Biographical Sketch of Joel LANE; Philadelphia Co., PA

Contributed to the PAGenWeb Archives by Diana Smith 
[christillavalley@comcast.net] 

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"Philadelphia, A History of the City and its People; A Record of 225 Years"
Publisher:  S. H. Clark; Philadelphia; 1912.     Vol. IV, page 136
Author, Ellis Paxson Oberholtzer
 
JOEL LANE

     While Joel Lane never sought to figure prominently in any public light, his 
life history is one that contains lessons of value to those who recognize the 
fact that character-building is a thing of utmost importance in the world for, 
as Lincoln has expressed it, "There is something better than making a living -- 
making a life."  Mr. Lane was born in Ridley Park, Pennsylvania, April 23, 1819, 
and his life record covered the intervening years to the 28th of September, 
1884.  The family is of English lineage and was founded in America at an early 
period in the colonization of the new world, representatives of the name 
settling in Chester, Pennsylvania, from which place a removal was later made to 
Ridley Park.  The parents of our subject were William and Elizabeth 
(Shillingford) Lane, of Ridley Park, where the father maintained a country home 
and lived retired.  In the schools of Chester and of his native town Joel Lane 
pursued his education to the age of sixteen years, when he put aside his text-
books.  His elder brothers were engaged in carriage manufacturing at Ridley 
Park, and under their direction Joel Lane learned the business with which he 
became familiar both in principle and detail.  A few years later the brothers 
removed to Philadelphia and built a carriage factory near Front street on 
Market.  Mr. Lane became a partner in the business and so continued until about 
two years prior to his death, when ill health forced his retirement.  The 
enterprise which was built up grew to one of extensive proportions and became 
one of the profitable and productive industries of that section of the state.  
The methods employed in its conduct were such as accorded with the spirit of 
modern business enterprise and progress, and success followed close application 
and intelligently directed labor.

     On the 31st of August, 1848, Mr. Lane was united in marriage to Miss 
Rebecca Pennell, a daughter of James and Mary (Robinson) Pennell, of Chester, 
Pennsylvania, her father being a prominent farmer of that locality.  Her great-
grandfather, William Pennell, came from England to Philadelphia in 1682 with the 
followers of William Penn.  Unto Mr. and Mrs. Lane were born three children:  
Mary E., at home; Anna, the deceased wife of Alexander K. Moore, of this city; 
and Edward P., who has also passed away.

     Mr. Lane was a home-loving man, devoted to the welfare and interests of his 
family.  His political allegiance was given to the republican party and while he 
was frequently tendered the nomination for office, he continually refused to 
become a candidate, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business 
affairs and home interests.  He was very fond of music, was a violin player and 
a member of the choir of the old Asbury church at the corner of Thirty-third and 
Chestnut streets.  While he did not care for public office, he recognized the 
obligations of citizenship and gave the weight of his influence upon the side of 
progress and improvement in those lines which tended to promote the 
intellectual, material, social and moral welfare of the community.