KSGenWeb Digital Library Biographical Sketch of Alfred Daniel Cain Atchison County, Kansas

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The following transcription is from a 750 page book titled "Genealogical and Biographical Record of North-Eastern Kansas, dated 1900.  These have been diligently transcribed and generously contributed by Penny R. Harrell, please give her a very big Thank You for her hard work!

Alfred Daniel Cain, the youngest son of John W. and Ann Mylchreest Cain, was born May 11, 1845, at Castletown, Isle of Man.  There in the grim shadow of ancient Castle Rushen, among the hills and dales of the beautiful island or on the sea with the fishing smacks and luggers, his early boyhood and youth was spent.  He received the best of educational advantages, a privilege of which he has made full use, as those who know him can testify.

His alma mater was King William's, a celebrated institution of learning on the island.  After graduation, his first business venture was in the drug trade.  In the year 1866 he emigrated to Kansas, where his father, John W., and brothers, William S. and John M., preceded him some years. 

He settled with them in Atchison county on a farm and followed agriculture five years.  In connection with his brother, John M. Cain, he established a grocery business in the city of Atchison during 1872, which they continued until 1877, and then embarked in the grain trade under the firm name of Cain Brothers.  The business was very successful and soon they built up one of the largest grain handling firms in the state.

During 1883, in connection with his brother, John M. Cain, and R. H. Hanthorn, they built the Model Flour Mill, the first complete roller flour-mill west of the Mississippi river.  The firm prospered and from then until his demise he was actively connected with the milling business.

In 1890 he acquired an interest in the Central Mills, operated by the Cain Mill Company, of which himself and John M. Cain were the owners.  Later on he procured practically all the stock and the plant is now being operated under the management of his sons, Douglas M. and Victor A. Cain.

The plant is a fine one of eight hundred barrels capacity per day.  The mills with which Mr. Cain was connected were the first to commence the exportation of Kansas hard-wheat flour to Great Britain and Europe.  The trade was difficult to establish, but that it was a great boon to this state is
evidenced by the fact that millions of barrels are now exported annually where the raw product was formerly sent.

On the 16th day of April, 1868, Mr. Cain was united in marriage to Mary A. Molyneux, of Douglas,
Isle of Man, a daughter of Samuel and Mary Ann (Walters) Molyneux.  Ten children were born of their union, namely: Eleanor, the wife of Dr. W. A. McKelvy, of Atchison; Emma M., Douglas M., Alfred E., deceased; Mona Q., Victor A., Herbert S., Arthur S., Ruth C. and John W.

The family occupy the Cain homestead and are held in high esteem.  In the midst of his prime, Mr. Cain was stricken down and after a hard battle of many months was called to his final rest January 27, 1898.

Mr. Cain was never an active factor in political affairs, although he was well informed on the questions and issues of the day, and as a citizen he was loyal in the support of what he believed would prove of public benefit.  He was a man of domestic tastes and sterling qualities; his reputation during his career was unsullied and his history is the record of a useful life.

Last update: Monday, December 26, 2005 18:08:53

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