BIO: Samuel M. KANE, Beaver County, PA
    
    Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Banja & Joe Patterson
    
    Copyright 2005.  All rights reserved.
    http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
     http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/beaver.html
    
    http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/beaver/bios/bbios.htm
       Index for this bio book.

    _________________________________________________________________ 
    
    BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES.  This Volume Contains Biographical Sketches 
    of Leading Citizens of Beaver County, Pennsylvania.  Buffalo, N.Y., 
    Chicago, Ill.: Biographical Publishing Company, 1899, pp. 55-56.
    _________________________________________________________________ 
    
    SAMUEL M. KANE, deceased, who was a man of sterling worth, and one of the
  influential citizens of Beaver county, was an organizer of the Rochester
  Tumbler Works, and general manager thereof up to the time of his demise. He
  was born May 1, 1839, in Steubenville, Ohio, and as his father died when he
  was a child, Samuel was thrown upon the world to battle for himself at an
  early age. Being of an energetic disposition, he grasped what opportunities
  were his to obtain an education, at the same time finding employment at glass
  manufacturing. He was ambitious and industrious, and progressed rapidly,
  acquiring great skill as a workman. Early in life he
    
    56  BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES
    
  went to Pittsburg, as many of his associates did, and accepted a larger and
  more profitable position. He availed himself of every opportunity for
  advancement, with foresight and sound judgment, and became one of the
  organizers of the company which built and operated the Rochester Tumbler
  plant, of Rochester, Beaver county, Pennsylvania. Mr. Kane became its general
  manager, and under his skillful guidance, the business increased to a
  wonderful extent, and the works were soon shipping to every state in the
  Union, and to foreign markets. Today this concern is the largest
  establishment of its kind in the world -for which development much credit is
  due to Mr. Kane. He possessed a keen insight in business affairs, and
  identified himself with numerous enterprises which not only benefited him in
  a financial way, but were of material advantage to the borough and county. He
  was a director of the First National Bank of Rochester, president of the
  Rochester Improvement Company, a stockholder and director of the Rochester
  Electric Light Plant, and a supporter of other business ventures. He erected
  an attractive home on Pennsylvania street in Rochester, overlooking the
  beautiful Ohio Valley, and being one of the finest in that locality. It is
  well arranged and chastely furnished, and its interior appointments reflect
  much credit upon the refined taste of Mrs. Kane.
    
    On January 17, 1895, while crossing the railroad near the factory, Mr. Kane
  was run down by an engine and killed. It was the saddest accident that ever
  befell the borough of Rochester, and cast a heavy gloom over the entire
  community. Every citizen mourned as for a brother, and there was universal
  commiseration. He had been a kind, loving husband, and a true and faithful
  friend.
    
    Fraternally, Samuel M. Kane was a thirty-second degree Mason; a member of
  the Knights Templar and Scottish Rites lodges of Pittsburg; the R. A. M. of
  Rochester; a charter member and past grand master of the Lodge and
  Encampment, I. O. O. F.; a Woodman of the World; Royal Templar; he belonged
  to the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, of which he was an honorary
  member. He was also the organizer of the Order of Rebecca, at Rochester.
  Religiously, he was a devout member, and trustee, of the Baptist church. A
  portrait of Mr. Kane precedes this sketch.