Kernan family papers

Collection — Box: 1

Identifier: 874

Scope and content

Letters, an appointment book, newspaper clippings, pamphlets, drawings, certificates, engraved invitations, and a scrapbook concerning the activities of the Kernan family, notably Francis Kernan, John D. Kernan, and Elizabeth Kernan. The collection consists mainly of correspondence and documents concerning law cases and political activities involving Francis Kernan or John D. Kernan; but it also documents the Kernan family's social life and Elizabeth Kernan's experiences as a young woman growing up in New York State at the turn of the century. The scrapbook contains many calling cards and social invitations.

Dates

1809-1920.

Creator

Kernan family. (Family)

Language of Material

In English.

Biographical / Historical

The son of Irish immigrants, Francis Kernan was a lawyer and politician who moved to Utica, New York in 1839 and subsequently became a U.S. Senator from New York (1875-1881). Kernan also ran for Governor of New York (unsuccessfully) in 1872. Together, he, Roscoe Conkling, and Horatio Seymour, known as the "Utica trio" stood at the head of New York state politics in the 1870s. His son, John D. Kernan (1844-1922), a lawyer, was a member of the state Board of Railroad Commissioners from 1883-1887. He practiced law in New York City until 1904, and then served as manager of the Utica State Hospital from 1905-1920. He also served as an attorney for the New York Central Railroad and New York State Railways.