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.
