William Lane
Greenville, Hunt County, Texas
Marker Inscription
(1843-1922) First Anglo-American born in Hunt County, then in Republic of Texas. Birthplace: on South Sulphur, near present Wolfe City. Son of John W. Lane, one of commissioners organizing county. During Civil War, served in Confederate army. Later moved to Vansickle community, 4 mi. SW of this spot, where he spent rest of his life. Married first Mary E. Hale. Had 2 children. His second wife was Betty Evans.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
William Lane was born in 1843 near present Wolfe City, when Hunt County lay within the independent Republic of Texas and Anglo-American families were only beginning to settle its blackland prairies. Remembered as the first Anglo-American child born in the county, he was the son of one of the men who helped organize it. Like many young Texans of his generation, he served in the Confederate army during the Civil War before settling into a long life in the Vansickle community.
Why it matters
His life spans the arc of frontier Texas—from Republic-era settlement through the Civil War—embodied in a single pioneer family.
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Related people
- · William Lane
- · John W. Lane
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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