enry Smith Lane, for two days Governor of Indiana, was born February 24, 1811, in Montgomery County, Kentucky, and at the age of eighteen commenced the study of law. Soon after attaining his majority he was admitted to the bar, and in 1835 came to Indiana and located at Crawfordsville, where he soon obtained a good legal practice. His winning manners made him very popular with the people, and in 1837, he was elected to represent Montgomery County in the state legislature. In 1840, he was a candidate for congress against Edward A. Hannegan, whom he defeated by 1,500 votes. He was re-elected the next year over John Bryce, and a national representative ranked with the ablest of his colleagues. He took an active part in the presidential campaign of 1844, and made a brilliant canvass throughout Indiana for his favorite candidate, Henry Clay. On the breaking out of the Mexican War, Mr. Lane at once organized a company, was chosen captain, and later became a major and lieutenant colonel of the regiment, and followed its fortunes until mustered out of the service.

In 1858, Col. Lane was elected to the United States senate, but, owing to opposition on the part of the Democratic senators, he did not take his seat. February 27, 1860, he was nominated by acclamation for governor, and was elected over Hon. Thomas A. Hendricks by a majority of about 1,000 votes. Two days after the delivery of his first message, Governor Lane was elected to the senate of the Untied States. He at once resigned the governorship, the shortest term of office on record in Indiana. In the senate, Mr. Lane did not attain any great distinction, as it was not the place for the exercise of his peculiar talents as an orator, which was better suited to the hustings than to a dignified legislative body. When Col. Lane's senatorial term expired, he returned to his home in Crawfordsville, and never afterward held public office except the appointment of Indiana Commissioner, by President Grant. He was chosen president of the first national convention that assembled in 1856, and nominated John C. Fremont. It is worthy of note that every nomination ever conferred upon his was by acclamation and without opposition in his party. In person, Col. Lane was tall, slender and somewhat stoop shouldered. His face was thin and wore a kindly expression. In his later days, the long beard he wore was white as snow. He moved quickly, and his bearing was that of a cultured man. He departed this life at his home in Crawfordsville, on the 18th day of June 1881.