Lewis Cain and Sarah Keenan Cain

Family of

Lewis Cain and Sarah Keenan


Lewis was born January 27, 1816 in Perry County, Ohio the son of John Caine and Elizabeth Brandt. He was probably named after his grandfather, Lodwick Brandt, since Lewis is the English form of Lodwick/Ludwig. On January 20, 1842 Lewis married Sarah Keenan in Perry County.

Obituary: Wednesday, September 27, 1871; Somerset Tribune "DIED- On the 26th, of crampcholic, at his home 2 miles south of Somerset, Lewis Cain, in the 55th year of his age." (Editors note: crampcholic is appendicitis) In the papers of the Estate of Lewis Cain it says that they land will be sold to pay the debts of the estate and were filed November 29th, 1871 in Perry Co., Ohio.

Somerset Tribune, Somerset, Ohio; February 22, 1872-- "Mrs. David Williams bought on Saturday last at the Administrator sale of Lewis Cain deceased, the land adjoining his farm containing 13 1/2 acres, consideration $1,010.00."

In the Soldier Enumeration Lists, 1851, (Perry Co., Reading township, over 21 years), Lewis and his brother, Isaiah/Isaak Cain are listed along with his cousins, Elija, Isaac and Lewis Brant. In the 1867 report he is again listed this time with other Cain's from other families: George, Henry, James, James B. Cain.

Sarah Keenan Cain was born September 13, 1826 in Ohio and died on November 26, 1889. After Lewis died she moved to Oblong, Crawford Co. Illinois taking her minor children with her. Her parents, Thomas and Lettitia Keenan had already moved on to Crawford County and her oldest son Charles, was already living there so we presume that is why she moved there after Lewis' death. On July 26, 1879 she married Edward Ransford of Licking twp, Crawford Co., Illinois. The marriage license shows her middle inital as an "A" and gives her age as 51 when according to our family record she would have been 52. Edward was listed as being 44 years old. His death certificate lists his date of death as April 16, 1907 in Sullivan County Indiana. No gravesite for Sarah has been found.

The 1880 census for Crawford Co. Licking twp, ILL lists Edward Ransford age 45, farmer, born Indiana along with Sarah age 58, born Ohio; Luther Ransford, son, born Indiana; Benjamin Cain, step son age 17, born Ohio. The next census that I found is 1900 Jasper Co. Illinois, Granville Twp listing Luther Ransford and wife Vinnie along with his father Edward at age 66.

Children of Lewis and Sarah:

Mary C. Cain-- born about 1843 in Ohio

William F. Cain-- born June 1845 in Ohio-twin - died between 1850 and 1860

Charles Thos. Cain-- born June 1845 in Ohio--twin

Daniel Cain-- born about 1848 in Ohio

Samuel Gilbert Cain-- born August 24, 1852 in Somerset, Perry Co. Ohio

Martha Cain-- born about 1855 in Ohio

Emma Letitia Cain-- born June 7, 1857 in Somerset, Ohio

Alvah James Cain-- born April 14, 1860 in Perry Co., Ohio

Benjamin Jesse Cain-- born December 14, 1863 in Perry Co, Ohio


Birth and death records of Lewis and Sarah are from a 30" X 24" framed 'Family Record' that is in the possession of family members.

Marriage of Lewis & Sarah -- marriage book, Vol. 2, page 44, #348 Perry Co., Ohio

Census 1850, Reading twp, Perry Co, Ohio-- page 351--Lewis age 34, value of real estate is $400, carpenter, born Ohio; Sarah age 24, Mary age 7, William T. age 4, Charles T. age 4, Daniel age 2.

Census 1860, Reading twp, Perry Co, Ohio-- page 355--Lewis age 45, value real estate $800, personal estate $75, carpenter; Sarah age 34, Mary C. age 17, Charles Thos. age 14, Daniel age 12, Samuel age 7, Martha age 5, Emily age 3, Alvah J. age 2 months.

Census 1870, Reading twp, Perry Co, Ohio-- page 62-- Lewis age 55, Carpenter, value real estate $1000, Personal property $400; Sarah age 49, Mary age 25, Charles age 23, Martha age 13, Letitia age 11, Alva age 8, Benjamin age 5.

Land Deeds of Lewis and Sarah Cain.

Estate of Lewis Cain - Petition to sell land to pay debts of estate, filed November 29th, 1871, Perry Co. Ohio.

