Kain, Richard "Dick" H. 1863-1923

KAIN, DANEHY

Posted By: Doris Hoffman, Volunteer (email)
Date: 5/15/2017 at 21:27:22

PROMINENT IN COUNTY

WAS FOR MANY YEARS ELECTED TO OFFICE

R. H. KAIN IS A VICTIM OF APOPLEXY

The Deceased Was Mayor of Le Mars for Several Years, Also Served as County Treasurer and Was One of Most Popular Citizens

R. H. Kain, a resident of Le Mars for thirty years, and during that time thrice elected to the office of city mayor and five times to the office of county treasurer, died very suddenly in a Sioux City hospital on Friday night. For the past six years Mr. Kain had made his residence in Sioux City. On Friday he was not feeling well and went to the office of a physician in the Davidson block in Sioux City. While in the waiting room at the office of the physician he was stricken with apoplexy.

Mr. Kain, who had office quarters with Attorney Everett Waller, at 643 Davidson building, was at his desk as usual Friday forenoon and apparently was in the best of health, Mr. Waller said. About noon he complained of illness and then went to a physician, Mr. Waller said. He was taken to a hospital where he passed away at 6:30 o’clock in the evening.

The news of his death was received in the Le Mars by his old friend, Postmaster J. E. Kelley, and when bruited abroad became a subject of general conversation in which many expressions of regret were heard, as few men in Le Mars and Plymouth County have attained a greater popularity than that which he was accorded.

Mr. Kain came to Le Mars when a young man and gained material success in his active business career and also won friendships which are lasting.

Richard H. Kain was born near Lyons, Iowa, on December 31, 1863, and received his early education in the schools there and at Falkland College. When a youth in the twenties he came to Le Mars and was employed in the office of the Le Mars Water and Light Company when it was under the control of J. F. Rogers of this city. Later he engaged in the real estate business and also in the abstract business.

In 1899 Mr. Kain was elected to the office of mayor of the city of Le Mars. His administration gave satisfaction to the majority of citizens as was evidenced by the fact that he was reelected twice to the office. His administration of city affairs was clean cut, honest and business like. He was possessed of good common sense, and a gift of humor, which were a saving grace, and the dignity of his position, through appreciated never biased his actions and he was ever and always “Dick” Kain to the high and to the low, the plutocrat with an ax to grind or the working man is overalls with a justifiable grievance.

His popularity as mayor induced his friends and admirers to bring his name before the public as a suitable candidate for county office and at the election in the fall of 1903 he was elected county treasurer and served in that capacity for ten years. His unswerving integrity and inimitable courtesy while in this position added to the hosts of friends he had already made.

After retiring from office Mr. Kain continued t reside here for a while and then went to Sioux City where he engaged in the real estate business until the time of his death. Mr. Kain was a member of the Le Mars Elks for many years. In social life he was a most pleasant man to meet, was well informed, witty, and entertaining.

The last year of his life was saddened by the loss of his wife, who died a year ago in January. They were a devoted couple and Mr. Kain’s friends avert he never recovered from the loss of his companion.

After being elected mayor in 1899 Mr. Kain was united in marriage with Miss Joan Danehy at Lyons, Iowa. She died on January 20, 1922. Mr. Kain was the youngest in a family of seven children three brothers survive him. Three brothers survive him. They are: F. J. Kain, Creighton, Neb.; John C. Kain, St. Paul, Minn., and J. E. Kain of Le Mars.

The funeral services were held yesterday morning at St. James Church, Rev. Father O’Farrell officiating, and a vast concourse attended the last rites. The pallbearers were old and tried friends of the deceased: J. J. McGrory, M. Kennedy, J. F. Russell, Nick Schueller, J. E. Kelley, and Michael O’Brien.

Relatives from out of town who came to the funeral were Mrs. John Kain and son Richard Kain, of St. Paul, Mr. and Mrs. L. M. Bamberg, of Alton and M. Kennedy of Remsen. John Kain, of St. Paul, was unable to come to the funeral n account of illness caused by grip.

Le Mars Semi-Sentinel
Tuesday, February 6, 1923
Le Mars, Iowa