Joseph Lane (1801 – 1881) was an American general during the Mexican War.
Lane was born in Buncombe County, North Carolina on December 14, 1801. He moved to Kentucky at a young age, and then moved to Indiana, where he was engaged in farming for a while. While in Indiana, he served in the State House of Representatives and the State Senate.
At the outbreak of hostilities with Mexico, Lane was appointed colonel of the 2nd Indiana Volunteer Regiment and served along the border. The same year he was appointed brigadier general of volunteers and commanded the Indiana Brigade at the Battle of Buena Vista. After the battle he was appointed major general of volunteers and led the relief force which lifted the Siege of Puebla defeating Santa Anna at the battle of Huamantla along the way.
He was appointed by President James Polk as governor of Oregon Territory from 1848-1850, and as superintendent of Indian affairs there. He was the vice presidential nominee of the southern wing of the Democratic Party in 1860.
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| width="30%" |Preceded by:
Samuel Thurston
| width="40%" style="text-align: center;" |Delegate representing Oregon Territory to U.S. Congress
1851-1853
| width="30%" |Succeeded by:
none
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| width="30%" |Preceded by:
John C. Breckinridge
| width="40%" style="text-align: center;" |Democratic Party Vice Presidential candidate*
1860 (lost)
| width="30%" |Succeeded by:
George Hunt Pendleton