Biography of G. P. Lane - Conway Co, AR *********************************************************** Submitted by: Cathy Barnes Date: 21 Jun 1998 Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm *********************************************************** SOURCE: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Western Arkansas. Goodspeed Publishers, 1891. page 82 G. P. Lane. Many of the business men of Morrilton are young men and the majority of them possess business ability and energy, but none of them are more deserving of favorable mention than the subject of this sketch, Mr. G. P. Lane, Secretary and Manager of the Morrilton Hedge Company, and a member of the firm of M. E. Stout & Co., general merchants at Stout's Landing on the south side of the Arkansas River in Higgins Township. Our subject is a native of Mississippi; was born in 1861; is the second child in a family of three children born to P. S. and Mrs. Harriet Lane; father was a native of Tennessee and mother of Missouri. Father followed the pursuit of planter; was a well known member of the Masonic fraternity, in which he advanced to a high degree, and both he and his worthy wife were active members of the Baptist Church. He died at Carrollton, in 1884. Mrs. Lane now reside sat Morrilton. The other members of the family are two daughters, Lula, wife of A. H. Skillman, who has recently established his home at Morrilton, and Annie, wife of S. E. Shackleford, of Mississippi. Both have married since their residence in Morrilton. G. P. Lane was educated in the high schools at Carrollton, Miss, when, on completing his education in 1879 he began his commercial experience by engaging as clerk. He followed this occupation for two years, and in 1881 started in business for himself at Shell Mound, Miss., when only 20 years of age. He continued in that business for three years, and then retiring he went on the road as salesman, which occupation he followed for two years, when in 1886 with his mother and two sisters, he came to Morrilton, Ark. Here he at once secured employment as bookkeeper for Doyle & Henley, remaining with them for two years. He again went on the road as salesman in the boot and shoe trade, at which he continued till January 1, 1890, when the partnership was formed with Mr. T. P. Stout (his brother-in-law) and the business of M. E. Stout & Co. established. They carry a stock of some $6000, expended in a well- assorted stock of general merchandise, and they do a large cash trade in addition to plantation furnishing. The store is located on Mrs. Stout's plantation, which they are also farming, and have 900 acres in corn and cotton. The plantation is supplied with a steam cotton gin and press and grist mill. They also own a ferry, crossing the river at that point, on which they contemplate putting steam service during the summer. In July, 1889, on the organization of the Morrilton Hedge Company, Mr. Lane became interested as a stockholder. He later acquired a controlling interest in the stock and is now Secretary and manager of the company, which is composed of the most substantial men in Morrilton. Mr. Lane is now pushing the introduction of his beautiful and substantial fence in the nine counties (Conway, Stone, Faulkner, Van Buren, Cleburne, White, Pulaski, Perry and Saline) controlled by the company. In each of these counties some of the leading citizens have placed orders and are well pleased with the present showing. In March, 1889, Mr. Lane was united in marriage to Miss Mamie, the accomplished daughter of Rev. W. C. and Miss Mary E. Stout, and to this union was born December 18, 1889, a son, which was named De Lisle. He is a member of Hermion Lodge, K. of P., No. 28, at Morrilton, and in religious faith belongs to the Missionary Baptist Church, while his estimable wife worships at the Episcopalian Church. Mr. Lane has recently purchased several desirable lots in the West End, on which he contemplates the erection of his permanent residence in the near future. Few men, no older than Mr. Lane, have had his varied and extensive business experience. He began his commercial education at the age of 17 years as a clerk, and has from that time been actively employed in some capacity in mercantile pursuits. This experience he is now using in the management of the business of M. E. Stout & Co., and from the favorable location of that firm's stand, together with his knowledge of its requirements and demands, must result in fortune and success. His office as Manager of the Morrilton Hedge Company also demands much of his time, but he seems able to successfully direct both, and he is living now, an apt illustration of the truth of the quotation: "There is a tide in the affairs of man, Which taken at the flood leads on to fortune." The fortune, though lying in Mr. Lane's future, will be honest labor and well-directed effort.