William Carr Lane

William Carr Lane ( born December 1, 1789 Fayette County, Pennsylvania, † January 6, 1863 in St. Louis, Missouri ) was an American politician and from 1852 to 1853 Governor of New Mexico Territory.

Early years

William Lane visited the Jefferson and the Dickson College in Pennsylvania. He then studied in Louisville, Kentucky medicine. Subsequently, he was a military surgeon in the U.S. Army. There he was stationed since 1816 at the Fort Harrison. In 1818 he was transferred to the Fort Bellefontaine, west of St. Louis. A year later he resigned from the army and opened his own practice.

Political career

Besides his work as a physician Lane was also active as a member of the Whigs in politics. Between 1823 and 1829, and again from 1837 to 1840 he was mayor of St. Louis. On taking office, the city had about 4,000 inhabitants. In his time the health care system has been improved; the public schools of the city were decorated and paved the streets. At that time also the first town hall was built in St. Louis. After his time as mayor, he was still working as a doctor.

In 1852 Lane by President Millard Fillmore was appointed territorial governor of New Mexico. This office he held for only one year. He then returned to St. Louis, where he continued to work as a doctor. He is also died in January 1863. William Lane was married since 1818 with Mary Ewing, with whom he had three children.