Marriage of Sarah Keenan Cain and Edward Ransford- marriage book Vol. C, page 19 Crawford Co. Illinois


Charles Thomas Cain was born about 1846 the son of Lewis and Sarah Keenan Cain in Perry County, Ohio and died in 1912 in Aurora, Cloud Co., Kansas. He married Lorena M. Shaw on September 21, 1871 in Crawford Co, Illinois, daughter of John and Caroline Shaw. Charles apparently moved on to Crawford Co. Illinois with the Keenan's (his mother's family) as he was living there by 1870. When his father, Lewis Cain, died in 1871 he went back to Perry Co. Ohio as per the estate papers. His mother, Sarah Cain, and Charles' siblings then moved to Crawford Co to be near him and the Keenan's.

1870 Census Licking twp, Crawford Co, Illinois-- Charles is living with the family of Nathan & Sarah Fowler as a farm laborer, age 25 years. Next door to the Fowlers is the Shaw family and his wife to be- Lorena Shaw.

1880 Census thru the 1910 Census- Aurora twp, Cloud County, Kansas- Charles age 35, farmer, born Ohio; Rena M, wife, age 30, born Illinois; Willis A. age 7, born Illinois; Edwin M age 6, born Illinois; Mertie E. age 3 born Illinois; Effie M age 5 months, born January.

1895 Census- Cloud Co, Aurora twp.-- C.T. Cain age 49; Rena age 45; Willis age 22; Edwin age 21.

1900 Census Aurora twp Cloud Co. Charles T. Cain born June 1845, age 54, married 28 years, born Ohio; Serena born January 1850, age 50, mother of 4 children, 2 still living; Willis A. born Sept 1872, age 27. (Note: Willis A. Cain was the enumerator for this census)

1905 Census, Cloud Co., Aurora twp;Chas T. Cain age 57; Rena Cain age 55. (Charles was the assessor for the Township of Aurora, Cloud Co. Kansas.)

1895 Agriculture Census shows the following: raised 4 acres of millet, 23 tons of tame hay cut in 1894, $16.00 worth of gardens marketed, $25.00 worth of poultry and eggs sold during year, 600# butter made, owned 3 horses, 4 milk cows, 1 other cattle, 1 other cattle died, $175.00 worth of animals slaughtered and sold, had 50 apple trees bearing, 75 peach trees bearing, 50 cherry trees bearing, 75 apple, 2 pear and 20 cherry trees not bearing. 1 dog. Charles was a bricklayer.

1910 Census, Cloud Co, Aurora twp; Charles T Cain age 64, married for 39 years, born Ohio; Serena M Cain age 60, married 39 years, mother of 4 children, 2 still living.

Children of Charles Thomas Cain and Lorena Shaw:


Alvah James Cain was born April 14, 1860 in Somerset, Perry Co., Ohio and died July 23, 1952 in Crawford Co., Oblong, Illinois (Illinois Certificate of Death). He is buried in the Wilkins/Prairie Grove Cemetery north of Oblong, Ill. He married Celia Jane Ikemire, the daughter of Andrew Ikemire and Isabel ?, on August 12, 1885. Celia Jane was born June 20, 1867 (1900 Crawford Co, ILL census) and died on August 6, 1907 (Illinois Certificate of Death) in Oblong, Crawford Co., Illinois.

Alva Cain Family

Alva J. & Celia Jane Cain. taken about 1896; Children left-right: Orlan, Maude, Claude, Alta Cain

Alvah remarried on March 1, 1912 to Florence Eva Stifle in Oblong, Illinois. She was the daughter of Stephen Stifle and Diadema Headley. Florence Stifle Cain was born December 25, 1874 in Crawford Co., Illinois and died June 16, 1956 in Oblong, Illinois.

Illinois Department of Public Health, Death Index Listing: Alvah James Cain, male, white, age 92, file number 29734, death date 7/23/1952.

Alvah's obituary reads as follows: "A.J. Cain, 92, died yesterday evening at 5 o'clock at this home north of Oblong. Survivors are his wife, Eva, and the following children: Alta Wilson of Oblong, Orland Cain of Ownesboro, Ky., Maud McCoy of Oblong, Sara Griggs of Salem, Ill., and one step-son, Albert shinn, of Oblong. Funeral services will be held Friday afternoon, 2 o'clock at Marshall Funeral Chapel with Rev. H. J. Kemp, officiating, assisted by Rev. Catey. Burial will be in the Wilkins Cemetery. The body will remain at the Chapel where friends may call." Robinson Daily News, July 24, 1952. An obituary in the same paper on July 28, 1952 reads (partial abstract) as follows: "A.J. Cain, son of Lewis and Sarah Cain, was born in Somerset, Ohio April 14, 1860 and departed this life at his home morth of Oblong July 23, 1952. He was the last survivor of the family, who with his mother moved from Ohio to the Oblong community when he was 9 years of age. In 1885 he was united in marriage to Celia Ikemire and to this union six children were born. She preceeded him in death on Aug 3, 1907, one son, Claude, in June 1936 and one daughter Isabelle Carrol July 15, 1952- just eight days prior to his passing. On January 3, 1912 he was united in marriage to Eva Shinn who survives him. Two nephews, Lewis P. Cain ob Oblong and Charles Cain of Vining, Kansas also survive him."

