Skip to main content

Kane, Elizabeth Wood, 1836-1909

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1836 - 1909

biographical statement

Elizabeth Wood Kane (1836-1909) was a prominent Pennsylvania prohibitionist, philanthropist, and physician.

Elizabeth Denniston Wood was born on May 12, 1836 to William Wood and Harriet Amelia Kane, and was raised in England. Her family emigrated to New York in 1844. In 1853 she married Thomas L. Kane. With her husband and 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), Elizabeth founded the town of Kane, Pennsylvania. She worked tirelessly for the prohibition of alcohol both in Kane, and the wider United States. Her 1872 travels with her husband in Utah are recorded in her book "Twelve Mormon Homes." She obtained a medical degree from the Women's Medical College in Philadelphia in 1883. After her husband's death later that year, she became more involved in social and philanthropic causes including the Women's Christian Temperance Union, and the Kane Summit Hospital Association. She died peacefully while sleeping May 25, 1909.

Citation:
Story of John Kane of Dutchess County, New York, 1921: p. 3 (born and raised in England, emigrated to New York) p. 4-5 (married to Thomas L. Kane in 1853) p. 5 (founded Kane, Pennsylvania with her husband) p. 6 (worked to promote prohibition in Kane, PA) p. 6 (traveled to Utah and wrote "Twelve Mormon Homes) p. 7-8 (graduated from Philadelphia Woman's College as a physician, was a local and regional delegate to prohibition conferences, including WCTU activities) p. 9-10 (died May 25, 1909)

Ancestry.org, via WWW, Jan. 29, 2013: (Elizabeth Denniston Wood; 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))

Familysearch.org, via WWW, Apr. 17, 2013 (Elizabeth Dennistoun Wood; b. May 12, 1836 in Bootle, England; d. May 25, 1909 in Kane, Pa.; m. Apr. 21, 1853; five children: Harriet Amelia, Elisha Kent, Evan O'Neill, Thomas Leiper, Joshua Francis)

Found in 3 Collections and/or Records:

Elizabeth Wood Kane journals, 1858–1863, 1888-1891, 1900–1907

 Sub-Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 3190 Series 3 Sub-Series 1
Scope and Contents Contains the personal journals of Kane and various materials found within those journals. Materials include newspaper clippings, botanical pressings, receipts, letters, and notes. Ten volumes of the journal are hard-bound, while two are carbon copies of a later type-setting. The first carbon-copy is labeled "Volume Three," but volumes one and two are not present. The materials concern the everyday life and activities of Elizabeth Wood Kane, including detailed account of daily occurrences,...
Dates: Other: 1858–1863; Other: 1888-1891; Other: 1900–1907
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / MSS 3190, Kane family collection / Elizabeth Wood Kane papers

Elizabeth Wood Kane notes and programs, 1883-1896

 Sub-Series — Box 6: Series 3 [Barcode: 31197225526927], Folder: 5
Identifier: MSS 3190 Series 3 Sub-Series 4
Scope and Contents Contains a note, a printed soft-bound booklet, and two commencement programs relating or belonging to Kane. The note is titled "Reasons Why" and gives seven reasons that her son Elisha should accompany his father to some unnamed place. The booklet contains journal entries written by Elizabeth Kane during her trip to Mexico as part of the Pan-American Medical Congress. The commencement programs are for the 1883 and 1885 commencements at the Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania. Materials...
Dates: Other: 1883-1896
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / MSS 3190, Kane family collection / Elizabeth Wood Kane papers

Elizabeth Wood Kane recipes, approximately 1876

 Sub-Series — Box 6: Series 3 [Barcode: 31197225526927], Folder: 4
Identifier: MSS 3190 Series 3 Sub-Series 3
Scope and Contents

Contains a soft-bound recipe book belonging to Kane, and various newspaper clippings and notes found within it. The recipe book contains not only recipes, but also instructions detailing how to perform other domestic tasks like crocheting. The newspaper clippings and notes are mostly recipes, but also include articles and advertisements concerning domestic subjects. All materials are undated.

Dates: Other: approximately 1876
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / MSS 3190, Kane family collection / Elizabeth Wood Kane papers

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.