A long time and useful career was brought to a close early Monday morning when death came to Levi Lane at his home here at one thirty o'clock. Had he lived until July 17, Mr. Lane would have reached his 83rd birthday. Although rather frail for the past two years, Mr. Lane was active as chief of Police of the city until a year ago in April and was up and about until the last few days. The indomitable spirit which always ruled his activities remained unbowed to the end.
He was born in Calis, Maine, on July 17th, 1849 and when he was 3 years old the family moved to Brockway Center, Michigan, where he received his education. In 1874, he came to Oconto, following the life of a woodsman in the virgin forests of this territory for a number of years. His marriage to Miss Anna Flatley was solemnized in 1879 here in Oconto Falls. The young couple made their home in Oconto for about six years where Mr. Lane managed an enterprise for J. Speise, Sr. The family then moved to Oconto Falls, which place has been their home ever since. Always active for the community's good and having a great deal of civic pride, his various occupations were coupled with an honest endeavor for the betterment of public welfare. He became postmaster under the presidential administration of Grover Cleveland, and again under Woodrow Wilson from 1914 to 1925. As a foreman in the wood room of the Falls manufacturing company plant, he rendered efficient service for 25 years.
This period was interspersed with such service as clerk of the Board of Education for six years. He was chief of the City Fire Department for ten years, and Chief of Police until a little over a year ago. Mr. Lane was a large factor in the community's social life. Mr. Lane is survived by his
Three years ago in April, 1929, he and Mrs. lane celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. The high esteem in which Mr. Lane was held by all was beautifully expressed by the large number of floral tributes. Bouquets, baskets of beautiful blossoms, sprays, wreaths etc., without number of personal friends and various organizations, bore mute testimony of the sterling character of this splendid citizens. Services were conducted at the home at 10:30, Wednesday morning by the Rev. P. J. Gromaick, and were very largely attended. The remains were borne to the resting place in the local cemetery by six nephews: Gregory Flatley, Leo Flatley, of Chicago, Sherman Golden of Green Bay, Rollyn Saunders, earl Flowers and Raymond McKeever.
Out of town relatives and friends attending the rites include Mr. and Mrs. Thos. Flatley and son Dan and daughter Irene of Chilton; Stella and Margaret Flatley, Wm. Golden and son Luke, Mr. and Mrs. A. L. Stromberg, son Richard and daughter Joan, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Maurer, Mrs. Ella Golden, Mrs. Deluster, Mrs. T. Donovan, Mrs. Webb Kennedy, Mr. and Mrs. Wittenberg, all of Green Bay; Mrs. D. C. Bordon and son Frank, Mrs. Morris, John Merline, Clarence Davis and Atty. J. R. Chase and Stella Ragen of Oconto; Mrs. Anton Averson, daughter Lene, Mrs. Martin Averson, and D. McDougal of Suring; Mrs. C. Schilke of Gillet, and Mrs. Arthur Maltien of Lena. There were many others from Oconto County present whose names we could not learn.