BIO: Nicholas Bittinger LANE, M.D., Chambersburg, Franklin County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Abby Bowman

Copyright 2006.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/franklin/
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Medical Men of Franklin County, 1750-1925 by Ambrose Watts Thrush, M.D.;
Chambersburg, Pa.; Medical Society of Franklin County, Page 72-73 
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NICHOLAS BITTINGER LANE, M.D.

1802 – 1853

N. B. Lane was born at Funkstown, now Mont Alto, in 1802 and was a son of Samuel 
and Anna Barbara (Bittinger) Lane.  His grandfather, Peter Lehn, was a native of 
Lorrain and with his family emigrated to Holland and from thence to York County, 
Pennsylvania, in 1755.  Mrs. Harriet Lane Johnson, who presided over the White 
House during the term of her uncle, James Buchanan, as President, belonged to 
the same family.

Nicholas B. Lane as a youth learned the art of surveying, but in 1818 began the 
study of medicine with Dr. S. D. Culbertson in Chambersburg, and was graduated 
M. D. from the University of Pennsylvania, before he was twenty-one years of 
age.  His graduation thesis was published at the request of the faculty of the 
University.

Dr. Lane also acquired skill as a dentist and for thirty years practiced 
medicine in Chambersburg.  His home and office was next door west of the present 
Shook Home for the Aged.  He was an ardent Whig and a great admirer of Henry 
Clay.  His ancestors were Lutherans and he was active in his faith.  He was said 
to be a good dresser, and of rather imposing appearance.

Dr. Lane was the first Recording Secretary of the Medical Society in 1825.  His 
death occurred in 1853, the year of the cholera epidemic in Chambersburg.

His wife was Eliza Hetich, daughter of Thomas Hetich, a prominent citizen of 
Chambersburg.  They became the parents of eleven children, some of whom died in 
infancy.  Two sons, Samuel G. and William C., became physicians.