William Lane

Duane's take

Here's how the official marker tells it, and I'm gonna give it to you straight. Way back in 1843, on the banks of the South Sulphur River, near what we now call Wolfe City, a baby boy came into the world. His name was William Lane.

And that, right there, was a piece of history, because William Lane was the first Anglo-American born in Hunt County. The county was still part of the Republic of Texas at the time. Think about that for a second.

Not the state of Texas. The Republic. That's how far back this story goes.

His father was John W. Lane, one of the commissioners who organized Hunt County itself. So you could say history ran in the family, though I won't say that, because the marker doesn't.

What the marker does say is that the county was practically bein' built around the cradle this boy was sleeping in. When the Civil War came, William Lane served in the Confederate army. He came home, and he made his life in the Vansickle community, four miles southwest of that very marker, and that's where he stayed for the rest of his days.

He married first a woman named Mary E. Hale, and together they had two children. His second wife was Betty Evans.

William Lane lived from 1843 to 1922. First breath drawn in a brand new county, still finding its shape. Last breath drawn just a few miles from where it all began.

What the marker says

(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.