John Shane (May 26, 1822 – September 18, 1899) was an American politician, judge, and military officer.

John Shane was born on May 26, 1822, in Jefferson County, Ohio. He graduated from Washington & Jefferson College in Pennsylvania and studied law under Edwin M. Stanton.

In 1856, Shane settled in Vinton, Iowa, where he established the law firm Alexander, Shane & McCartney. With the outbreak of the American Civil War, Shane enlisted in Company G of the 13th Iowa Infantry Regiment. He participated in significant battles, including the Battle of Shiloh and the Atlanta campaign. Shane began his military career as a captain and was promoted to colonel, succeeding Marcellus M. Crocker when Crocker was promoted to brigadier general.^[1]

After the war, Shane returned to Vinton to resume his law practice. He was elected to the Iowa Senate as a Republican from District 33 in 1871. He was re-elected in 1875 and redistricted to District 28 before the 1877 election. However, he chose to accept an 1876 gubernatorial nomination to serve as a judge for the Eighth Judicial District of Iowa, succeeding James H. Rothrock, who had been elevated to the Iowa Supreme Court.

Shane was elected to a full term as a judge in 1878. He resigned from the position in 1882 due to paralysis.

John Shane died on September 18, 1899, in Vinton, Iowa.^[1]