Lane, Joseph, 1801–81, American general in the Mexican War and territorial governor of Oregon, b. Buncombe co., N.C. In the Mexican War he commanded a brigade under Gen. Zachary Taylor at Buena Vista, later received a brevet major generalship for his gallantry in action, and emerged one of the heroes of the war. In 1848 he was commissioned governor of the newly organized Oregon Territory and superintendent of Indian affairs there. Arriving in Mar., 1849, he traveled through the territory settling matters between natives and whites. He prepared for Congress one of the most complete reports on record of the Native Americans of the region. After resigning as governor in 1850, he became territorial delegate to the U.S. Congress (1851–59) and later served (1859–61) as one of Oregon's first U.S. Senators. In 1853 he led the settlers against the indigenous people of the Rogue region, defeated them, and concluded a peace treaty. He was known for his prosecessionist position. In 1860, he ran for vice president on J. C. Breckinridge's ticket.
See study by J. E. Hendrickson (1967).
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