Kane, Thomas 1837-1917

KANE, KAIN, COWMAN, LYON, LEGRAND

Posted By: Jim Kane (email)
Date: 12/24/2004 at 11:15:56

The following Obituary Printed in the Monroe Newspaper Nov. 15, 1917

"Thomas Kane, more familiarly known among those who knew and loved him as Uncle Tommy Kane, was born April 20, 1837 in the town of Bellamony, (I believe that the correct spelling is Ballymoney) County Antrim, Ireland. He died Nov. 5, 1917, at the age of 80 years 6 months and 16 days.

When but a young boy he left his native land and came to Fort Edward, New York, where he worked for several years. From there he went west to Illinois and after a brief stay there came on to Iowa settling in Jasper county. It is just a little indication of the hard-ships and obstacles which lay in the path of these early pioneers, that he made this trip from Illinois to Iowa on horseback. He lived first on a farm north of Fairmount but in the spring of 1869 he came to the place which had been his home from that time until the day he died.

He was married March 12, 1869 to Elizabeth Ann Cowman and their home was blessed with a large family of children, of whom ten remain to mourn, with their mother, the loss of their loved father. These are: Mrs. R. A. Lyon, of Elmore, Minn; Mrs. J. W. LeGrand Jr., of Monroe, Iowa; Frank, Edward, Aretas, Fred, Bert, Leroy, Ross and Pearl.

Of his family two brothers and one sister survive him---a brother and sister in Ireland and a brother, Dan of Chicago, Illinois.

Mr. Kane was one of the older and more prominent members of the Methodist church at Fairmount, for a long time an official member, faithful in his attendance upon the services and in his duty to the church.

He was a man whose loss will be keenly felt by everyone, not only the loved ones of the home and his fellow Christians in the church but by the community far and wide. Being one of the early settlers in this community he was widely known and in many a home even outside of this immediate community his name will be spoken in reverence and tears will be shed at the thought that Uncle Tommy Kane has passed away.

He often spoke in conversation of the change which had taken place in the community since the early days. In speaking so, he unconsciously witnessed to the sacrifice and hardships which he and others suffered that we might enjoy the blessings and comforts which they knew little of.

A man of jovial good nature, unimpeachable character, a public spirited citizen, it will be impossible in the life time of those who knew him, to fill the place which he leaves vacant.

The funeral service was held in the Methodist church at Fairmount Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 and was in charge of Rev. Lavely. Rev. Hill, of the Methodist church in Monroe, offered a prayer.

The music was furnished by the church choir. The church was filled to overflowing, many not finding even standing room in the church. Burial was in the Monroe Cemetery.

Those present at the funeral from a distance were: Mr. and Mrs. R. A. Lyons and daughter Inona, of Elmore, Minn.; Miss Jennie Kane, of Mitchellville; J. F. Kane, of Carroll, Iowa, Frank Mullens and sisters, Sarah and Ellen of Colfax; Mr. and Mrs W. H. Goodspeed, of Knoxville; Mr. and Mrs. Jasper Adamson, of Colfax; Mrs. John Porter, of Des Moines; Cecil G. Kane, a grandson of the deceased, of Co. A, 123rd Machine Battalion, stationed at Camp Logan, Houstan, Texas, arrived Thursday morning.

Card of thanks---To the many friends and neighbors who so kindly rendered help and sympathy during our bereavement, we express out thanks and appreciation

Mr. Kane and Family