Elias Kent Kane (June 7, 1794-December 12, 1835) was one of the first U.S. Senators from Illinois. He was born in New York City, attended the public schools and graduated from Yale College in 1813.
After he studied law, he admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Nashville, Tennessee and then moved to Kaskaskia, Illinois in 1814.
He was appointed a judge of the Territory of Illinois and was a delegate to the first state constitutional convention in 1818.
After an unsuccessful 1820 campaign for election to the 17th Congress, he became Illinois' first secretary of state, and served 1820 to 1824. He was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives in 1824, and in the same year to the United States Senate. He was reelected in 1831 and served from March 4, 1825, until his death in Washington, D.C., in 1835.
Kane County, Illinois is named in his honor.
Preceded by: John McLean Class 3 U.S. Senator from Illinois 1825-1835 Succeeded by: William Lee D. Ewing This article incorporates facts obtained from the public domain Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
