James Henry Lane
Brigadier General, U.S. Army

James Henry Lane was born on 22 June 1814 in Lawrenceburg, IN, to Amos Lane, lawyer and Democratic representative to Congress. James received a common school education and studied law in his father's office. In 1840, he was admitted to the bar.

In the Mexican War, he served as a Colonel in the 5th Indiana Regiment, which he raised. Lane was elected Lieutenant Governor of Indiana from 1849-53, and from 1853-55 was elected a Democratic member of Congress from Indiana. He emigrated to Kansas in 1855 and became 2nd in command of forces at Lawrence during the "Wakarusa War."

In 1856, he was elected to the U.S. Senate under the Topeka Constitution, the validity of which Congress refused to recognize. He was indicted for treason and left Kansas for a while, returning in August 1856. After Kansas was admitted to the Union in 1861, Lane was elected Senator and left for Washington. Arriving in the capital, Lane immediately raised a company to guard President Lincoln. After the war, he sided with President Andrew Johnson against the Radical Republicans. He made powerful enemies and was soon accused of being involved in fraudulent Indian contracts. Severely depressed while defending himself, and in fragile mental health, he shot himself in 1866.

Death and Burial

James Henry Lane committed suicide on 11 July 1866. He is buried at Oak Hill Cemetery in Lawrence, KS.