John McLane (1852 - 1911) was born at Lennoxtown, Scotland, but his family moved to Manchester (NH) when McLane was an infant, in 1853. McLane attended Manchester public schools, and apprenticed as a cabinetmaker.

McLane's parents and family moved to Milford (NH) in 1869, but McLane stayed on at Manchester. In 1876 he started McLane Manufacturing Company, which became the largest maker of post office equipment and furniture in North America. McLane's U.S. Mailbox was "standard issue" at post offices throughout the United States for many years.

In 1880 McLane married (Ellen L. Tuck) the daughter of a prominent Concord (NH) family, and the couple soon moved to Milford. At Milford McLane was prominent in local affairs. He represented Milford in the State House of Representatives (1885 - 1887), and then served two terms as President of the State Senate (1891 - 1893, 1893 - 1895) - the first man to achieve this honor. This portrait was painted by Daniel Strain during McLane's first Senate term; when McLane was made governor (served 1905 - 1907) Strain was again called on to paint McLan'es likeness. The portrait of Governor McLane is on the State House Second Floor, together with likenesses of other New Hampshire governors.