Claire Gillette Lane, a prominent figure in the life of Rose Wilder Lane, the daughter of Almanzo and Laura Ingalls Wilder, lived an intriguing life that was closely connected to the famous Wilder family. Although not as well-known as his wife or in-laws, Gillette’s life and marriage to Rose played a significant role in her personal and professional journey.
Born on March 24, 1887, in St. Paul, Minnesota Gillette Lane, as he was known) was an ambitious and talented man with a passion for journalism and public speaking. He began his career as a newspaper reporter, quickly developing a reputation for his eloquent writing and keen investigative instincts. It was his career in journalism that led him to cross paths with Rose Wilder Lane, who was also an accomplished journalist, writer, and political theorist.
Rose, born in 1886, was the only child of Almanzo and Laura Ingalls Wilder, the author of the beloved “Little House on the Prairie” series. Growing up in the shadow of her mother’s literary fame, Rose was determined to carve her own path in the world of literature and journalism. It was during her time as a reporter that she met Gillette Lane.
The couple married on March 24, 1909, in San Francisco and embarked on a life together that was both intellectually and creatively stimulating. They collaborated on various projects and supported each other’s careers, with Gillette providing valuable encouragement for Rose’s literary ambitions. Their marriage, however, was not without its challenges. The couple faced financial difficulties, and their strong-willed personalities sometimes clashed, leading to periods of turbulence in their relationship.
They had one son, “Infant Lane”, an unnamed son who was born and died in 1909. This was the only child that the Lanes had.
Despite these challenges, their shared passion for writing and intellectual pursuits kept them connected. Gillette continued to work as a journalist, editor, and public speaker, while Rose went on to become a successful author and a prominent figure in the libertarian movement. The couple’s marriage eventually came to an end in 1918, after nearly a decade together. However, their time together significantly influenced their respective careers and lives.
In the years that followed their divorce, Gillette Lane continued to pursue his career in journalism and public speaking, contributing to various publications and maintaining an active role in the literary and intellectual communities of his time. He remarried in 1919 to Imogene Elizabeth Scanland Freund.
Gillette Lane passed away on June 18, 1950 in Alameda, California at 63 years of age.
Although his life and marriage to Rose Wilder Lane are lesser-known aspects of the Wilder family’s history, Gillette Lane’s story serves as an intriguing footnote in the lives of Laura Ingalls Wilder and her family.