1860 Census, Reading twp, Perry Co., Ohio-- Alvah listed with his parents at age 2 months.

1870 Census, Reading twp, Perry Co., Ohio-- listed with his parents at age 8 years.

1880 Census, Licking twp, Crawford Co, Illinois-- listed as a servant in the household of Andrew Skinner.

1900 Census, Licking twp, Crawford Co., Ill--Alva J. born April 1861 age 39; Celia J. wife born June 1867; Alta M. daughter born April 1889, age 11; Orlan L. born Jan 1891, age 9; Claude, son born May 1893, age 7; Maude daughter born May 1893 age 7.

1910 Census, Licking twp, Crawford Co., Ill-- listed with his children but no wife; Alva J. age 48; Orlan age 18; Claude age 16; Maud age 16; Isabel age 8; Sarah age 8.

1920 Census, Oblong twp, Pce 2, Crawford Co., Ill-- listed with wife named Eva and stepson, Albert Shinn.Alvey J. Cain age 59; Eva Cain wife age 45; Albert Shinn, step son age 10.

Children of Alvah James Cain and Celia Jane Ikemire:

Isabelle & SarahIsabelle & Sarah Cain


Benjamin Jesse Cain was born December 14, 1863 in Perry Co., Ohio and died September 26, 1942 in Crawford Co., Illinois (Book LL-9 Illinois Death Index) He is buried in the Wilkins Cemetery north of Oblong, Illinois. He married Olive Jane Stifle on January 13, 1887. She was the daughter of George Stifle and Rachel Lankster. She was born April 2, 1866 in Dogwood Illinois (source: obituary)died March 31, 1919 (Book LL-2 Illinois Death Index) and is buried in the Wilkins Cemetary north of Oblong, Illinois. Olive's obituary, in part, reads: "was born at Dogwood, Ill, April 2, 1866 and departed this life March 31, 1919. She was married to B.J. Cain on January 13, 1887. To them were born two children, Lewis P. and Bessie Bells. She and her husband moved west when they were married, where they lived until a years ago, when they moved back to this neighborhood." Oblong Oracle April 12, 1919. Benjamin's obituary is abstracted as follows: "B.J. Cain, 79, died at his home north of Oblong this morning at 5 o'clock after a lingering illness. Surviving are his wife and one son. L.P. Cain of Jewett, Ill. one brother Al Cain of Oblong. "

Census 1870 Reading twp, Perry Co., Ohio- Benjamin is listed with his parents at age 5 years.

Census 1880 Licking twp, Crawford Co., Illinois-- Benjamin (age 17) is listed with his mother, Sarah Keenan Cain, and her new husband, Edward Ransford.

Census 1905- Clay Co, Kansas -- B.J. Cain, age 42, born Ohio, came from Nebraska to KS, farmer; Olive, age 39; Palmer Cain, age 8, born Nebraska.

1910 Clay Co., Mulberry Twp,Kansas-- Benjamin Cain, age 47, married 23 years, born Ohio; Olive J. Cain,age 44, married 23 years, mother of 2 children, one still living, born Illinois; Palmer, son, age 13, born Nebraska.

Children of Benjamin Jesse Cain and Olive Jane Stifle are:

Lewis Palmer Cain born July 11, 1896 in Nebraska and died April 27, 1977 in Crawford Co. Ill. (Ill Death Cert) His obit states he was a schoolteacher and veteran of WWI. First wife was Dorothy Vance Cain and second wife Fanchion LeFever Boyd Cain.

