Joseph Lane

Joseph Lane
United States Senator from Oregon
In office February 14, 1859 – March 3, 1861
Preceded by	Himself (Shadow Senator)
Succeeded by	James Nesmith
United States Shadow Senator from the Oregon Territory
In office July 5, 1858 – February 14, 1859
Preceded by	Seat established
Succeeded by	Himself (U.S. Senator)
Governor of the Oregon Territory
In office May 16, 1853 – May 19, 1853 Acting
Preceded by	John P. Gaines
Succeeded by	George Curry (Acting)
In office March 3, 1849 – June 18, 1850
Appointed by	James K. Polk
Preceded by	George Abernethy
Succeeded by	Kintzing Prichette
Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives from the Oregon Territory's at-large district
In office March 4, 1851 – February 14, 1859
Preceded by	Samuel Thurston
Succeeded by	La Fayette Grover (Representative)
Personal details
Born	(1801-12-14)December 14, 1801 Buncombe County, North Carolina, U.S.
Died	April 19, 1881(1881-04-19) (aged 79) Roseburg, Oregon, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Polly Hart
Children	10, including Lafayette
Relatives	Harry Lane (grandson)
Signature
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Army
Years of service	1846–1848
Rank	Brigadier General

Joseph Lane (December 14, 1801 – April 19, 1881) was an American politician and soldier. He was a state legislator representing Evansville, Indiana, and then served in the Mexican–American War, becoming a general. President James K. Polk appointed Lane as the first Governor of Oregon Territory. When Oregon was admitted as a state in 1859, Lane was elected one of Oregon's first two U.S. Senators.

In the 1860 United States presidential election, Lane was nominated for vice president of the pro-slavery Southern wing of the Democratic Party, as John C. Breckinridge's running mate. Lane's pro-slavery views and sympathy for the Confederate States of America in the Civil War effectively ended his political career in Oregon.

One of his sons was later elected U.S. Representative, and a grandson U.S. Senator, making Lane the patriarch of one of the state's most prominent political families.