S. H. BLANE, attorney, Petersburg; son of George and Mary (Alkire) Blane, who were early settlers of Menard County; he was born in this county Jan. 17, 1840, and raised upon a farm, attending district school, after which he attended the North Sangamon Academy, where he prepared to study law; his father was a prominent farmer in this county, from its organization to his death, which occurred Jan. 18, 1864; his mother survived ten years longer, passing away April 18, 1874; they were highly respected by all who knew them. The subject of this sketch enlisted in the late war of the rebellion, with the 106th I.V.I.; during the siege of Vicksburg, he was promoted to Lieutenant, and then to Captain; was mustered out after the service of three years; after the war, he took up the study of law under Hon. S.S. Knoles, at the same time superintending his farm; he also studied with Hon. T.W. McNeely, and was admitted to the bar in 1874; he has since given his time and attention to the practice of his profession, in which he is fast becoming popular. He married Miss Mary J. Spear Jan. 4, 1866 - a native of this county; they have a family of four children.