George Washington Lane, Senior 1873-1956

PROMINENT CIVIC, BUSINESS LEADER

Prominent Pulaski County Resident Had Been In Failing Health For Several Years. Was Former Publisher of Pulaski County Democrat

George Washington Lane, Senior, prominent Pulaski County pioneer, passed away here Friday, January 13 at 1:30 a.m., following a heart attack a few hours previously. He had been in failing health for a number of years.

Mr. Lane had been an active in civil, educational, and political affairs of Pulaski County for 65 years. At one time he dealt extensively in real estate and was considered an authority on tracts of land. He knew the histories of the old families of Pulaski County and could trace them back several generations. He had a keen memory as to names, dates, and places, and was a gifted and interesting conversationalist. He was a militant and outspoken Democrat and stayed faithful to the party to the last.

He was able to be out and about town until he suffered an acute pain in the chest the evening before he passed away the following morning.

He was born in Phelps County, Missouri, September 20, 1873. He died at the age of 82 years, 3 months and 24 days.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jeremiah Ewing Lane and Mary A. (nee Page), one daughter , Hazel Lane Adams, one step-daughter Alleyene Duncan, four sisters, and one brother.

He is survived by his loving wife, Cora A., one daughter, Mrs. Bertie Shultz of Kansas City, one son, George Junior, of the home, one sister, Mrs. Minnie Gray of St. Louis.

He was united in marriage to Cora A. Miller Duncan April 26, 1905.

He graduated from the Waynesville and Dixon schools and later took a course at State Teachers College in Springfield and began teaching at the age of 17, continuing in the profession 12 years.

He was active in Democratic circles for 60 years and was first elected Surveyor of Pulaski County in 1900.

In 1904 he was elected Collector of the Revenue and served two terms. He was also owner and publisher of the Pulaski County Democrat between 1912-1914.

He served as postmaster at Waynesville during the Presidency of Woodrow Wilson. Mr. Lane was Chairman of Democratic Central Committee, member of Congressional and Senatorial Committees, member of the Waynesville School Board, and served as mayor.

In early manhood he was also engaged in the Drug business in Waynesville and throughout his life active in civic and educational affairs.

In 1933 he was appointed, by Gov. Guy B. Park, Assistant Secretary, and later Secretary and Cashier of the Department of Penal Institutions in Jefferson City where he and his family lived ten years.

He was elected Representative of Pulaski County in 1944 and agin in 1946 and served on the following committees: Agriculture, Criminal Justice and Costs, Mines and Mining, and Social Security.

Mr. Lane was a member of the Royal Arch Masons, Chapter 32 at Rolla, the Masonic and I.O.O.F. Orders of Waynesville.

He was truly a man of action and interest in the welfare of his town and county.

He was a devoted husband, a kind and loving father, a faithful friend, and will be missed by his family and host of friends.

His favorite poem, by Tennyson, follows:

Sunset and evening star,
And one clear call for me!
And may there be no moaning of the bar,
When I put out to sea,
But such a tide as moving seems asleep,
Too full for sound and foam,
When that which drew from out the boundless deep
Turns again home.
Twilight and evening bell,
And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell,
When I embark;
For tho' from out our bourne of Time and Place
The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
When I have crossed the bar.

Last rites were conducted Sunday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Waynesville by the Pastor B.R. Tatom assisted by Rev. John L. Hicks and burial was in the Waynesville Memorial Cemetery under the direction of Hedges Funeral Home of Waynesville.

Waynesville Lodge No. 375, of which Mr. Lane was a member, conducted last rites at the graveside. Pall bearers were Leslie A. Smith, Sterling Rollins, Ewell Johnson, LeClair Long, Byron Eldredge, and Kenneth Mitchell.

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