George M. Lane:

Personal Life

George Motley Lane was born February 11, 1866 in Virginia. [1] He was educated at the Wayland Seminary and at Howard University Law School, was admitted to the Maryland bar in about 1889, and set up shop in Baltimore. [2] His dwelling-place at the time he was admitted to the ranks of the law profession was 1202 Morton Alley, a street parallel to and in between Maryland Avenue and Charles Street. [3]

The 1890's saw Lane become a full-fledged family man, with a wife--the former Mattie Genevieve Nelson--and five children. Lane was married to Mattie Nelson on January 26, 1891 by the Rev. Garnett R. Waller at Trinity Baptist Church on North Pine Street. [4] The bride was born in Essex County, Virginia in 1870 but moved to Baltimore at a very young age. [5] The Lanes produced five children in the 1890's: Everett (born in 1892), Jewett (1893), Maude (1895), Russell (1896), and Bernice (1898). [6] The family was established at 1353 North Carey Street in northwest Baltimore. [7]

But by 1906 Mattie had taken up residence at 1607 Division Street, presumably with the children. [8] Legal records show the Lanes involved in some sort of dispute over real estate with several other people at about this time. [9] The 1907 Baltimore City Directory indicates a temporary reconciliation, as George M. Lane was listed as the head of household for 1607 Division; but by 1908 George had moved on to 1553 North Carey and his residency would fluctuate in the last years of his life, his penultimate abode being 1321 North Carey. [10] The 1910 Census shows Mattie Lane and her five children living at 1607 Division, and George at 1508 Presstman Street, but no mention of marital status occupies the designated column; we can only assume that the Lanes were separated. [11]

Lane obituary
Afro-American Ledger, June 15, 1912

Mattie Lane lived on until 1924. [12] Everett followed in his father's footsteps by becoming a lawyer in Baltimore City, and spent much of his career in partnership with Warner T. McGuinn. [13] Land records from 1925 dividing up the Lane legacy show the Lane progeny scattered far and wide, presumably pursuing educational, professional, and personal goals. [14]

Political Activity

Professional Career

Bibliography

Historic Sites

Return to George M. Lane Introduction

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Return to The Road From Fredrick To Thurgood Introduction


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