History of Wexford County, MI. Compiled by John H. Wheeler Published in 1903 by B. F. Bowen Biography Page 208 - 209

JOSEPH McCANE

In this world there is one kind of man, who can successfully combat the many disadvantages and trials which humanity encounters in every walk of life. It is he who is possessed of superior intelligence and force of character; the man who is the happy possessor of that energy which seems to be the magic wand that transforms a poor beginning into a successful ending. To this class belongs the subject of this review, Joseph McCane, who began life with little and accomplished much more than many whose opportunities were far bette Joseph McCane is a native of Scotland, born about thirty miles from Edinburg, September 4, 1851. His parents were William and Mary (Hodgins) McCane, the father a native of Scotland and the mother of England. They migrated to America in 1856 and settled in Saginaw, Michigan, the same year. There the mother still resides. Her husband died in 1888, while on a visit to his son Joseph, in Wexford county, at the age of seventysix years. They were the parents of twelve children, of whom Joseph, the subject, was the fourth. The year of his arrival in America Joseph McCane was five years old. From that time until he obtained his majority he made his home with his parents in Saginaw. He learned the trade of a stone and brick mason, became quite skillful and worked at the business many years after he was twenty-one years old. In many of the towns and cities of Michigan may be seen samples of his work in the buildings erected since 1873. At Loomis, Clare county, Michigan. August 6, 1874, Joseph McCane was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Cornelius, a native of the state of New York, born in Steuben county, June 30, 1855. She is the daughter of Ira and Catharine (Castle) Cornelius, both now deceased. To this union six children were born, viz; Mary E. is the wife of John Bolton, a native of Ottawa, Canada, and a farmer and lumberman, and they had two children, Dovis, aged three years, and Leland, who died at the age of two months; William W., of Liberty township, who wedded Mabel Gilbert, of Ionia county; George, Eva, Earl and Harrold. In August, 1877, the family, then conisisting of the parents and two children, moved to Wexford county, and settled on a part of section 29, Liberty township, where they have since resided and where the four younger children of the family have been born. The farm upon which they reside and which they own consists of forty-two and a half acres, all cleared, splendidly cultivated and supplied with every convenience in the way of buildings. A number of acres was set apart some time ago for an orchard, in which a large number of fruit trees were planted. They are thrifty, well cared for and will soon be bearing abundance of fruit. The family occupies a home that for happiness, thrift and comfort, is not excelled in the county. The principles and policies of the Republican party early won the favor of Joseph McCane and his zeal for party success won the favor of the Republicans of his township and they insisted on his acceptance of such positions as they had at their disposal. He has filled the positions of assessor, school inspector and has been deputy sheriff for that towlnship since 1882, more than twenty-one years. The Christian church, whose members are known as the Disciples of Christ, is the church of which Mr. and Mrs. McCane are members. They are regular attendants upon its services. The only fraternal society to whlich he belongs is the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, his membership being in Manton Lodge. Like many of the inhabitants of his native land, he is possessed of good judgment and excellent sense. To the energy he displays in all that he undertakes and to the force of character for which he is distinguished he is indebted for the success which has attended the work of his life.