Bessie Bells Cain born about 1898 and died on November 28, 1901 in Vining, Clay Co., Kansas. Buried in Vining Cemetery. An article about Bessie's death was in the Clifton News on Decvember 6, 1901. It reads as follows: "Vining Girl Burned to Death. Thanksgiving day was a gloomy one for at least one family in Vining. B.J. Cain and family were to be the guest of Mr. Cain's brother's family living just across the street. At about half past ten Mrs. Cain started over to assist in preparing the dinner. Her three year old daughter wanted to remain at home, so the mother left her, never thinking of any harm that might befall the little one as there was not evern a fire in the stove. Hardly had the mother reached the house across the street when she heard the screams of her child and turning aobut saw her baby running towards her with its clothes a solid mass of flames. The fire was soon extinguished but its horrible work had been performed and the child only lived until about 9:30 that evening.It is supposed that the child had been playing with an acetylene gas generator until its clothes were filled with the gas then after its mother left lighted a match which set its clothes on fire. The funeral was held the next day in the Vining church."


Emma Latisha Cain was born June 7, 1857 in Somerset, Ohio. She died on July 22, 1934 in Miltonvale, Cloud Co., Ks. She married Lemuel Mack Wheeler in January, 1881 in Morse Bluff, Nebraska. He was born January 14, 1857 in Boonesboro, Iowa and died after July 27, 1935 in Aurora, Ks.

Lemuel & Letitia Cain Wheeler

Children of Lemuel and Latisha are:

The obituary was printed in the Miltonvale Record newspaper on July 26, 1934. An abstract of it follows here: "Emma Latisha Cain was born June 7, 1857 in Somerset, Ohio and departed this life on July 22, 1934 in Miltonvale, Ks. She married L.M. Wheeler in January 1881. Came to Kansas January 23, 1903 to a farm near Aurora and then to Miltonvale. Eight children born to them: 2 died in infancy, Robert died in 1930, Mrs. Nora Wardle, Mrs. Lola Lynas, Mrs. Bessie McCain, Mrs. Ada Durkee, Mrs Della Dallen. Three brothers still living: Sam Cain, Ben and Alva Cain. Buried in Miltonvale Cemetery."

The obituary of Lemuel M Wheeler was in the Miltonvale Record on Aug 1, 1935. an abstract of it follows: Lemuel M Wheeler was born January 14, 1857 in Boonesboro, Iowa and departed this life July 27, 1935 at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Lola Lynas. He was united in marriage with Emma Latisha Cain at Morse Bluff, Nebraska, in January, 1881. They had eight children, two of whom died in infancy. Five daughters, Mrs. Nora Wardle, Mrs Lola Lynas, Mrs Bessie McKain, Mrs Ada James and Mrs Della Dallen.One son, Robert M died 4 1/2 years ago. Mr and Mrs Wheeler came to Kansas on January 23, 1903. Interment was made in the Miltonvale cemetery.

1900 Census, Morse Bluff, Sauders, Nebraska: Lemuel M Weeler age 43, married 19 years, b. Iowa; Emma L, wife, age 42, married 19 years, mother of 9 children, 9 still living; William age 16; Nora age 17; Lola age 14; Besie B age 12; Kattie age 10; Edna age 8; Robert age 4.

1910 Census, Cloud Co. Ks, Starr twp: Lemuel M Wheeler age 54, born Iowa; Emma L. age 52 born Ohio; Robert M. age 13 born Nebraska.

1920 Census, Cloud Co. Starr twp: L.M. Wheeler age 61, owns house, free of mortgage, can read & write; Emma Wheeler age 61; can read and write, born Ohio.


Martha Cain was born in 1854 in Somerset, Perry Co, Ohio according to census and cemetery records. She died in 1878 in Nebraska and is buried in the Sunset Cemetery, Cedar Rapids, Boone County, Nebraska. On November 4, 1876 she married John Hackett in Crawford County, Illinois (Vol C, page 9). Marriage License: "Crawford Co, Illinois; Marriage may be celebrated between Mr. John H. Hackett of Oblong Town in the County of Crawford and State of Illinois of the age of 19 years, and Miss mattie Cain of Oblong Town in the County of Crawford and State of Illinois of the age of 22 years, the Father of the said John H hackett having given his assent to said Marriage. Witness Wm Wilson, County Clerk, at this office in Robinson in said County this 3rd day of November AD 1876. ---------- I John H Varner a Justice of the peace hereby certify that Mr. John H Hacket and Miss Mattie Cain were united in Marriage by me at the residence of F. Hacket in the County of Crawford and State of Illinois on the fifth day of November A.D. 1876. John H. Varner Justice of the Peace."

Martha is listed with her parents, Lewis and Sarah, in the 1850 and 1860 census records of Reading twp, Perry Co Ohio (see above). Her husband, John Hackett, is listed with his mother and father, Felix G and Precious Hackett, in the 1870 census of Oblong Twp, Crawford Co. Illinois. He is 14 years old.

