23 Facts About Francis Kernan

Francis Kernan was an American lawyer and politician.

Francis Kernan then studied law with his brother in law Edward Quinn of Watkins Glen, New York, and moved to Utica, New York, in 1839 intending to pursue a legal career.

Francis Kernan completed his studies with Joshua A Spencer, was admitted to the bar in July 1840, and then practiced law in partnership with Spencer as Spencer and Kernan.

Francis Kernan later practiced in partnership with relatives as the senior partner of Kernan and Quinn, later Kernan, Quinn and Kernan.

From 1854 to 1857, Francis Kernan was Reporter of Decisions for the New York Court of Appeals.

Francis Kernan was a longtime Utica school board member, and a member of the board of managers of the New York State Hospital.

Francis Kernan 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.

Francis Kernan was a member of the New York State Assembly in 1861, and delegate to the 1867 New York Constitutional Convention.

From 1870 until his death, Francis Kernan served on the University of the State of New York Board of Regents.

Francis Kernan was elected as a Democrat to the Thirty-eighth Congress, defeating Republican Roscoe Conkling, and served from March 4,1863, to March 3,1865.

Francis Kernan was instrumental in having the per capita tax on emigrants declared unconstitutional.

In 1871, Kernan was an ally in Samuel J Tilden's efforts to overthrow the Tweed ring.

In January 1875, Francis Kernan was elected a US Senator from New York, the first Catholic senator from New York and its first Democratic senator in 24 years.

Francis Kernan served from March 4,1875, to March 3,1881, alongside Roscoe Conkling.

Francis Kernan numbered among his friends Abraham Lincoln, Horatio Seymour, Samuel J Tilden, Thomas F Bayard, Grover Cleveland, and other distinguished Americans, and his counsel and advice were often sought by them.

Francis Kernan showed so decided a spirit of justice and moderation that he was often consulted by President Lincoln on matters pertaining to the conduct of the war.

At the 1876 Democratic National Convention in St Louis, Kernan nominated Samuel J Tilden for President.

In January 1881, Kernan was defeated for re-election by Republican Thomas C Platt.

Francis Kernan represented Georgetown College at the Catholic Congress of laymen at Baltimore in 1889, and delivered a memorable address on that occasion.

In 1843, Francis Kernan married Hannah Avery Devereux, daughter of Nicholas Devereux of Utica, one of the principal patrons and benefactors of the Catholic Church and its charitable institutions in Central and Western New York.

Francis Kernan was fond of reading, of a game of cards, and was a fine conversationalist.

Francis Kernan often worked in his home at night over lawsuits and congressional speeches.

Francis Kernan died in Utica on September 7,1892, and was interred at St Agnes Cemetery in Utica.