founded a society in his own neighborhood, assisted in building an edifice, and until his death was a prominent member. He became Local Elder, rode many miles to preach the gospel and started numerous churches. He was much interested in township affairs, particularly in educational matters. He died suddenly, April 1, 1879, at the age of seventy-two years, having been in active life up to the date.
The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Mary B. Mathis She was born in Union County, Ky., in 1811. Her father, Martin Mathis, a native of the same State, was a farmer. After his death his widow married a Mr. Proctor and came to Illinois. Mrs.Lane is now living on the old homestead; she has been blind for two years. She is the mother of eight children, our subject being the second in order of birth. The first-born, Mary J., died in Hamilton County; Lewis M., John M. and Sara E. died in Trivoli Township, this county, the date of the latter's decease being 1883; William H. resides on section 1, this township; Thomas S. in another part of it; and Mrs. Eliza E. Rice at the old home.
The subject of this biographical sketch was born in Hamilton County, July 27, 1833, brought to this county when but little more than a year old and reared on the farm. He first attended school when eight years old, the text books which he used being the old Webster spelling book, the New Testament and Pike's Arithmetic, in which he passed the Rule of Three, gaining the reputation of an advanced scholar. The school was in session abut six months during the year and, strange to say, was held in a frame building. The lad was early set to work on the farm, learning to drive oxen, breaking prairie with the wooden mold-board plow, grubbing and bearing a part in wolf and coon hunts, husking bees, and fox hunting with hounds, and also killing some deer. One of his experiences in early life was killing thirty snakes in an hour. His early home was the log house, which was succeeded by the brick structure which family and friends considered an elaborate mansion.
Young Lane remained at home until after he had become of age, but when twenty years old began working with his father on shares, getting one-half the proceeds of their labors. He then rented four years, and in 1856 bought eight acres of the land he still owns, paying $3,000. for the same. Grain was hauled to Peoria and Reed's Landing, and to those places he also drove the hogs and other stock he had to sell. Two years after purchasing the property he located upon it, making the improvements, which included everything needful and convenient. He has added to his real estate as circumstances warranted, now finding almost constant employment for five teams on the farm which he personally superintends. He raises high grade short-horn cattle, shipping his own stock and also feeding one to three car loads per year. His hobby is raising and feeding hogs, and his drives are probably the largest in the township. He also deals to some extent in sheep and horses.
The lady who presides over the elegant home of Mr. Lane became his wife February 4, 1858, the marriage being celebrated in this township. She is a native of Nicholas County KY., came to this section when a young lady, and having born an excellent reputation as Miss Mary E. McGraw, has added to her list of friends by her capability and devotion to her family.
Mr. and Mrs. Lane became the parents of a large family, comprising four sons and eight daughter. Edwin M. is married and farming in his native township; Thomas S., a graduate of the Springfield Commercial Colllege, operates a farm of four hundred and eighty acres in Kansas; Mary E. is the wife of Ed. Wells, a farmer in Rice County, Kan.; Emily F. died when thirteen months old; Louis J. is married and residing in this township; Minnie A. died May 23, 1878; George H. is working on the home farm; Amanda T. married Jackson Wright, a farmer in Fulton County; Sarah E., Ida M., Ada T., and Amy L. are with their parents.
In 1879 Mr. Lane was elected Justice of the Peace, and has since served continuously, and is also School Director, in which position he has acted for years. He is a Democrat and has been a delegate to county conventions. He is Trustee and Steward in the Methodist Episcopal Church at Concord, was on the Building Committee when the edifice was rebuilt, and has been Class-Leader.
A lithographic portrait of Mr. Lane will be found elsewhere in this volume.
The Above Biography was submitted by Susan MEIER Thank you Susan!