Kane, Thomas L. (Thomas Leiper), 1822-1883
Dates
- Existence: 1822 - 1883
biographical statement
Thomas L. Kane (1822-1883) was lawyer, abolitionist, Civil War soldier, frontiersman, and advocate for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Thomas Leiper Kane was born January 27, 1822 in Philadelphia to Judge John Kintzing Kane and Jane Duval Leiper. He attained the bar in 1846, after studying law with his father. He served as clerk in his father's court until 1850, at which point he resigned due to a moral conflict with the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. He went on to become an active member of the Underground Railroad. Kane became interested in the migration of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to the West, and was crucial in securing government aid for the movement. His friendship with Brigham Young is credited with the non-violent resolution of the Utah War. At the advent of the Civil War Kane organized a volunteer Union Army regiment known as the "Bucktails" and served as lieutenant-colonel of that outfit. He later was brevetted the rank of major-general for his service at Gettysburg. After his military service he retired to found the town of Kane, Pennsylvania. In 1853 Kane married Elizabeth Dennistoun Wood, and together they had four children: Harriet Amelia Kane (1854-1896); Elisha Kent Kane (1856-1935); Evan O'Neill Kane (1861-1932); and Thomas Leiper Kane, Jr. (1863-1929). Kane died of pneumonia in Philadelphia on December 26, 1883.
Citation:
Dict. of American Biog. Vol. X, 1928: p. 258 (educated by his father, founded Civil War regiment called "The Bucktails, brevetted rank of Major General for service at Gettysburg, participated in Underground Railroad, peacefully negotiated the end of the Utah War, married Elizabeth Dennistoun Wood in 1853, died of pneumonia in 1883)Story of John Kane of Dutchess County, New York, 1921: p. 4-5 (children named Harriet Amelia Kane; Elisha Kent Kane; Evan O'Neill Kane; and Thomas Leiper Kane, Jr., founded Kane, Pennsylvania)
Ancestry.org, Jan. 29, 2013: (four children: Harriet Amelia Kane (1854-1896); Elisha Kent Kane (1856-1935); Evan O'Neill Kane (1861-1932); and Thomas Leiper Kane, Jr. (1863-1929))
Found in 3 Collections and/or Records:
Samuel Allis statement
Photocopies of a handwritten and signed statement dated 8 Sept. 1846. Allis affirms that he and others were in Omaha County, Nebraska, before the Mormons arrived. Also incuded is a letter from R. B. Mitchell stating he has "nothing to add to my communication made to Colonel Kane" dated 19 Sept. 1846.
Jesse C. Little letters received and pamphlets
Letters received, miscellaneous items, and pamphlets composed by Little. These materials largely deal with Little's activities in the mission field in the 1840's. Letters are from such prominent individuals as Brigham Young (1801-1877) and Thomas L. Kane.
Brigham Young letter to Thomas L. Kane
Handwritten and unsigned draft of a letter, dated May 6, 1873, and addressed to Thomas Leiper Kane. Young writes to Kane with advice relating to Kane's estate.