Nicholas Thomas

Background

Nicholas T. Kane was born in County Waterford, Ireland on September 12, 1846.

Education

His family moved to the United States in 1848 and settled near Albany, New York, and Kane attended the local schools.

Career

He enlisted in the Union Army in 1863, joining the 20th New York Cavalry. Kane served until the end of the war in 1865, and afterwards remained active in the Grand Army of the Republic. He became wealthy as the owner and operator of several successful mills in New New York

A Democrat, Kane was Watervliet"s Town Supervisor and represented Watervliet on the Albany County Board of Supervisors from 1883 to 1885.

He was president of the county board in 1885. In 1886 Kane was elected to the 50th United States Congress.

He served from March 4, 1887 until his death from tuberculosis in Albany, New York on September 14, 1887, before the Congressional session started. (At the time, elections were held in November, terms began the following March 4th, and the Congressional session began in the following December)

He was interred in Saint Agnes Cemetery, Colonie, New New York

Achievements

• He attained the rank of Corporal twice, and each time was reduced to Private.