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 8 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.
Horace Greeley letter to Thomas L. Kane
Letter from Horace Greeley, Boston, to Thomas L. Kane, Philadelphia, inquiring about Kane's health, which was poor at this point. Greeley also describes events that happened recently with his wife, Ida, having traveled to England, including some mentions of her poor health. He ends the letter mentioning lecturing in Ohio and the state of the New York Tribune, which he founded. Original envelope and a transcription of the letter are included. Dated January 4, 1855.
Kane family notes, cards, and other material, 1849-1866
Contains a letter, several notes, picture cards, and a botanical pressing found within printed works in the Kane family collection. The letter is concerns a trial and injustice in the life of Thomas L. Kane and is signed by his aunt. The notes include copied scriptural and lyrical passages, as well as notes on a book concerning genealogy. The picture cards depict religious scenes. Materials date from 1849 to the late 19th century.
Thomas L. Kane pocket diary and correspondence
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.
Thomas L. Kane papers, 1840-1908
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.
Brigham Young letters to Thomas L. Kane
Letters were handwritten by Brigham Young to Thomas L. Kane on October 30, 1854. In the letters Young asks Kane to serve as Utah's territorial delegate to Congress. The two letters are identical and were sent separately to ensure delivery. Collection also includes photocopies of the letters.