CAIN, Dennis (1844-1912)

CAIN

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 6/5/2021 at 21:08:05

Dennis Cain (1844-1912)

DENN1S CAIN, a farmer of section 22, Blaine Township, Ida County, was born in Monmouth County, New Jersey, in 1844, a son of William and Mary (Noon) Cain, natives of Roscommon County, Ireland. The parents were married in their native country, but in an early day came to America, locating in New Jersey. In 1856 they opened a farm near Libertyville, Lake County, Illinois, where the father still resides. The mother died there in 1889. They were the parents of nine children, seven now living, viz.: Thomas, a furniture dealer of Racine, Wisconsin; Ann, wife of John Linberry, of Libertyville, Illinois; Ella, of New Jersey; John, resides near Libertyville; Kate, wife of James Mark, of Chicago; William, of Wisconsin, and Dennis, our subject.
The latter was reared in New Jersey to the age of twelve years, when he went with his parents to Lake County, Illinois. In 1861 he engaged in farming in Whiteside County, Illinois, and three years later enlisted in Company A, Twelfth Illinois Cavalry, served in the Western Army, took part in the Red river campaign, in the battle of Jackson, Mississippi, and seven other engagements.
He was engaged in guarding the frontier at Brownsville and Houston, Texas, and was honorably discharged in the latter place, June 18, 1886. Mr. Cain then resumed farming in Whiteside County, Illinois, but in 1876 came to Ida County, purchasing 120 acres of his present farm in Blaine Township. He has added to his original purchase until he now owns 266 acres of well-cultivated land, where he is engaged in general farming and stockraising. Mr. Cain brought his house from Waukegan, Illinois, a one and a half story building, 16 x 24 feet, with two wings, one, 12 x 22 feet, and the other 12 x 16 feet; he has a barn 38 x 42 feet, and all other necessary conveniences. Politically he takes an active part in the Democratic Party, has served as Township Trustee, as Road Overseer since 1888, and has been a member of the School Board. Socially, he is a member of Matthew Grey Post, No. 93, G. A. R. [Grand Army of the Republic] at Ida Grove.
Mr. Cain was married in Whiteside County, Illinois, in l871, to Miss Anna Scott, a native of that county, and a daughter of Asa and Elizabeth (Taylor) Scott, who were born in Ohio. In an early day they removed to Whiteside County, Illinois. The father built a boat worked by horse power, in which he brought his family down the Ohio river, up the Mississippi and Rock rivers to Como, Illinois, bringing one year's supplies with him. He opened a farm in that county and hauled wheat to Chicago, a distance of 112 miles, receiving 41 cents per bushel. He was active in the early political history of the county, having held many public offices. His death occurred in May, 1883, and the mother survived him ten months. Mr. and Mrs. Cain have had six children, viz.: Ida, wife of John Hogland; Arthur, Elizabeth and Asa,
attending school at Arthur; Clarence, Frank and Chandler. Mr. and Mrs. Cain are among the oldest living pioneers of Blaine Township, and our subject is a self-made man, having commenced life with comparatively nothing.
Source: Biographical History of Crawford, Ida, and Sac Counties, Iowa, 1893, p.251