Kane, Daniel

The following data is extracted from Genealogy and Biography of Ontario County, New York.

Chief of police, Daniel Kane, of Geneva, is not only one of the oldest guardians of the peace in the State, in point of service, having held that office for more than twenty consecutive years, but also enjoys the distinction of being one of the most efficient detectives between New York city and Chicago. His rapid advancement in the police department was the result of his close attention to duty, and his long continued retention in his present office is a fitting recognition of his earnest endeavors to protect the community from the aggressions of law-breakers.

Daniel Kane was born in Geneva, New York, November 27, 1854. His parents were liberty-loving Irish people, who, in the middle of the last century, sought a home in the United States, where the laws and regulations more fully coincided with their ideas of political and religious freedom. He was educated in the Geneva public schools, and after concluding his attendance at the high school he engaged in the grocery business. A year later, 1874, he sold his interest in the business to his partner, and going to Michigan was for fourteen months employed upon a farm. He then returned to Geneva, but a year later he once more turned westward with a view of obtaining lucrative employment, and found an acceptable position in the Chicago packing house of Libby, McNeil and Libby, where he remained for one year. Dissatisfied with his surroundings he again returned to Geneva, and entered the employ of his brother, T. A. Kane, who was in the grocery business. May 16, 1882. he was appointed a patrolman on the Geneva police force, and in that capacity he found ample opportunity for the exercise of his natural ability and keen intelligence. His untiring devotion to his duties, together with the thoroughly able manner in which they were executed, won for him the confidence of his superiors and the general public, and in the short space of eight years he attained the highest position in the department.

July 1, 1890, Mr. Kane became the official head of the Geneva police force, and during his twenty-one years of continuous service in that responsible capacity, he has received the cordial support and hearty commendation of his fellow-citizens. His superior executive ability and sincerity of purpose enabled him to bring his department up to a high standard of efficiency, thus making it an effective instrument in protecting the lives and property of all within his jurisdiction, and his alertness in the never ending struggle between the civil authorities and the criminal class, has been the means of bringing many notorious malefactors to justice. Nor have his efforts been wholly confined to local police duty, as he has won an enviable reputation as a detective, and one of his notable achievements in that line was the furnishing of information which caused the arrest and conviction of the five desperate yeggmen who were concerned in the robbery of the Shortsville Bank. He is a charter member and past grand knight of the Knights of Columbus, also affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and attends St. Francis (Roman Catholic) Church.

Mr. Kane was married, May 26, 1881, to Elizabeth Tannian, born in Geneva. December 12, 1854; died September 3, 1906. Children: 1. Thomas C., born April 9, 1882; married Katherine McAniff, a teacher in the high school at Phelps, New York; one child. Helen. 2. Josephine, born December 12. 1883. 3. William A.. September 18, 1888. 4. Elizabeth A., September 27, 1890. 5. John A., May 18, 1893. 6. Daniel F., August 31. 1895. The majority are graduates of the Geneva high school and the others will complete their studies there. The youngest daughter. Elizabeth A., is now (1910) attending the State Normal School at Geneseo.

Source: Genealogy and Biography of Ontario County, New York

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