Skip to main content

Kane (Family : Kane, Thomas L. (Thomas Leiper), 1822-1883)

 Family

Dates

  • Existence: 1853-

Biographical History

The Thomas L. Kane (1822-1883) and Elizabeth Kane (1836-1909) family was a prominent family from Pennsylvania, and friends of members to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the 19th Century.

The Kane family was a prominent family of politicians, lawyers, and doctors in Pennsylvania. Thomas L. Kane (1822-1883) was born in Philadelphia to John K. Kane (1795-1858), judge and politician in the city. In 1853, Thomas married Elizabeth Dennistown Wood (1836-1909), and they had four children: Harriet, Elisha, Evan, and William, who later changed his name to Thomas after the death of his father. Thomas L. Kane was a friend of Brigham Young and other members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and helped facilitate their migration to Utah, and forged a compromise that kept the Utah War of 1857-58 from escalating to bloodshed. Elizabeth Kane wrote a book on her visit to Utah and interaction with members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints during the winter of 1872-73, titled "Twelve Mormon Homes." Following the Civil War, the Kane family moved to western Pennsylvania to found the town of Kane, Pennsylvania.

Citation:
UPB files, Oct. 24, 2016 (The Kane family was a prominent family of politicians, lawyers, and doctors in Pennsylvania. Thomas L. Kane (1822-1883) was born in Philadelphia to John K. Kane (1795-1858), judge and politician in the city. In 1853 he married Elizabeth Dennistown Wood (1836-1909), and they had four children: Harriet, Elisha, Evan, and William, who later changed his name to Thomas after the death of his father. Thomas L. Kane was a friend of Brigham Young and other members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and helped facilitate their migration to Utah, and forged a compromise that kept the Utah War of 1857-58 from escalating to bloodshed. Elizabeth Kane wrote a book on her visit to Utah and interaction with the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints during the winter of 1872-73, title "Twelve Mormon Homes." Following the Civil War, the Kane family moved to western Pennsylvania to found the town of Kane, Pennsylvania)

Kane family photographs and albums, approximately 1830-1920

Wikipedia, via WWW, Apr. 17, 2013 (Thomas L. Kane (1822-1883); b. in Philadelphia, Pa.; son of John K. Kane; m. 1853 to Elizabeth Dennistown Wood (1836-1909), four children; est. Kane, Pa. after Civil War)

Found in 72 Collections and/or Records:

Thomas L. Kane correspondence with George Q. Cannon, 1859-1884

 Sub-Series — Box 15: Series 3 [Barcode: 31197232550779]
Identifier: Vault MSS 792 Series 3 Sub-Series 8
Scope and Contents

Contains letters of correspondence between Thomas L. Kane and George Q. Cannon. Many of the letters were sent by Cannon from Washington, D.C. and Salt Lake City, Utah as he served as chief political strategist for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They were received by Kane in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Letters date between 1859 to 1884, the majority of which date between 1874 to 1878.

Dates: Majority of material found within 1859-1884
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Vault MSS 792, Kane family papers / Thomas L. Kane papers on the Mormons

Thomas L. Kane correspondence with Horace Greeley, 1849-1872

 Sub-Series
Identifier: Vault MSS 792 Series 4 Sub-Series 6
Scope and Contents

Contains letters to Kane from Horace Greeley. The correspondence includes information on politics, exploration, and other topics. Materials date from between 1849 and 1872.

Dates: 1849-1872
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Vault MSS 792, Kane family papers / Thomas L. Kane papers on the American West and politics

Thomas L. Kane correspondence with Lajos Kossuth, approximately 1852

 Sub-Series — Box 18: Series 4 [Barcode: 31197232550811]
Identifier: Vault MSS 792 Series 4 Sub-Series 7
Scope and Contents

Contains a card with messages to and from Kossuth. Materials date approximately 1852.

Dates: approximately 1852
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Vault MSS 792, Kane family papers / Thomas L. Kane papers on the American West and politics

Thomas L. Kane correspondence with national and local political leaders, 1845-1877

 Sub-Series — Box 63: Series 1; Series 3; Series 4; Series 11 [Barcode: 31197232570009]
Identifier: Vault MSS 792 Series 4 Sub-Series 5
Scope and Contents

Contains letters between Kane and political figures at the national, state, and territorial levels regarding issues and appointments. Materials date between 1845 and 1877.

Dates: 1845-1877
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Vault MSS 792, Kane family papers / Thomas L. Kane papers on the American West and politics

Thomas L. Kane correspondence with other Mormons, 1846-1882

 Sub-Series — Box 16: Series 3 [Barcode: 31197232550787]
Identifier: Vault MSS 792 Series 3 Sub-Series 9
Dates: Majority of material found within 1846-1882
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Vault MSS 792, Kane family papers / Thomas L. Kane papers on the Mormons

Thomas L. Kane correspondence with William Wood, 1840-1877

 Sub-Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: Vault MSS 792 Series 2 Sub-Series 4
Scope and Contents

Contains letters of correspondence between Kane and William Wood. The letters date between 1840 and 1877. The bulk of the letters are from 1840 to 1852.

Dates: Majority of material found within 1840-1877
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Vault MSS 792, Kane family papers / Thomas L. Kane personal papers

Thomas L. Kane deeds, letters, and other material, 1690-1912

 Series — Box 57: Series 10 [Barcode: 31197232548831]
Identifier: Vault MSS 792 Series 10
Scope and Contents

Contains deeds, programs, letters, poems, and other items related to Kane and the Kane family. Includes genealogical and financial information. Materials date from between 1690 and 1912.

Dates: Majority of material found within 1690-1912
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Vault MSS 792, Kane family papers

Thomas L. Kane journals, manuscripts, and other material, 1839-1886

 Sub-Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: Vault MSS 792 Series 2 Sub-Series 6
Scope and Contents

Contains journals and notebooks belonging to Kane, as well as manuscripts, letters, passports, and other materials. Items include lists of Kane's everyday dealings, his poetic and philosophical writings, his last will and testament, and his obituary. Materials date between 1839 and 1884.

Dates: Majority of material found within 1839-1886
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Vault MSS 792, Kane family papers / Thomas L. Kane personal papers

Thomas L. Kane, Jr. papers, approximately 1888-1925

 Sub-Series — Box 40: Series 7 [Barcode: 31197232551066]
Identifier: Vault MSS 792 Series 7 Sub-Series 4
Scope and Contents

Contains correspondence, legal documents, and other materials produced by Kane. Items provide information on Kane's medical practice, as well as personal business items. Materials date from between approximately 1888 and 1925.

Dates: Majority of material found within approximately 1888-1925
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Vault MSS 792, Kane family papers / Kane family personal papers

Thomas L. Kane letters and notes from visit to Utah, 1871-1873

 Sub-Series — Box 17: Series 3 [Barcode: 31197232550795]
Identifier: Vault MSS 792 Series 3 Sub-Series 10
Scope and Contents

Contains correspondence and notes by Kane relating to his trip to Utah and tour of settlements in the territory, as well as information on local Indians. Materials date from between 1871 and 1873.

Dates: Majority of material found within 1871-1873
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Vault MSS 792, Kane family papers / Thomas L. Kane papers on the Mormons

Staff Interface | Send Feedback or Report a Problem

More information about Special Collections including Hours, Services, Events, and Exhibits can be found at lib.byu.edu/special-collections.

The BYU Library aims to create descriptions of collections that are inclusive and support an “environment of belonging.” If you encounter language in finding aids, catalog records, or collection descriptions that you find offensive or believe to be harmful, we invite your feedback at librarydescription@byu.edu.