Francis Kernan | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Kernanc. 1860–1865 | |
| United States Senator fromNew York | |
| In office March 4, 1875 – March 3, 1881 | |
| Preceded by | Reuben E. Fenton |
| Succeeded by | Thomas C. Platt |
| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromNew York's21st district | |
| In office March 4, 1863 – March 3, 1865 | |
| Preceded by | R. Holland Duell |
| Succeeded by | Roscoe Conkling |
| Member of theNew York State Assembly from the Oneida County, 1st district | |
| In office January 1, 1861 – December 31, 1861 | |
| Preceded by | James McQuade |
| Succeeded by | Charles M. Scholefield |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Francis Kernan (1816-01-14)January 14, 1816 |
| Died | September 7, 1892(1892-09-07) (aged 76) |
| Resting place | St. Agnes Cemetery, Utica, New York |
| Party | Democratic |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 10 |
| Education | Georgetown University |
| Profession | Politician, Lawyer |
Francis Kernan (January 14, 1816 – September 7, 1892) was an American lawyer and politician. A resident ofNew York, he was active in politics as aDemocrat, and served in several elected offices, including member of theNew York State Assembly, member of theUnited States House of Representatives, andUnited States Senator from 1875 to 1881.
Kernan was born inWayne, New York[1][a] on January 14, 1816,[2] the son of General William Kernan, who came to America fromCounty Cavan,Ireland in 1800, and Rose Anna (Stubbs) Kernan, who was also a native of Ireland.[3]
Kernan graduated fromGeorgetown University in 1836. He then studied law with his brother in law Edward Quinn ofWatkins Glen, New York, and moved toUtica, New York, in 1839 intending to pursue a legal career. He completed his studies withJoshua A. Spencer, was admitted to the bar in July 1840, and then practiced law in partnership with Spencer as Spencer and Kernan. He later practiced in partnership with relatives as the senior partner of Kernan and Quinn, later Kernan, Quinn and Kernan. From 1854 to 1857, Kernan was Reporter of Decisions for theNew York Court of Appeals.[2]
Kernan was a longtime Utica school board member,[2] and a member of the board of managers of the New York State Hospital.[3] He also served as president of St. John's Female Orphan Asylum, co-founded in 1843 by his father-in-law, Nicholas Devereux, and Devereux's brother John.[4] It was staffed by theDaughters of Charity fromEmmitsburg, Maryland, while theChristian Brothers, ran St. Vincent's orphanage for boys.[5]
He was a member of theNew York State Assembly (Oneida County, 1st District) in1861, and delegate to the 1867 New York Constitutional Convention. From 1870 until his death, Kernan served on theUniversity of the State of New York Board of Regents.[2]
He was elected as a Democrat to theThirty-eighth Congress, defeating RepublicanRoscoe Conkling, and served from March 4, 1863, to March 3, 1865. In Congress he rendered important service as a member of the judiciary committee. In 1864, he was defeated for re-election by Conkling.[2] Their political differences did not interrupt a warm personal friendship. As a member of the New York Assembly and the U.S. House during theAmerican Civil War, Kernan was a prominentWar Democrat, and was thoroughly in accord with the national government in its efforts to maintain the integrity of the Union. He showed so decided a spirit of justice and moderation that he was often consulted by PresidentAbraham Lincoln on matters pertaining to the conduct of the war.[6] He was instrumental in having the per capita tax on emigrants declared unconstitutional. In 1871, Kernan was an ally inSamuel J. Tilden's efforts to overthrow theTweed ring.[7]
In1872, he was the Democratic/Liberal Republican candidate forGovernor of New York, but he was defeated by RepublicanJohn Adams Dix.[2]
InJanuary 1875, Kernan was elected aU.S. Senator from New York, the first Catholic senator from New York[8] and its first Democratic senator in 24 years.[9] He served from March 4, 1875, to March 3, 1881, alongside Roscoe Conkling.[7] He numbered among his friendsHoratio Seymour,Samuel J. Tilden,Thomas F. Bayard,Grover Cleveland, and other distinguished Americans, and his counsel and advice were often sought by them.
At the1876 Democratic National Convention inSt. Louis, Kernan nominatedSamuel J. Tilden forPresident.[7] In 1880, Kernan received thehonorary degree ofLL.D. from Georgetown University.[3] InJanuary 1881, Kernan was defeated for re-election by RepublicanThomas C. Platt.
After Platt's resignation in May 1881, Kernan ran again for the Senate in the followingspecial election but was defeated by RepublicanWarner Miller.[10] At the Democratic convention of 1884, held at Chicago, he was not a delegate, but he was present at the special request of the leaders of his party and was one of the most efficient advocates, outside of the convention, for the nomination ofGrover Cleveland.
He represented Georgetown College at the Catholic Congress of laymen at Baltimore in 1889, and delivered a memorable address on that occasion. In charity he gave much, considering his means, as he was never a very wealthy man, to his church and to charitable institutions; and his legal advice was often freely given to the clergy and to Georgetown University.[6]
In 1843, Kernan married Hannah Avery Devereux, daughter ofNicholas Devereux of Utica, one of the principal patrons and benefactors of the Catholic Church and its charitable institutions in Central and Western New York. They were the parents of 10 children, including John Devereux, a railroad commissioner in New York.[2][11]
In the rancor of politics, "...his religious views were ruthlessly assailed, but during his whole public life no breath of suspicion was ever cast on...his character or the integrity of his action, in the discharge of the high trusts confided to him."[7] He was a great home-lover, with no fondness for the theatre, opera, or club life. He was fond of reading, of a game of cards, and was a fine conversationalist. Occasionally, but not often, he attended dinners and receptions in Washington and Utica. He often worked in his home at night over lawsuits and congressional speeches. In person he was tall, had a good figure, and an attractive, intellectual face. Without pretense or sham, he was one of nature's gentlemen. His old age was calm, genial, peaceful, and contented.[6]
Kernan died in Utica on September 7, 1892, and was interred at St. Agnes Cemetery in Utica.[2]
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain.
This article incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "Francis Kernan".Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company.
| Party political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Democratic nominee forGovernor of New York 1872 | Succeeded by |
| First | Liberal Republican nominee forGovernor of New York 1872 | Succeeded by None |
| New York State Assembly | ||
| Preceded by James McQuade | New York State Assembly Oneida County, 1st District 1861 | Succeeded by Charles M. Scholefield |
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
| Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromNew York's 21st congressional district 1863–1865 | Succeeded by |
| U.S. Senate | ||
| Preceded by | U.S. senator (Class 1) from New York 1875–1881 Served alongside:Roscoe Conkling | Succeeded by |
| Class 1 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 3 | ||
| International | |
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| National | |
| People | |
| Other | |
