History of Schuyler County New York United States of America

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Francis Kernan, senator, was born in Schuyler county, N.Y., Jan. 14, 1816. He attended Georgetown college, D.C., graduating in 1836 and then commenced the study of law. He removed to Utica, N.Y., in 1839, entered as a student the law office of Joshua H. Spencer, was admitted to the bar in July, 1840, and practised in partnership with Mr. Spencer. He was reporter of the court of appeals of New York, 1854-57; was a member of the state assembly in 1861, and a Democratic representative from the 21st district of New York in the 38th congress, 1863-65, defeating Roscoe Conkling. He was a candidate for re-election to the 39th congress, but was defeated by Mr. Conkling. He was a member of the constitutional convention of 1867; and although a Roman Catholic, he advocated the exclusion of sectarian schools from the benefit of state acts. He was a member of the commission to report to the legislature the proposed amendments to the constitution which were adopted in 1874. He was the Democratic candidate for governor of New York in 1872, but was defeated by Gert. John A. Dix. He was elected to the U.S. senate by the Democratic legislature to succeed R. E. Fenton, and took his seat, March 4, 1875, serving for the fall term expiring, March 3, 1881, and was defeated for re-election by Thomas C. Platt. He was a school-commissioner in Utica, N.Y., for over twenty years and a regent of the .University of the State of New York, 1870-92. He received the degree LL.D. from Georgetown university, Washington, D.C., in 1880. He died in Utica, N.Y., Sept. 7, 1892.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

History of Schuyler County New York

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