Thomas M. Zane, M. D., an honored member of the medical profession of Osage City, who has served as surgeon of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe railroad for twenty years, was born in Putnam county, Indiana, in 1852, the son of Nathan and Anna (Etter) Zane. The Zane family located in Ohio at an early day and were the founders of Zanesville. Thomas Zane, the Doctor's grandfather, was reared in Ohio but moved to Indiana, where he took part in some of the early Indian wars. Elizabeth Zane, a member of the family, was a prominent figure at that time, as she managed to have ammunition sent to the men who were fighting against the Indians, in protection of their homes and families. Nathan Zane was born at Zanesvile, Ohio, learned the wagon maker's trade and moved to Indiana, where he spent his life. Dr. Zane's maternal grandfather was an "old line" German farmer, who owned a considerable tract of land near Greencastle, Ind., where he raised fruit on an extensive scale. He was a strong minded man, and a member of the "Know Nothing" party, in which he was an ardent worker.

Dr. Zane received his literary education in the public schools of his native state. He determined to devote his life to the study of medicine and entered the Missouri Medical College, at St. Louis, in 1875, receiving his degree in 1877. Believing that there were more opportunities for a professional man in a new and less populous state he came to Kansas, in 1885, locating at Cottonwood Falls, Chase county. In 1890 he moved to Osage City, where he has built up a satisfactory and constantly increasing practice. He has devoted considerable time to hospital work at St. Mary's Hospital, Emporia, Kan., and now gives especial attention to that branch of medicine. He has been surgeon of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe railroad for years and served in the railroad hospital at Topeka as interne. Dr. Zane joined the Masonic order in Indiana, when he was only twenty-one years of age and served as master of the lodge for ten years. Although a very busy man the Doctor takes interest in public affairs and politics. He believes it the duty of every man to exercise his right of suffrage. He has served as the mayor of Osage City for four years.

In 1874 Dr. Zane married Mary E. Hinote of Manhattan, Ind. Six children were born to this union: Harry S., who is an engineer of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe railroad; Ralph R., the western manager for the Eli Lilly Drug Company at San Francisco; Arley, an electrician, and three daughters: Anna, Nellie and Mildred, who are in school at Abilene, Kan. Mrs. Zane died in 1889, and the Doctor married as his second wife, Helen Buttler of Osage City, Kan.