FRED LANE, a representative of the financial interests of Callahan county, being the efficient and popular cashier of the Home National Bank at Baird, was born in Newburn, Pulaski county, Virginia, November 18, 1869. His father, J. E. W. Lane, the present county treasurer of Callahan county, is also a Virginian by birth, as was his wife, who bore the maiden name of Harriett Fleeman, who died in Callahan county in 1889. The year 1875 witnessed the arrival of the family in Texas and they have been continuous residents of the state to the present day. Their first location was at Dallas, the Texas & Pacific Railroad having been completed and put in operation that far. The father, a cabinet maker by trade, followed his chosen pursuit two years, his residence in the county, however, covering about four years. Subsequently he removed to Weatherford, where he entered the employ of the Texas & Pacific Railroad in the bridge and building department, the line at that time being in process of construction west of that place. When three years had passed he came to Baird, Callahan county, arriving here in 1883 and this place has since been the home of the family. Mr. Lane has become active and influential in the public life of the county and his fellow townsmen have given tangible evidence of their trust in him by electing him to the office of county treasurer, in which position he is now serving.
Fred Lane, whose name introduces this record, acquired the greater part of his education through private reading and study. He entered business life at Weatherford as a salesman in the book store of A. J. Stanger, now a prominent merchant of that place. When the family came to Baird Fred Lane accepted a position as messenger boy for the Western Union Telegraph Company and also acted as newsboy, selling the daily papers on the streets of this city. He afterward secured a situation with S. L. and A. M. Robertson, general merchants, with whom he continued for about three years. He then attended the public schools in Baird for a short time and afterward entered the store of T. E. Powell, with whom he remained as a most trusted and capable empolye[e] for six years, save for a very brief interval in which he was a student in the college at Belle Plain, Texas. In 1890 his connection with the banking business was begun in the capacity of bookkeeper in the First National Bank of Baird. There his fidelity, close application and ability won him recognition and he was advanced until he became assistant cashier. When the Home National Bank was organized in Baird in 1900 Mr. Lane was offered a position as cashier of the bank, in which capacity he is now serving. He is also one of its stockholders and directors. He has a thorough understanding of the banking business and his obliging manner and courteous treatment of the patrons of the institution, as well as his executive force and enterprise, have contributed in no small degree to the success of the institution.
In January, 1891, Mr. Lane was united in marriage to Miss Susie C. Trent, daughter of John Trent, one of the earliest settlers of Callahan county. In their family are five children, three sons and two daughters, namely: Fred, Arthur, Bessie, Corinne and Trent. Mr. Lane has been a consistent member of the Methodist church, South since 1888 and is also a Mason, having taken the degrees of the lodge and chapter. In municipal affairs at Baird he is deeply interested and his co-operation has been a resultant factor in the promotion of many interests for general progress. He has been treasurer of the city for the past eight or nine years and well merit’s the trust that is uniformly accorded him. His business positions have come to him unsolicited, his employers recognizing his worth and ability. He is regarded as one of the most deserving young men of western Texas. Starting out in life amid humble surroundings, willing to perform any work that would yield him an honest living and showing a strong and commendable disposition to help himself, he won the interest and attention of others and gained advancement and promotion from time to time. His leisure moments have been largely devoted to study and investigation and he has kept in close touch with the progress of the world and the history of business development. His latent powers have been called forth in his business career and he has gained an enviable position in financial circles.
Source: B. B. Paddock, History and Biographical Record of North and West Texas (Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1906), Vol. II, pp. 429-430.