John O'Kane was of Irish descent, born in Rockbridge County, Virginia September 22, 1802. His father, Henry O’Kane, was a schoolteacher, and a very good scholar. John followed his father’s scholarly ways by becoming proficient in his knowledge of the Greek language. He also studied Biblical Criticism. He was baptized in 1825 when he came under the influence of John Thomas, the "white pilgrim." He began preaching almost immediately. He was from the old Christian (O'Kelly) movement. Before locating in Wayne County where he preached and taught school in 1832, he had preached in Virginia and Ohio. In 1828 he read some articles in the Christian Messenger by James E. Matthews of Alabama on the subject of Christian Baptism. The articles proposed the idea that forgiveness was to be found in and through the act of baptism. In Volume III No. 9, July, 1829, pages 213-216 he replied with an article, denouncing these views in a somewhat harsh manner. The editor, Barton W. Stone followed with comments expressing that he had never met O’Kane, but in the interest of fairness wanted to have O’Kane’s articles included. He went on to express a desire that more kindness needed to be used by O’Kane and anyone when responding to articles that appeared in the Christian Messenger. And to O'Kane's surprise, Stone defended the position be espoused by Matthews. Madison Evans wrote of this incident, "In a short time both he and Elder Stone were preaching the faith which both had sought to destroy." Within three years the Campbell and Stone movement united. O’Kane moved to Milton, Indiana and began a long and productive work in that part of the country.

He joined forces with John P. Thompson, a Baptist reformer, in evangelizing in Rush, Fayette, and Decatur counties. With Dr. Ryland T. Brown he organized the Connersville church in 1833 and published a religious journal, The Christian Casket, from this city the same year. The publication only lasted one year. On June 12, 1833, as the evangelist of the Rush County Cooperation, he organized the Central Church in Indianapolis. It was started in the log cabin of Benjamin Roberts located at the northeast corner of Illinois and Market Streets. O'Kane moved to Crawfordsville in 1837, preaching there and evangelizing in the surrounding area. He returned to Connersville in 1848 where he labored for one year. In 1849 he went into the bookstore business in Indianapolis and preached where needed. In the National Convention of churches of Christ held in Cincinnati, Ohio, when Alexander Campbell was elected president in absentia, O’Kane was elected Vice-President representing the state of Indiana. (Note: In that convention each state had a Vice-President representative.) In 1851 he entered the North Western Christian University development project, taking the field as general agent. It was largely through his efforts that enough stock was sold in the enterprise to authorize construction of a university building. Some indiscreet remarks concerning Bethany College, made while in the field as agent for the university, antagonized Alexander Campbell and placed the whole educational project in jeopardy for a time. He moved to Independence, Missouri in 1859, and the Civil War cut him off from his Indiana brethren for a few years. Having organized several congregations in Indiana and having successfully conducted a financial campaign for what eventually became Butler University, O'Kane has almost become a legendary figure among brethren between Missouri and Indiana. He had the personal appearance of a good preacher. He was a slender six feet, two inches in height. His voice was deep and solemn. His movement was very little if any during the course of a lesson. Though he was not an eloquent speaker, he was very influential to his listeners. O’Kane died January 5, 1881, and is buried in the Bellefontaine Cemetery, St. Louis, Missouri.

-The Information Above Coming Primary From The Search For The Ancient Order, Earl Irvin West, Volume II, Page 195,196 &  Hoosier Disciples, Henry K. Shaw, p.85

Directions To The Grave Of John O'Kane