PART I. 



ELISHA KENT KANE, 



CHAPTER L 



YOUTH AND EARLY TRAINING OF DR. KANE. 



ELISHA KENT KANE was born in the city of Phi- 

 ladelphia, on the third day of February, 1820. He 

 was the eldest son of the Hon. John K. Kane, who, 

 since 1845, has presided in the United States District 

 Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. 

 Several of the ancestors of the subject of this me- 

 moir were distinguished by their deeds of patriotism 

 and philanthropy during the memorable era of the 

 Revolution. It is narrated in the annals of that 

 eventful time that one of these, Mrs. Martha Gray, 

 won the gratitude of the American army and people 

 by her assiduity in rendering assistance to nine 

 hundred sick and wounded prisoners, who had fallen 

 into the hands of the British when they held pos- 

 session of Philadelphia. These unfortunate men 

 were destitute of necessary food, clothing, and me- 



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