Salem Pioneer Cemetery ~ Melvin G. Lane ~ part of the Marion County Pioneer Cemeteries of Oregon
Melvin G. Lane
LAST NAME: Lane FIRST NAME: Melvin MIDDLE NAME: G. NICKNAME: 
MAIDEN NAME:  AKA 1:  AKA 2:  AKA 3: 
TITLE: Prof. GENDER: M MILITARY: Civil War
BORN: 1826 DIED: 31 Dec 1889 BURIED: 1 Jan 1890
ETHNICITY:   OCCUPATION:  Educator, Principal Chemawa school
BIRTH PLACE:  Washington Co., Pennsylvania
DEATH PLACE: South Salem, Marion Co., Oregon
NOTES: 
IOOF -- M. G. Lane, died in South Salem of heart disease, was a teacher at the Indian school.
See Also: Marion Co., Probate File #1189.
OBITUARY: 
SAD AND SUDDEN DEATH. 
Prof. M. G. Lane, Principal of Chemawa Indian School, Dies in This City. 
About 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon the word was given out that Prof. M. G. Lane, for several years a leading educator in Marion county and since last summer principal teacher at the Indian Training school near this city, was not expected to live and was then unconscious. 
It was like a thunderbolt from a clear sky among his many friends throughout the city, who had seen him on the streets with his wonted friendly smile only last Saturday. But the signs were only too faithful and by a little after 5 o'clock he had breathed his last--had passed to that eternal shore where it is hoped his kindness of heart, his generous nature, his patriotic life and his long labors in the elevation of human family will win for his name a place alongside Abou Ben Adheim's, for if ever a man was imbued with a desire for the welfare of his fellow-man, M. G. Lane was. 
The professor was born in 1826 in Washington county, Pennsylvania, where he spent his early life and received his education. He afterward went to Kentucky, where he taught school some years in Fleming and other counties and was recognized as a most superior worker in the noble profession. He afterward moved westward, settling in Morgan county, Illinois, where he distinguished himself in the same line, and was married on the 28th of July, 1861 to Sarah A. Cawood, who preceded him across the dark river the 20th of last April. He enlisted for the war of the rebellion in the 101st Illinois infantry and served during the struggle with honor and distinction. He came to Oregon in 1876, settling in this county, and at once took front rank among the ablest teachers of the country. He taught in several schools in the Waldo Hills until a few years ago. He was elected principal of the South Salem school, a position he filled with high merit until last spring, when he declined re-election. During the past summer he was appointed by the government to be principal teacher at the Indian Training school near this city, and this institution will sadly miss his efficient services, which were beginning to show their beneficial impress upon the dusky wards of the nation. 
Since the death of his beloved companion in April, Mr. Lane has been gradually failing and his close friends have been noticing it with pain and anxiety, but his final collapse was not looked for so soon or so suddenly. It is thought that his recent trip to the institute at Corvallis, the excitement incident thereto (as he was always heart and soul in whatever he was doing) and the inclement weather to which he was exposed in riding there and back, and waiting at depots were the direct causes leading to his prostration. He was taken ill Sunday evening, but his physicians did not consider the attack serious until yesterday afternoon, when his great intellect gave way and the physical organization which had been failing for some time, showed unmistakable signs of final dissolution. Melvin G. Lane was a man of exceedingly fine abilities--a star in the educational, oratorical or political field. He was an uncompromising enemy to all creeds which he considered inimical to the best interests of a great, united, prosperous and powerful United States, and his magnificent voice could always be depended upon in favor of liberty, patriotism, and home protection. He was an elder brother of James G. Blaine and was endowed with many of the gifts that have made that great man famous and beloved. He was also a great admirer of his brother and had a deep seated ambition to see him president. He went east in 1884 and mapped out the great campaign of speech making by Mr. Blaine which marked that year as the most brilliant political epoch in our national history. During his declining years Mr. Blaine has been of material financial assistance to him and it was through that Mr. Blaine's influence that he was appointed teacher at Chemawa, his shattered health preventing his being placed in a position requiring more active services. 
There is genuine and universal grief today over his demise, and this will spread wherever he is known. His only son, Melvin C. Lane, is married and resides here, and the blow falls heavily upon him. The suddenness of the calamity makes it all the harder to bear, and he feels the loss of mother and father in such a short time sorely. He has the earnest sympathy of the entire community. The funeral will take place to-morrow (Wednesday) afternoon at 2 o'clock, and interment in the Odd Fellows' Rural cemetery, where many a silent tear will be dropped by those who knew him best and esteemed him for his many good qualities of head and heart. 
Weekly Oregon Statesman 3 January 1890 21:3 

LAID TO REST. 
A large concourse of people assembled at the South Salem church yesterday afternoon to pay the last tribute of respect to Prof. Melvin G. Lane. Owing to the illness of Rev. W. Rollins, Rev. H. A. Newell of the Presbyterian church, was called and officiated at the services, which were very impressive. By request of Mr. Newell, State Superintendent McElroy, a long time friend of the deceased, who knew his worth to the cause of education and good government, delivered a short biography and eulogy, after which the body was borne to the I.O.O.F. Rural cemetery, followed by a long procession of sorrowing friends and acquaintances, and all that was mortal of the statesman, teacher and orator was laid to rest beside the remains of his wife deposited there last April. May his life beyond be sweet and peaceful. 
Oregon Statesman 2 Jan 1890 4:3
INSCRIPTION: 

No marker

SOURCES: 
IOOF Register of Burials 
WOS 3 January 1890 21:3 
OS 2 Jan 1890 4:3 
OS 1 Jan 1891 (Necrological listing)
CONTACTS: 
LOT: 180 SPACE: N½ LONGITUDE:  LATITUDE: