Harry Lane
Encyclopedia
Harry Lane was an American physician and politician in the state of Oregon
. A native of the state, he worked as the head of the state insane asylum before entering local politics and served as mayor of Portland
. A Democrat, he then served as United States Senator from 1913 until his death in 1917.
on August 28, 1855, son of Eliza Jane and Nathaniel Lane. He was the grandson of Oregon politician Joseph Lane
and a nephew of Oregon U.S. Representative Lafayette Lane
. After attending the local schools he attended Willamette University
in Salem
where he graduated in 1876. In 1878, he earned a medical degree from Willamette's medical school
and then continued his medical education with postgraduate work at the College of Physicians and Surgeons
in New York City
.
. In 1887, Lane became the superintendent of the Oregon State Insane Asylum (now the Oregon State Hospital), remaining as the director of the facility until 1891. He also was the Oregon Medical Society's president.
, he advocated for a "permanent rose carnival", leading him to be called the "Father of the Portland Rose Festival
", which continues today. Also on April 1, 1908 he swore in Lola Baldwin as the first female police officer of the Portland Police Bureau (and the first in the United States). In 1912, he was elected to the United States Senate
as a Democrat and began serving on March 4, 1913. Lane was the last Senator from Oregon elected by the Oregon Legislative Assembly
.
While in Congress he served on the Committee on Forest Reservations and Game Protection
and the Committee on Fisheries. During World War I
he opposed U.S. involvement
in the war, and took action in Washington to prevent U.S. support to eventual allies Great Britain and France. These actions, including participating in a filibuster
to block passage of the Armed Neutrality Bill, led to calls for his recall from office by Oregonians in March 1917. Before any recall, Lane suffered a nervous breakdown
and died in office while in San Francisco on May 23, 1917. Harry Lane was buried at Lone Fir Cemetery in Portland and Charles L. McNary
was appointed to finish Lane's term.
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
. A native of the state, he worked as the head of the state insane asylum before entering local politics and served as mayor of Portland
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
. A Democrat, he then served as United States Senator from 1913 until his death in 1917.
Early life and education
Harry Lane was born in Corvallis, OregonCorvallis, Oregon
Corvallis is a city located in central western Oregon, United States. It is the county seat of Benton County and the principal city of the Corvallis, Oregon Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses all of Benton County. As of the 2010 United States Census, the population was 54,462....
on August 28, 1855, son of Eliza Jane and Nathaniel Lane. He was the grandson of Oregon politician Joseph Lane
Joseph Lane
Joseph Lane was an American general during the Mexican-American War and a United States Senator from Oregon.-Early life:...
and a nephew of Oregon U.S. Representative Lafayette Lane
Lafayette Lane
Lafayette Lane was a Representative from the U.S. state of Oregon. He was the son of Oregon Senator Joseph Lane and an uncle of future Oregon Senator Harry Lane.-Early life:...
. After attending the local schools he attended Willamette University
Willamette University
Willamette University is an American private institution of higher learning located in Salem, Oregon. Founded in 1842, it is the oldest university in the Western United States. Willamette is a member of the Annapolis Group of colleges, and is made up of an undergraduate College of Liberal Arts and...
in Salem
Salem, Oregon
Salem is the capital of the U.S. state of Oregon, and the county seat of Marion County. It is located in the center of the Willamette Valley alongside the Willamette River, which runs north through the city. The river forms the boundary between Marion and Polk counties, and the city neighborhood...
where he graduated in 1876. In 1878, he earned a medical degree from Willamette's medical school
Willamette University College of Medicine
Willamette University College of Medicine is a former school of medicine that was part of Willamette University. Founded in 1867 as the first medical school in Oregon, the school relocated between Portland and the main university campus in Salem several times. Eventually the school was merged with...
and then continued his medical education with postgraduate work at the College of Physicians and Surgeons
Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons
Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, often known as P&S, is a graduate school of Columbia University that is located on the health sciences campus in the Washington Heights neighborhood of Manhattan...
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
.
Medical career
Lane returned to the West Coast after completing his education in New York and began a medical practice in San Francisco. He returned to Oregon and practiced medicine in PortlandPortland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
. In 1887, Lane became the superintendent of the Oregon State Insane Asylum (now the Oregon State Hospital), remaining as the director of the facility until 1891. He also was the Oregon Medical Society's president.
Political career
In 1905, he was elected mayor of Portland and served one four-year term. While mayor, at the end of the Lewis and Clark Centennial ExpositionLewis and Clark Centennial Exposition
The Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition, commonly also known as the Lewis and Clark Exposition, and officially known as the Lewis and Clark Centennial American Pacific Exposition and Oriental Fair, was a worldwide exposition held in Portland, Oregon, United States in 1905 to celebrate the...
, he advocated for a "permanent rose carnival", leading him to be called the "Father of the Portland Rose Festival
Portland Rose Festival
The Portland Rose Festival is an annual civic festival held during the month of June in Portland, Oregon. It is organized by the volunteer non-profit Portland Rose Festival Association with the purpose of promoting the Portland region...
", which continues today. Also on April 1, 1908 he swore in Lola Baldwin as the first female police officer of the Portland Police Bureau (and the first in the United States). In 1912, he was elected to the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
as a Democrat and began serving on March 4, 1913. Lane was the last Senator from Oregon elected by the Oregon Legislative Assembly
Oregon Legislative Assembly
The Oregon Legislative Assembly is the state legislature for the U.S. state of Oregon. The Legislative Assembly is bicameral, consisting of an upper and lower house: the Senate, whose 30 members are elected to serve four-year terms; and the House of Representatives, with 60 members elected to...
.
While in Congress he served on the Committee on Forest Reservations and Game Protection
United States Senate Committee on Forest Reservations and the Protection of Game
The Senate Committee on Forest Reservations and the Protection of Game is a defunct committee of the United States Senate. It was established on March 19, 1896 and was terminated April 18, 1921, when its functions were transferred to the Committee on Agriculture and Forestry...
and the Committee on Fisheries. During World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
he opposed U.S. involvement
Opposition to World War I
Opposition to World War I was mainly by left-wing groups, but there was also opposition by Christian pacifist and nationalist groups.The trade union and socialist movements had declared before the war their determined opposition to a war which they said could only mean workers killing each other in...
in the war, and took action in Washington to prevent U.S. support to eventual allies Great Britain and France. These actions, including participating in a filibuster
Filibuster
A filibuster is a type of parliamentary procedure. Specifically, it is the right of an individual to extend debate, allowing a lone member to delay or entirely prevent a vote on a given proposal...
to block passage of the Armed Neutrality Bill, led to calls for his recall from office by Oregonians in March 1917. Before any recall, Lane suffered a nervous breakdown
Nervous breakdown
Mental breakdown is a non-medical term used to describe an acute, time-limited phase of a specific disorder that presents primarily with features of depression or anxiety.-Definition:...
and died in office while in San Francisco on May 23, 1917. Harry Lane was buried at Lone Fir Cemetery in Portland and Charles L. McNary
Charles L. McNary
Charles Linza McNary was a United States Republican politician from Oregon. He served in the Senate from 1917 to 1944, and was Senate Minority Leader from 1933 to 1944. In the Senate, McNary helped to pass legislation that led to the construction of Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River, and worked...
was appointed to finish Lane's term.