US Diplomat. The son of Congressman and diplomat James Wilson, he graduated from Wabash College in 1879, studied law, and practiced as an attorney before moving to Lafayette, Indiana to become owner and publisher of the Lafayette Journal newspaper. In 1885 he moved to Spokane, Washington, where he practiced law and was active in banking and real estate until losing his capital during the Panic of 1893. An active Republican involved in the campaigns of his brother Senator John Lockwood Wilson, in 1897 he was appointed US Minister to Chile, where he served until 1904, when he was named Minister to Belgium. In 1910 Wilson was named Ambassador to Mexico, where he served until returning to Indiana in 1913. In Mexico during a period of unrest, Wilson was known as an opponent of President Francisco Madero, and Victoriano Huerta and Porfirio Diaz met in his office to sign the agreement by which they agreed to overthrow Madero and name Huerta President. After Madero's government fell Lane returned home to Indiana. During World War I, he served as President of the Indiana branch of the League to Enforce Peace, but left because he did not agree with its goal of establishing the League of Nations. In the 1920s he served as a consultant to US oil companies doing business in Latin America, and he published a memoir, 1927's "Diplomatic Episodes in Mexico, Belgium, and Chile".
US Diplomat. The son of Congressman and diplomat James Wilson, he graduated from Wabash College in 1879, studied law, and practiced as an attorney before moving to Lafayette, Indiana to become owner and publisher of the Lafayette Journal newspaper. In 1885 he moved to Spokane, Washington, where he practiced law and was active in banking and real estate until losing his capital during the Panic of 1893. An active Republican involved in the campaigns of his brother Senator John Lockwood Wilson, in 1897 he was appointed US Minister to Chile, where he served until 1904, when he was named Minister to Belgium. In 1910 Wilson was named Ambassador to Mexico, where he served until returning to Indiana in 1913. In Mexico during a period of unrest, Wilson was known as an opponent of President Francisco Madero, and Victoriano Huerta and Porfirio Diaz met in his office to sign the agreement by which they agreed to overthrow Madero and name Huerta President. After Madero's government fell Lane returned home to Indiana. During World War I, he served as President of the Indiana branch of the League to Enforce Peace, but left because he did not agree with its goal of establishing the League of Nations. In the 1920s he served as a consultant to US oil companies doing business in Latin America, and he published a memoir, 1927's "Diplomatic Episodes in Mexico, Belgium, and Chile".
Bio by: Bill McKern
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