Thomas KEARNS, Congress, UT (1862-1918)

KEARNS, Thomas, a Senator from Utah; born near Woodstock, Oxford County, Ontario, Canada, April 11, 1862; moved with his parents to Holt County, Nebr., and attended the public schools; worked on a farm; engaged in the freighting business; moved to Salt Lake City, and afterward to Park City, Utah; interested in mining and operated several mines; served in the City Council of Park City in 1895; member of the State constitutional convention in 1895; elected as a Republican to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy in the term commencing March 4, 1899, caused by the failure of the legislature to elect, and served from January 23, 1901, to March 3, 1905; was not a candidate for reelection in 1904; resumed the mining business and resided in Salt Lake City, Utah, until his death on October 18, 1918; interment in Mount Calvary Cemetery.

Bibliography

Bringhurst, Newell G. “Thomas Kearns: Irish-American Builder of Modern Utah.” Journal of the West 31 (April 1992): 24-32.

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