Obituary from the Southern Christian Advocate, August 17, 1899 issue, Vol 63 #9 pg 9 col 2
from the Sandor Teszler Library of Wofford College:
Lane
Stephen D Lane was born in Marion County near the Marlboro line and the Great Pee Dee River, June 21, 1833, and died near the place of his birth July 5th, 1899. He was reared by pious parents and when quite young he joined the Methodist Church and remained a consistent and influential member til the day of his death. He was most soundly converted at a protracted meeting held at Dothan Church in September, 1865, by Dr Robert C Bethea, a local preacher from Mississippi, who was reared in this county, but who returned here that year on a visit to his kindred and held a most wonderful meeting at Dothan. Many of the older men and women of this section date their conversion at that same great revival.
Capt. Lane was twice married, first to Miss Sarepta Deer, in 1855, His second was Miss Flora J Bethea, a daughter of the sainted Rev Samuel J Bethea, to whom he was married November 28, 1865.
When the tocsin of war sounded in 1861 he left his young wife and volunteered in Co D, Twenty-fifth South Carolina Regiment, and faithfully discharged his duties as an humble private till near the close of the war, when he was captured and remained in a Northern prison till after the war was over. An incident of his prison life reveals him as the shrewd, successful business man he was. When captured he had secretly sewed up in the seams of his clothing a few pieces of silver money, amounting hardly to a dollar. With this small capital, he started in prison a small bakery, where he sold pies and cakes to his fellow prisoners who were fortunate enough to have a little money, and with such success that he not only fared well himself while in prison but he brought a comfortable property and was regarded as one of the most successful farmers and business men of our county.
He was one of the founders of the present Bethesda Church, near his beautiful home. This church was started under a brush arbor just after the war, and he has been of the official board ever since its organization. He was largely instrumental in building the present neat and handsome church, not only contributing most liberally, but serving most efficiently as chairman of the building committee.
He was a man of great public spirit. Having no children of his own, yet he was greatly interested in the education of the children of his community, and for over 30 years he was chairman of the board of trustees of his school district. He was "given to hospitality," and at his handsome home he greatly enjoyed the company of his friends. All the Methodist preachers who have served this section within the past 30 years will remember that his house was the preacher's home.
Above all, Captain Lane was a consistent Christian gentleman, prominent and influential among men, and this personal influence and power was always exerted on the side of truth, progress and honor.
For nearly 35 years we were unchanging friends. As Jonathan loved David, so loved we one another, and this humble tribute is inscribed to the memory of my life-long friend.
John C Sellers
