My Genealogy Hound

DR. JAMES J. KANE. Patrick Kane, father of Dr. James J. Kane, coroner of Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, was a native of Ireland, where he was born in 1819. He obtained his education in the national schools, and on leaving school devoted himself to farming interests, in which he met with success. Being a man of steady habits he made good progress in his occupation, but wearying of the restraints imposed on himself and his countrymen in his native land, he decided to emigrate to the United States. On arriving at Philadelphia remained in that city a short time, and then went to Norristown, where he succeeded in obtaining employment in a cotton factory, in which employment he remained for many years. He died in 1901. He was an earnest Democrat and a strong believer in Jeffersonian principles. He married Miss Elizabeth Hamill, who is still living. She is a daughter of James Hamill, who came from England to this country. Mr. and Mrs. Kane had the following children: Thomas, Catharine, Mary, Margaret, and James J., the last named the subject of this sketch.

Dr. James J. Kane was born in Norristown, November 5, 1859. He was educated in the schools of Norristown, attending also Treemount Seminary, taught by Professor John W. Loch, He then took a course in a business college in the city of Philadelphia. He entered a wholesale house as bookkeeper, and also clerked in different business establishments in that city. In 1889 he began the study of medicine, entering the Jefferson Medical College, in Philadelphia. He graduated with honor from that institution in 1892. He returned to Norristown, and established himself in practice in which he has been engaged ever since. Dr. Kane was for a time a student in the office of Dr. William Corson, a Norristown physician of great ability and wide reputation.

Dr. Kane married, in 1898, Miss Jennie Stubblebine, a daughter of George and Elizabeth Stubblebine, of Cedarville, in Chester county, Pennsylvania. They have no children.

Dr. Kane is a very active Democrat in politics, being an earnest worker in the interests of his party. He served two terms in the town council of Norristown, and in 1901 was the Democratic candidate for coroner of Montgomery county. He was elected over his Republican competitor, Charles B. Ashton, receiving a very large vote in Norristown, serving three years in that responsible position. He is an active member of the Knights of Columbus, of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and of the Foresters of America. He is a member of the Montgomery County Medical Society, of the Pennsylvania Medical Society, and of the American Medical Society. He and Mrs. Kane attend St. Patrick’s church (Catholic) of Norristown.

Dr. Kane enjoys an excellent reputation as a physician. He is scrupulously careful to avoid holding inquests in cases where there is no necessity for putting the county authorities to that expense. As a man, an official and a citizen, he is a model of propriety, and is justly honored with the confidence of the community in which he has always lived.