Frederick John KERN, Congress, IL (1864-1931)

KERN, Frederick John, a Representative from Illinois; born on a farm near Millstadt, St. Clair County, Ill., September 2, 1864; attended the public schools of Millstadt and Illinois State Normal University at Normal, Ill.; employed as a coal miner; taught in the public schools for five years; editor of the East St. Louis Gazette and in 1891 became owner of the Belleville News-Democrat; chief enrolling clerk of the State senate in 1892; unsuccessful candidate for election in 1898 to the Fifty-sixth Congress; elected as a Democrat to the Fifty-seventh Congress (March 4, 1901-March 3, 1903); unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1902 to the Fifty-eighth Congress; resumed his newspaper pursuits in Belleville, Ill.; mayor of Belleville 1902-1912; delegate to the Democratic National Conventions in 1904, 1908, and 1912; president of the State board of administration 1913-1919; died in Belleville, Ill., November 9, 1931; interment in Walnut Hill Cemetery.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present