Coopersville Observer, May 21, 1926 Coopersville Veteran Proved a Hero in Decisive Battles George Lane George Lane, son of Obadiah and Debbie Jane Lane, was born in Canada, July 2, 1840. He moved with his parents to Michigan at the age of seven, the family locating in Keone Township, Ionia County. When but sixteen years of age he came to Polkton Township where he was employed by Sylvester Jackson, one of the earliest settlers in this vicinity. His marriage on May 10, 1860, marked the culmination of a romance begun in childhood. Helen Bright, the little daughter of the new step-mother, came into the family when George was but a small lad and the two children became rare companions. The friendship thus fostered, ripened into love and the step-brother and step-sister were united in marriage. One son, Lewis F. Lane, was born to this union. December 25, 1869, he was married to Augusta Lawton. To this union there was born one daughter, Mrs. Sarah Slaughter. When the Civil War broke out, Mr. Lane, now living in Ionia County, answered his country’s call for volunteers. He enlisted at Ionia in the Second Independent Company of Michigan Sharpshooters. He was in nine different major engagements, some of them being the most crucial ones of the war, such as the battles of Spotsylvania Courthouse, The Wilderness, Petersburg and Cold Harbor. He and his brother, Andrew, because of their fine physiques, were often given the post of color bearer. He was wounded twice, once at the Battle of the Wilderness and again at the three day engagement of Weldon’s Railroad. At the Battle of Spotsylvania Courthouse, where the bullets were flying thickest, the color bearer was killed. Before the flag touched the ground, it was seized by Mr. Lane and carried up the hill in the face of the storm of lead, and planted on the fortification. The battle was won in a short time after this. His comrade, David Reynolds, of Grand Rapids, who was an eye witness to this act, grows enthusiastic, even as he tells this story of his friend’s bravery. It was indeed an act that will always be treasured as a sacred memory in the hearts of his friends. Of the 112 men In the company with Mr. Lane who went into this battle, there are now only three living. Mr. Lane received honorable discharge July 26, 1865 at the Delaney House, D. C. and returned to Ionia County, Michigan. For number of years he lived on a farm one mile north of the Jackson schoolhouse. This farm was a part of the primeval wilderness, and the same sturdy qualities that made Mr. Lane a good soldier were brought into play in the pioneer’s fight to subdue the land. For about twenty-five years he has resided in Coopersville. His wife passed away about fifteen years ago. His health failing with advancing age, his daughter and her husband have lived with him to care for him. His mental faculties remained keen and alert to the end. On Friday, May 7th, he suffered a stroke of apoplexy. A second one came on Sunday and he passed away at 3:30 Monday afternoon. Three brothers and one sister have preceded him in death. There are four sisters living; Mrs. Jane Hamilton of Coopersville, Mrs. Laura Jenkins and Mrs. Julia Lee, both of Saranac, and Mrs. Minerva Bradford of Belding. He is survived by one son, Lewis F. Lane of Grand Rapids; one daughter, Mrs. Sarah Slaughter of this place; one grandson, George Ivan Lane and one great-grandson, George Louis Lane. Funeral services were held in the home Thursday afternoon, May 13, at two o’clock, Rev. C. S. Jenkins officiating. Members of the G. A. R. were present to pay their last respects to their dead comrade. The Masonic Lodge of which he was a charter member, conducted the services at the cemetery. (Buried in Coopersville Cemetery)