Edward Lane

Edward Lane (March 27, 1842 – October 30, 1912) was an American teacher, lawyer, judge, and Democratic politician who served four terms in the United States House of Representatives from Illinois from 1887 to 1895.

Biography Born in Cleveland, Ohio, on March 27, 1842, he moved to Illinois in May 1858 with his parents, who settled in Hillsboro, Montgomery County. Lane attended local schools and graduated from Hillsboro Academy before becoming a schoolteacher for several years.

Early career Lane then studied law and was admitted to the Illinois bar in February 1865, after which he began his legal practice in Hillsboro and served as the city attorney for three years. Local voters elected him judge of the Montgomery County Court in November 1869, a position he held until 1873.

Congress Lane was elected as a Democrat to the Fiftieth and to the three succeeding Congresses (March 4, 1887 – March 3, 1895). He served as chairman of the Committee on Militia (Fifty-second Congress). He lost his campaign for reelection in 1894 to the Fifty-fourth Congress to Republican James A. Connolly.

Later career Lane resumed his legal practice in Hillsboro.

Death and burial Lane died at his home in Hillsboro on October 30, 1912, and was interred in Oak Grove Cemetery.