Charles W. Lane, Smith Co., TX., then Caddo Parish, Louisiana

Submitted by Mike Miller
Date: 1999-2000




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Charles W. Lane.  A man of wealth and influence, Charles W. Lane, of 

Shreveport, is one of the ablest business men of Louisiana.  Yet in 

the interesting personal history of Mr. Lane there is no background 

picture showing inherited fortune advantageous environment or influential 

friends to explain his acquirement of financial independence and 

wide-spread importance.  Far from it.  Mr. Lane is a self-made man 

and owes to no other agencies than his own courageous, determined 

efforts the important place he now fills in the business world, and 

the sturdy character that has brought him the respect, confidence and 

personal esteem that men prize among the worth while things of life.



Charles W. Lane, capitalist, merchant, banker, planter and oil operator, 

was born at Tyler, Smith County, Texas, October 15, 1862.  He was left 

an orphan in early boyhood, at the age of thirteen years finding himself 

alone and entirely dependent upon his own efforts, even in the matter 

of education, for he had first to earn the money with which to defray 

the costs of his schooling.



A half century ago the devastating effects of the Civil war were still 

felt, and, while kind, hospitable people lived in Louisiana, as they 

do now, there were not so many who could offer assistance and employment 

to even the most willing and ambitious of youths, but his search was 

finally successful and he was accepted as a clerk in a store in the 

City of Shreveport.  Although his salary was the modest one of $25 00 

a month, he adjusted his needs to it, and it may be said that right 

then and there he entered upon his business career, with the same spirit 

of courage and determination that in later years has enabled him on 

many occasions to overcome business difficulties, entering upon his 

humble duties and performing them with honesty and efficiency.  He 

interested himself in every detail of the store business and perfected 

his mercantile knowledge later while on the road for four years as a 

traveling salesman for a responsible firm in the City of Shreveport.



In the meantime Mr. Lane's education had not been entirely neglected.  

Seeking knowledge as best he could through night school and reading, he 

persevered and saved his earnings and invested them in arm education, 

and was air outstanding figure in his classes, acquiring knowledge that 

was to carry him through life.  He continued through early manhood to he 

connected with the mercantile business, which proved to be one of the 

foundation stones of his fortune.  At the present time lie is at the head 

of a chain of general merchandise stores at points in Louisiana and Arkansas.



In 1904 Mr. Lane returned to Shreveport, and for twenty years of a busy 

life has been one of the city's most public-spirited arid enterprising 

citizens.  Not only has he founded enterprises of substantial character 

of his own, hut he has associated others with him in a business way, 

especially his employes, some of whom are now sharing in his prosperity.  

He has been one of the leaders in the substantial upbuilding of the City 

of Shreveport in a material way, owning a large amount of improved real 

estate here, and in partnership with T. K. Giddens, forming the Giddens-

Lane Company, built and owns the Giddens-Lane Building, a modern ten-story 

structure, one of the finest in the entire South.  He is a member of the 

board of Directors of the First National Bank of Shreveport owns and operates 

several large plantations, and is extensively interested in oil lands, oil 

leases and investments in both Louisiana and Arkansas.  In all his numerous 

and solid business undertakings his courage, progressive spirit and sound 

judgment have made him chosen as a leader by his associates and with the 

result that he has not only furthered his own fortunes hut has materially 

assisted others to the same end.



On October 15, 1889, Mr. Lane married Miss Addie Noel, daughter of the late 

James S. Noel, an affluent and generous citizen of Caddo Parish, Louisiana, 

who was the donor of the Noel Memorial Church, Shreveport.  To this union 

have been born five children:  Frances Elvira Lane-Glassell ;  Addie May, 

wife of Dr. E. A. Sartor;  Miss Jennie M. Lane;  Elizabeth Lane, wife of 

Dayton Waller, of Shreveport, and  Charles W. Lane, Jr., now a student at 

Rice Institute, Houston, Texas.



The story of the lives of successful men who, without other aid than their 

own determination and tireless energy achieve substantial success, furnishes 

both an example and an inspiration to the youth of today.  Such records 

stand forth as beacon lights upon life's pathway, and point the real dignity 

and worth of human existence.



From the humble surroundings of his youth, Mr. Lane has risen to a commanding 

position of prominence in the business and financial world, and is numbered 

today among the millionaire capitalists of North Louisiana.  In the attainment 

of these results his efforts have always been directed along creative and 

constructive lines, and his success has not come as the price of another's 

downfall.  Possessed of a keen sense of analysis and clear vision.  He has 

been quick to visualize possibilities, and has grasped opportunities which

others might easily overlook, and it may be said of him in the fullest sense 

that he has been the builder of his own fortune.



Mr. Lane is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and is president 

of the Board of Trustees of Noel Memorial, as well as an active member of the 

Board of Stewards.  He is a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason and a 

Noble of the Mystic Shrine.  While the magnitude of his business affairs 

have made heavy demands upon his time and attention he has served his community 

for eight years in the past as a member of the Caddo Levee Board, a position 

he accepted under appointment from the late Governor N. C. Blanchard.  His 

slogan has always been: Honesty, Thrift and Economy.



NOTE:  The referenced source contains a black and white photograph of the 

subject with his/her autograph.



A History of Louisiana, (vol. 2), pp. 35-36, by Henry E. Chambers.  

Published by The American Historical Society, Inc., Chicago and New York, 1925.