Joe R. Lane

As printed in 1910

JOE R. LANE.

There is no problem more difficult than character analysis. Psychic research often fails to clearly elucidate the problem and yet there is no truth more evident as the result of careful and analytical contemplation of successful lives than that results have been achieved through intelligence and energy. What special phases of nature causes a man to take up a certain line or lines of activity it is impossible to determine, but in the execution of a clearly defined purpose it is inevitable that unfaltering energy and intelligent appreciation of opportunity must constitute the vital forces. It is these qualities that have carried Joe R. Lane to the eminent position which he now occupies as a man of notable business sagacity and as a political leader whose wisdom and resourcefulness have enabled him to accomplish seemingly impossible results. His interests are never so self-centered as to exclude active participation in affairs of moment to the community at large, for, on the contrary, he has been an active participant in those activities which have promoted the material, political and social life of the community and which are matters of civic virtue and civic pride.

Mr. Lane was born in Davenport in May, 1858, a son of James T. and Annie J. (Reed) Lane, and a brother of Mrs. lies. His father, who is mentioned elsewhere at length in this volume, was long a representative member of the bar and died in Denver in 1890. Passing through consecutive grades in the public schools, Joe R. Lane eventually became a high-school pupil and later attended Knox College at Galesburg, Illinois, from which he was graduated with the class of 1878. He began preparation for the practice of law as a student in the office of Davison & Lane, of which firm his father was the junior partner. Subsequently he matriculated in the State University Law School, from which he was graduated in 1880, when he became assistant in the office of Davison & Lane, thus continuing until January, 1881, when Charles Davison and Joe Lane, the sons of the respective partners, were admitted to the firm. In the following August, Charles Davison went to North Dakota and in 1889 James T. Lane withdrew from the firm on account of failing health. The relation between the older Davison and Joe R. Lane continued uninterruptedly and in 1893 Charles Davison reentered the partnership, the firm remaining Davison & Lane until 1900, when the death of the senior member occurred, while two years later Charles Davison also passed away. Mr. Lane was left alone to care for an increasing practice that had already brought him distinction as one of the most eminent representatives of the Iowa Bar. Soon afterward he was joined by Judge Waterman, who resigned his position as a member of the Iowa supreme court to enter into partnership relations with Mr. Lane under the firm style of Lane & Waterman. A contemporary writer has said in this connection: "Possibly no higher testimonial to the standing, business value and reputation of the practice which Mr. Lane had helped to upbuild and of which he had become the head could be given than is embodied in Judge Waterman's action. Few positions are more earnestly coveted; none considered higher in judicial dignity; scarcely any offer more assured social position or sure and more commensurate recompense than the supreme judgeship, yet Judge Waterman resigned all these to become Mr. Lane's partner. Comment would be superfluous." The public voice names this firm as the most prominent in Davenport and one of the most distinguished of the state.

It would be difficult to enumerate all the interests which have felt the stimulus of Mr. Lane's cooperation, keen sagacity and liberal business policy! Banking, manufacturing, lumber and real estate are among those interests which have claimed his time and attention and in furthering his individual interest along these lines he has contributed in substantial measure to Davenport's growth and expansion along normal and healthy lines. He is the president of the Joe R. Lane Investment Company, which erected the Lane office building at Third and Main streets; president of the Building Society of the new Commercial Club; a director of the Davenport Hotel Company; vice president and director of the First National Bank of Davenport; and financially interested in numerous other commercial enterprises. His labors have constituted a most important feature in the railroad development of this section, for he was treasurer of the Davenport, Iowa & Dakota Railroad at the time of its construction and was also manager and had charge of the building of the Davenport, Rock Island & Northwestern Railroad bridge, which gave the road entrance to Rock Island and Moline. His realty investments are most extensive and in all of his business connections he has proven himself a man of action rather than of theory.

Moreover, Mr. Lane is recognized as one of the most influential members of the republican party. With full recognition of the duties and obligations as well as the privileges of citizenship, unlike many of the men today who are controlling extensive professional and business interests, he finds time for active participation in public affairs upon which hinge the political stability and welfare of the country. As a political leader he has always put public needs and party benefit before self interests. He has served in the ranks from preference and only held office when it has been clearly shown him that it was a duty which he owed his fellow citizens and for which he could obtain no substitute. Several terms he at in the council as alderman and his labors were always to the advantage of his ward and the city at large. During his term of service in congress, to which he was elected in 1898, he never forgot his allegiance to his state nor his duty to his constituents. He has frequently served as a member of the republican executive committee and always to his party's benefit. He holds decided views on public questions and expresses them clearly, cogently and logically when occasion demands, but it is always the timely word which he speaks. As a diplomat he has cemented party and business fractures, healed internal dissensions in various financial and political ventures and unified and solidified acute divisions in numerous enterprises where to all appearances such action was hopelessly looked upon. As a political leader he has led his party to victory in ward, city, county and state campaigns and added his share to national victories. And all this he has done without claiming individual credit or demanding personal recognition.

Mr. Lane was married in 1881 to Miss Jennie Richardson, a daughter of D. N-. Richardson and a native of Davenport. They have three children: Dick R., who is now associated with the firm of Lane & Waterman; Jeanette, student in St. Katherine's school, a private institution; and Reed, who is attending the Iowa State University Law School. Mr. Lane has attained the highest degrees in Masonry, and is also connected with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He likewise belongs to the Outing Club and the Arsenal Golf Qub. He is a member of the Business Men's Association and a patron of the many public beneficiaries which exist in Davenport. He is without sham or pretense, yet there is not the least shadow of mock modesty about him. He stands as a high type of the American business man and citizen, whose ideals are high, whose methods are practical, who is active and energetic in all public and private work and with laudable ambition for his own success displays a helpful and broadminded interest in public affairs that has constituted his services of wide benefit to the city and state.

As printed in History of Davenport and Scott County Iowa : Illustrated (1910). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.