Joseph Lane | |
|---|---|
.jpg) | |
| 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 | December 14, 1801 Buncombe County, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Died | April 19, 1881 (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.