Compiled by Russell Bastedo
State Curator
1998

John McLane (1905-1907). Born Scotland (Br. Isles); Milford manufacturer. In state politics from 1885.

John McLane's (1852-1911) parents immigrated to America in 1853, when John McLane was one year old. The family came to Manchester (NH), then moved to Milford in 1869. McLane attended Manchester public schools, served an apprenticeship as a cabinetmaker, and in 1876 opened a shop which made post office furniture and equipment. This shop became the largest manufacturer of these items in North America. McLane became a leading figure in Milford. He was a director of Milford Granite Company, a director of Souheagan National Bank, and a director of New Hampshire Fire Insurance Company. He was a member of the Masons (and Grand Mason of The Lodge of New Hampshire in 1898), the Grange, the Odd Fellows, and belonged to the Congregational Church.

McLane represented Milford in the legislature beginning in 1885, and was chairman of the Insurance Committee in the 1887 session. He was elected to the State Senate beginning in 1891, and served both his terms (1891/3, 1893/5) as president of the Senate-the first person to serve two terms in that position. The state Republicans nominated McLane for governor in 1904, and he defeated his opposition handily.

Governor McLane pushed for and got big appropriations for better roads and highways. He testified before a congressional committee in favor of creating the White Mountain National Forest. He welcomed delegates to the Russo-Japanese War Peace Conference held in Portsmouth, New Hampshire during his term in office.

Location: State House, Second Floor
Portrait by Daniel Strain