Census 1880, Crawford Co, Oblong Twp, Illinois -- Felix G Hacket age 62, divorced, farmer, blind, born KY; John hacket, age 24, son, married, works on farm, born Ills; Martha Hacket, age 26, daughter in law, married, keeps house, born Ohio; Susan Hacket, age 17, daughter, at home; Alen Hacket, son, age 15, works on farm; Noah Hacket, age 17, son; Maud Hacket, age 3, granddaughter; Wallis Hacket, age 9/12 months, born Sept, grandson.

Census 1900, Boone Co., Cedar precinct, Nebraska-- John Hackett, head, born Nov 1856, age 43, widow, born Illinois; Sarah M Hackett daughter, born Oct 1877, age 22, single, born Illinois; Lewis W. Hackett, son, born Sept 1879, age 20, single, born Illinois; Benjamin P. Hackett, son, born Aug 1881, age 18, born Illinois; Lola m. Hackett, daughter, born Nov 1883, age 16, born Illinois; Felix G Hackett, father, born March 1818, age 82, widow, born Kentucky.

Census 1910, Boone Co, Cedar Precinct, Nebraska -- Palmer B Hackett, age 28, married for 1 year, born Illinois, works in flour mill; Segrid Hackett, wife, age 20, born Norway; John H Hackett, father, age 53, widower, laborer; Maude S. Hackett, sister, age 31, single, asst. postmaster.

Census 1930, Hazard Twp, Sherman Co, District 9, Nebraska--- Palmer B. Hackett, age48, value of home $8000; age at 1st marriage 27; Sigrid Hackett, wife, age 41, age at 1st marriage 19.

Census 1930, Bonanza Precinct, Boone Co. Nebraska --- Louis W. Hackett, age 50, married 26 years, farmer; Hattie, wife, age 48; John Hackett, father, age 73, widow.

Census 1930, Cedar Rapids Village, Cedar Precinct, Boone Co. Nebraska, page 8A------- St. Anthony's Parochial School, Sarah M. Hackett, age 52, single, rents, value of home $10.

Sunset Cemetery, Boone County, Cedar Rapids, Nebraska--- Block 17, Lot 4; Hackett --- S. Maude Hackett, Oct 31, 1877 (R Lodge) - Mar 20, 1942; Hattie Hackett, 1881 - 1972; Walter Hackett 1879 - 1952; Segrid M Hackett, 1908 - 1916; Martha A. Hackett 1854 - 1878; John H. Hackett 1856 - 1957.

Obituary: Cedar Rapids Prometer -- October 17, 1957 --- Obituary: John Hackett Dies -- John Hackett, age 100 passed away at a Fullerton rest home at noon Friday. Funeral services were held in Albion Monday afternnon with burial in Sunset cemetery in Cedar Rapids. He is survived by a son, Palmer Hackett of Albion and a daughter Mrs. Mayne Watts of Omaha and a daughter-in-law, Mrs. Hattie Hackett of Cedar Rapids. Those attending the funeral from Cedar Rapids were: Mrs. Hattie Hackett, Mrs. Neil Heft, Mr & Mrs. Lawrence Cunningham, Mrs. and Mrs. George Mackie and G.M. Cox.

Cedar Rapids Outlook, August 26, 1898 ---Obituary-- Died: At her home 8 mi. west of Cedar Rapids, Saturday August 20, 1898, of heart & kidney trouble, Mrs. Martha A. Hackett, aged 43 years, 10 months. & 6 days. Mrs Hackett had been dangerously sick for 2 yrs. Her death last Saturday was therefore only what had been expected for months before. She was born in Perry Co., Ohio. When 17, she moved with her mother to Crawford Co. Ill & while there (Nov 5, 1876) when 22 yrs of age was married to her now bereaved husband, Mr. John Hackett. About 12 years ago they came to Nebraska and the home which is now left desolate by the absence of the wife and mother. Mrs. Hackett was an esteemed Christian woman, affectionate mother and companion, etc. She became a member of the Methodist church about 4 yrs ago. The funeral was preached last Sunday morning by Rev. L.R. DeWolf, of Belgrade and the remains were laid to rest in the Sunset Hill Cemetery near this place on Sunday afternoon.

Ed. Note: I have an old picture that was found in 1976 in my grandmother's attic. I believe it to be John and Martha's children: Lewis Wallis and Sarah Maude Hackett probably taken about 1880. --- {short description of image}---- If you have any information on this please email me.

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