| Woodbury Kane | |
|---|---|
| Born | February 8, 1859 Newport, Rhode Island |
| Died | December 5, 1905 (aged 46) New York, New York |
| Cause of death | paralysis of the heart |
| Resting place | Kane family plot, Newport Rhode Island |
| Residence | New York, New York |
| Nationality | United States |
| Occupation | yachtsman, bon vivant |
| Known for | Rough Riders |
| Spouse | Sallie Hargous-Elliot |
| Parents | Delancey Kane and Louisa Langdon |
Woodbury Kane (8 February 1859 - 5 December 1905) was a noted yachtsman and bon vivant, and member of Theodore Roosevelt's Rough Riders.
Kane was one of four children of Delancey Kane, of Newport, Rhode Island, and his wife Louisa Langdon; his brothers were Colonel Delaney Astor Kane, and John Kane and S. Nicholson-Kane. He was a cousin of Col. John Jacob Astor. Kane was a director of the Metropolitan Register Company, and a member of the Metropolitan, Knickerbocker, Racquet, New York Yacht Club, Seawanhaka-Corinthian Yacht, Meadowbrook Hunt, Hudson River Ice Yacht, Larchmont, Yacht and Country Clubs.
He entered Harvard in the autumn of 1878, and throughout his college life was one of the most popular men of his class. During university he became a close friend of Theodore Roosevelt. While at Harvard, he played football and was considered an expert at cricket, tennis, polo, and also was a noted hunter of big-game both in North America and South Africa. He had a most charming personality, and his well-bred manner, his elegance of carriage and movement, his lithe and erect figure, and the zest with which he entered into tennis, football, boxing, and running races, together with his courtesy and good humor, made him conspicuous among his classmates. He was a member of the Hasty Pudding and Porcellian Clubs and other organizations.
After graduation he lived the easy life of a gentleman in New York and Newport. He was a noted yachtsman having served aboard the Columbia in the 1899 America’s Cup race. For many years he was a member of the America’s Cup committee of the New York Yacht Club.
When the Spanish-American War broke out, Kane, with other leaders of society, enlisted in the First United States Volunteer Cavalry, better known as the "Rough Riders." Roosevelt mention him in his account The Rough Riders:
When I went down to the camp at San Antonio he was on kitchen duty, and was cooking and washing dishes for one of the New Mexican troops; and he was doing it so well that I had no further doubt as to how he would get on.
Kane was remarkable for always being immaculately dressed even during the worst conditions. He served with distinction throughout the Cuban campaign. For gallant service at the battle of San Juan he was made a captain in the volunteer service of the United States Army.
He was married at Aiken, South Carolina to Sallie Hargous-Elliot on 28 March 1905.[1]
He died on 5 December 1905 at his apartment at the Algonquin Hotel in New York City from paralysis of the heart after returning from duck hunting in South Carolina, after contracting a cold.[2] His funeral service was held at the Church of the Ascension at 10:00 a.m. on 8 December 1905.
He is buried at the Kane family plot at Newport Rhode Island.
He lived at 23 West 47th Street, New York.