Daniel O'Kane, a retired farmer residing at Polo, and a pioneer of Ogle County, was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, October 29, 1809, and is the son of John and Susanna (Macanna) O'Kane. He came to America with his parents in 1823, spent a few months in Canada, and in 1824 crossed into the United States and settled in Franklin County, Ind., where his parents resided until their death. The subject of our sketch came from Cincinnati to Ogle County on horse back in September 1835. He was highly pleased with the beautiful country in this region and secured a claim in Buffalo Township.

Mr. O'Kane had been married October 1833, prior to coming west, to Miss Lucinda Johnson, daughter of John Johnson of Kentucky. Mrs. O'Kane was born and brought up in that state. They have been blessed with a large family, 15 children, nine boys and six girls: James married Mary Thompson and lives at Kerry, Nebraska; Joseph married Nettie Rowan and is a farmer of Buffalo Township; Mary A. is the wife of George Kinsley of Buffalo Township; John W. married Mrs. Esther Dodson and resides at Waterloo, Iowa; William W. married Aggie Rowan and they reside at Sterling, Illinois; Ellen died, aged 23 years; Joshua died in infancy; Daniel is married and resides in Polo; Byron married Elsie Hadsell and is a farmer of Nebraska; Caroline is the wife of Charles Hadsell and also resides in Nebraska; Charles died, aged 23 years; Lucinda died, aged 22 years; Florence died, aged 25 years; Aaron married Sarah McNair and lives at Polo; One child died in infancy. Mrs. O'Kane died in April, 1868.

Mr. O'Kane was again married April 18, 1869, at Polo, to Mrs. Anna P. Osterhoudt, daughter of Joseph and Mary A. Lent. Mrs. O'Kane was born in Pennsylvania and had one child by her former marriage, a son, William J., who is now deceased.

Mr. O'Kane was engaged in farming and stock growing in Buffalo Township until 1870, when he removed to Polo. He accumulated a large property by industry and good management, and before he began to divide up with his children, he had 700 acres of land. He took a prominent part in all public affairs in pioneer times, was chosen on the committee that laid off the lands for the settlers, and thus insured them against the competition of speculators and land sharks. He was chosen Road Commissioner in an early day and laid out most of the roads in the county. He was one of the first Constables in the county and served as Postmaster for 12 years at Bartlett. His sons, James and William, have both served as Sheriff of Ogle County. Four of his sons were in the Army during the late war, James, John, Joseph, and William. Joseph was a Lieutenant in the 7th Ill. Cav., was captured and held a prisoner at Libby Prison. He was promoted to Captain but the war closed before he was mustered in as such. The other sons were in the 3rd and 92nd Regiment. Mr. O'Kane took a conspicuous part in settlement of disputed claim titles, and was generally selected as arbitrator where disputes arose.

Mr. O'Kane is a member of the Baptist Church, and in politics is a Democrat. He cast his first vote for Andrew Jackson, and has voted with that party continuously since. He is held in high esteem by a wide circle of acquaintenances. Socially, he belongs to the Mystic Tie, No. 84. He is a Royal Arch Mason and belongs to Dixon Commandery No. 127, K. T.

Portrait and Biographical Album of Ogle Co., IL, Chapman Bros., Chicago, IL, 1886. page 440

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