Kane family business papers, 1844-1943

Series

Identifier: Vault MSS 792 Series 8

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Contains correspondence, clippings, maps, and financial records relating to core family business activities, including the development of western Pennsylvania, the history of town of Kane, railroad investments, and other businesses. Materials date from between 1844 and 1943.

Dates

Creation: Majority of material found within 1844-1943

Creator

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

Conditions Governing Use

It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances. Permission to publish material from Kane family papers must be obtained from the Supervisor of Reference Services and/or the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Coordinating Committee.

Biographical / Historical

From the Collection:

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 the Mormons 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 Mormons 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.

Extent

8 boxes

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Arrangement

Arranged in four subseries: 1. McKean & Elk Land & Improvement Company records. 2. Kane family papers on railroads. 3. Thomas L. Kane business and financial papers. 4. Kane family business and financial records.