HENRY B. KANE was born in Springfield, Illinois, January 17, 1855. His father, Elder A. J. Kane, is one of the oldest ministers of the Christian Church, in this county. His mother is the daughter of Philo and Martha (Stillman) Beers, supposed to be the first couple married in the county. Mr. Kane graduated in the Springfield High School, in 1872. In 1873, he was appointed one of the mail carriers in the city, and served three and a half years, and on account of ill-health resigned. He read law during that time, utilizing his spare hours for that purpose, and in January, 1878, was admitted to the Bar. He then entered the office of N. W. Branson, Register in Bankruptcy, as his deputy, and remained with him until the law was repealed about a year after. Subsequently he formed a partnership with H. H. Rogers, in the practice of law, which continued until he was elected Justice of the Peace, in 1881.