Joseph Lane (1801 - 1881) was an American general during the Mexican War and a U.S. Senator from Oregon. Lane was born in Buncombe County, North Carolina on December 14, 1801. He moved to Kentucky at a young age, and then moved to Indiana, where he was engaged in farming for a while. While in Indiana, he served in the State House of Representatives and the State Senate.
At the outbreak of hostilities with Mexico, Lane was appointed colonel of the 2nd Indiana Volunteer Regiment and served along the border. The same year he was appointed brigadier general of volunteers and commanded the Indiana Brigade at the Battle of Buena Vista. After the battle he was appointed major general of volunteers and led the relief force which lifted the Siege of Puebla defeating Antonio López de Santa Anna at the Battle of Huamantla along the way.
He was appointed by President James Polk as governor of Oregon Territory from 1848-1850, and as superintendent of Indian affairs there. He was the vice presidential nominee of the southern wing of the Democratic Party in 1860. He also served in the United States Senate, representing Oregon from 1859 to 1861.
He retired to his home in Roseburg, Oregon which is now a museum kept in historical conditions and open to the public.
Preceded by: George Abernethy* Governor of Oregon Territory 1848-1850, 1853 Succeeded by: 'Kintzing Prichette (1850) George Law Curry (1853)' Preceded by: Samuel Thurston Delegate representing Oregon Territory to U.S. Congress 1851-1853 Succeeded by: none Preceded by: John C. Breckinridge Democratic Party vice presidential candidate** 1860 (lost) Succeeded by: George Hunt Pendleton * George Abernethy served as head of the Oregon Territory's provisional government before official territorial status was granted by Congress in 1848. ** The Democratic party split in 1860, producing two vice presidential candidates. Lane was nominated by Southern Democrats; Herschel Vespasian Johnson was nominated by Northern Democrats. United States Democratic Party Vice Presidential Nominees Calhoun • Van Buren • R Johnson • Dallas • Butler • King • Breckinridge • H Johnson/Lane(SD), Pendleton • Blair • Brown • Hendricks • English • Hendricks • Thurman • Stevenson • Sewall • Stevenson • Davis • Kern • Marshall • Roosevelt • Bryan • Robinson • Garner • Wallace • Truman • Barkley • Sparkman • Kefauver • L Johnson • Humphrey • Muskie • Eagleton/Shriver • Mondale • Ferraro • Bentsen • Gore • Lieberman • Edwards
