Cyrus B. Lane became associated in 1913 with Douglas V. Wood in organizing the firm of Wood & Lane, automobile dealers of Walla Walla. Since that time the business has been profitably conducted, their sales having reached a large figure annually.
Mr. Lane was born in Cameron county, Pennsylvania, January 1, 1867, a son of Joseph and Mary (Bearfield) Lane, of whom mention is made in connection with the sketch of John A. Lane on another page of this work. Cyrus B. Lane was a youth of twelve years when he arrived in Walla Walla county on the 26th of June, 1879. His education, begun in the public schools of the east, was continued in the district schools of this section and he was early trained to habits of industry and economy, such as are cultivated in a frontier district. On reaching his twenty-third year he began farming on his own account, having the previous year purchased, in connection with his brother William, a tract of land of two hundred and forty acres. They had nothing with which to equip their farm at the time, but the following year they rented their land to their father and Cyrus B. Lane leased eighty acres adjoining his place, on which he put in a crop. The following year he took over his brother's interest in the purchase which they had previously made and began farming on his own place. There he continued to carry on general agricultural pursuits with substantial success until 1911 and in the meantime he extended the boundaries of his place by additional purchases until he had five hundred and sixty acres of the most valuable wheat land in the Walla Walla valley. In September, 1911, he took up his abode in Walla Walla in order that his children might have the advantages of the public schools of the city, and in the spring of 1913, as he could not content himself without business interests, idleness and indolence being utterly foreign to his nature, he formed a partnership with D. V. Wood and organized the firm of Wood & Lane, who engage in the sale of automobiles, handling the Cadillac, the Oldsmobile, the Maxwell and the White cars and also operating one of the largest and best equipped garages in the city. Their business has reached such magnitude that they have outgrown their present quarters and will of necessity have to have larger space. Mr. Lane is also a stockholder in the People's State Bank of Walla Walla.
On the 25th of October, 1891, Mr. Lane was united in marriage to Miss Frances E. Kennedy, a daughter of Louis Kennedy, who came to Walla Walla county from Illinois in 1879. They have become the parents of seven children, namely: Inez, Elsie, Joseph, Harold, Delora, Glen and Dale. All are still at home.
In politics Mr. Lane is an independent republican. He has served repeatedly as a delegate to county conventions and has always refused to become a candidate for office, preferring that his public service shall be done as a private citizen. He belongs to Trinity Lodge, No. 121, I. O. O. F., to the encampment and to the Rebekahs, and his wife and two eldest daughters are also connected with the Rebekahs. Mrs. Lane is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, while her daughters hold membership in the Christian church. The social position of the family is one of prominence and the hospitality of the best homes of Walla Walla is freely accorded them. Mr. Lane has made for himself a creditable position in business circles and is now controlling interests which are constantly growing in volume, bringing to him well deserved success.
FRANTZ S. ROMAINE.
Frantz S. Romaine, who resides two miles north of Dayton, is numbered among the well known farmers and stock raisers of Columbia county. He was born in Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, September 1, 1862, a son of Garrit and Martha Romaine, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. He was brought to Old Walla Walla county, Washington, in his childhood and received his education in its pioneer schools. He remained at home until he attained his majority and then began working as a laborer, so continuing for five years. At the end of that time he invested his savings in land and for a long period his time and attention were taken up with the operation of that place. However, in 1905 he sold that property and bought his present farm, which comprises two hundred and sixty-five acres. Since the place has come into his possession he has erected thereon excellent buildings of modern design and otherwise improved it. He also leases land and farms in all about one thousand acres, part of which is pasture and part wheat land. He is systematic in his work and believes firmly that in the twentieth century the farmer cannot afford to do other than manage his affairs in accordance with the most approved business principles.
On December 25, 1887, Mr. Romaine was married to Miss Elizabeth Knight, who was born in 1865 while her parents were crossing the plains on their way to the Pacific coast country. They were William and Damie (Ward) Knight, natives of Missouri. On removing to the west they took up their residence in Lamar, Washington, where both passed away. To Mr. and Mrs. Romaine have been born five children, namely: Amy E., the wife of L. B. Harris, who is a high school graduate and is teaching school at Starbuck; Earl E., who died at the age of eleven years; Cecil L., who is a high school graduate and is the wife of Jesse Courtney; William C., a resident of Dayton; and Ella Ward G., at home.
