Historical Materials

John J. Babson's History of the Town of Gloucester was published by Procter Brothers in 1860. It provides a brief biography of Lane as well as indicates that Lane drew some of the illustrations for the book; it is unclear whether he drew all or just some.

"Mr. Lane was born Dec. 18, 1804. At the age of eighteen months, while playing in the yard or garden of his father, he ate some of the seeds of the apple-peru; and was so unfortunate as to lose the use of his lower limbs in consequence, owing to late and unskilful medical treatment. He showed in boyhood a talent for drawing and painting; but received no instruction in the rules till he went to Boston, at the age of twenty-eight, to work in Pendleton's lithographic establishment. From that time, his taste and ability were rapidly developed; and, after a residence of several years in Boston, he came back to Gloucester with a reputation fully established. Since his return to his native town, he has painted many pictures, all of which have been much admired. He has often contributed a production of his pencil for the promotion of a benevolent enterprise; and, with characteristic kindness, he furnished the sketches for the engravings in this work."