Isaac Lane facts for kids
Isaac Lane (1834–1937) was an important leader in the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church. This church was started by freed slaves in America. Lane College in Jackson, Tennessee was named after him. He helped found this college in 1882.
Who Was Isaac Lane?
Isaac Lane was born on March 4, 1834. He was born in Madison County, Tennessee. At that time, he was a slave on a plantation.
When he was 19, Isaac married Frances Ann Boyce. She was also a slave from a different county. Isaac and Frances had twelve children. Many of their children grew up to be ministers, teachers, and doctors.
A Leader in the Church
After slavery ended, many freed slaves started their own church. This was the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church (CME). In 1870, Isaac Lane quickly became a popular minister in this new church.
In 1873, church leaders chose him to be a bishop. A bishop is a high-ranking leader in the church. He was chosen after another bishop, Richard Vanderhorst, passed away.
Founding Lane College
In 1882, Bishop Lane started a school for the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church. This school was in Jackson, Tennessee. His daughter, Jennie Lane, was the first teacher and principal of the school.
Bishop Lane wanted the school to become a college. To help with this, he chose a white Methodist pastor named Thomas F. Saunders to be the first president. This helped the school gain respect from other colleges.
In 1907, Isaac Lane's son, James Franklin Lane, became the president of Lane College. He led the college for 37 years. Bishop Lane lived a very long life. He passed away in 1937 at the age of 102.
His Lasting Legacy
Isaac Lane is remembered for many things. The college he founded, Lane College, still exists today.
Also, a Merchant Marine ship was named in his honor during World War II. This ship was called the SS Lane Victory. It is still around today in San Pedro, California. You can visit it as a museum ship.
